Cold weather elsewhere affecting produce in Milwaukee area

BROWN DEER (WITI) -- Officials are reporting a cold spell in the west and southwest has hurt crops and could affect produce supply and cost in the Milwaukee area.

Signs are posted in the produce department at Pick 'N Save stores in the Milwaukee area, letting shoppers know that because of unusually cold weather conditions in the west -- extreme in the part of the country may cause a shortage of certain items.

"We're hearing broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, some leafy lettuces, some tomatoes. If we start seeing some changes immediately then our customers will know what's going on. We're not going to be getting as many as we'd normally get. That's why we wanted to give our customers a heads up," Roundy's Spokeswoman Vivian King said.

Monique Gamache was shopping on Tuesday, January 15th and said she is concerned.

"Lettuce would concern me. There is no substitute for lettuce, and it's the only fruit or vegetable you can't buy besides fresh," Gamache said.

Gamache said she is also concerned about prices going up -- as are other shoppers.

"I would just try to find another kind of fruit because I like to have fresh produce at home," Karen Smith said.

As the crops recover, shoppers will have to be ready to make adjustments.

"You have to phase out the products and accept that you will not be able to find oranges. You can't find leafy greens. It's unfortunate, but I don't see many alternatives right now. There's not much you can do. You kind of have to deal with it and hopefully the weather turns," Spencer Fitzgerald said.

King says Roundy's looks around the world for their products and will continue to try to keep these affected items in stock.