Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have grown more acute in recent weeks as new problems like the fast-spreading omicron variant and severe weather have piled on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages that have plagued retailers since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Benjamin Whitely headed to a Safeway supermarket in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to grab some items for dinner. But he was disappointed to find the vegetable bins barren and a sparse selection of turkey, chicken and milk.