Reply #3: Mostly hype.

[Denninmi]

I think its pretty funny, reall. Libby's had a couple of bad crop years in a row at the Illinois plant where they grow all of the "pumpkins" which are actually a strain of Cucurbita moschata (butternut squash) known as "Dickinson Select". So, their supply of the canned stuff is down. But, it seems to be plentiful in every store I've been at around this area (metro Detroit).

HOWEVER, every farmers market and grocery store is bursting with fresh squash this time of year, and they keep them in storage for months. Just buy a fresh one and roast or nuke it, IMO.

And, if they run out of ALL squash and pumpkin, there are always sweet potatos!

I think they're just trying to sell more of it by creating hype.