Kraft Will Pay Their Customers $20 to Not Make Cheesecake for Holidays

Are you planning to make cheesecake for the holidays? If yes, think again! Kraft, the maker of Philadelphia cream cheese, posted a video on social media, offering people to get paid to not make cheesecake this season. The promotion is Kraft’s solution to the nationwide cream cheese crisis. 

Based on the video, no cream cheese on shelves means no cheesecake on tables. That’s why Kraft offers to pay holiday shoppers who will try a different dessert. The company said they would reimburse $20 to 18,000 shoppers who buy other desserts or dessert ingredients as cream cheese supply remains scarce nationwide. Kraft suggested that customers can prepare other desserts such as brownies, cupcakes, or brownies instead.

How to Claim The Prize? 

To avail of the promotion, customers will have to register starting Friday (noon). Then, submit a receipt for a dessert purchase from December 17 until Christmas Eve. Kraft set up a website where US-based customers can sign up for the promo. 

Below are three steps on how to get paid not to make cheesecake, as mentioned on the dedicated website:

1. Starting Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., people have the chance to reserve a spot to claim a limited dessert reservation.
2. Then, use the link Kraft provides to buy any dessert with a dated receipt for a limited period from December 17 to December 24.
3. On December 28, 2021, from 8 a.m. to January 4, 2022, at 10:59 p.m., use the link to send a dessert receipt and a chance to receive a $20 digital reward.

The promo is open to legal US residents 18 years of age or older of the 50 United States (and DC). In addition, reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis until all spots are full. 

Why Are Customers Paid Not To Make Cheesecake?

The news about Kraft’s customers to be paid not make cheesecake comes as cream cheese is increasingly challenging to find in the country. During the lockdown in 2020, baking became popular. It resulted in high demand for cream cheese while leaving suppliers difficult to catch up. 

Then in October, a big company in the cheese supply chain had to close for days due to a cyberattack. 

Company and food distributor spokespersons said various factors contributed to the current crisis. In addition, Kraft looks at the shortages of truck drivers, factory workers, and packaging suppliers as the reasons for the deficiency in the cream cheese supply.

The Schmear Shortage

Aside from nearly empty grocery store shelves, the schmear shortage affected local restaurants. In December, Brooklyn cheesecake restaurant Junior’s reportedly had to suspend cheesecake production. It came after deliveries from Kraft became a major concern. As owners expect a supply chain holiday wonder, all they can do is hope that Junior’s cheesecake will restock by the New Year. 

Cream cheese was in demand even before this holiday season. Kraft told CNN Business that cream cheese prices surged by 18 percent from 2019 to 2020. That number remained high until now. But the high costs and shortage have also distressed New York bagel shops. Some shop owners also had to go to New Jersey to buy cream cheese personally. 

The Philadelphia cream cheese crisis is one of the many supply chain problems brought by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It continues to disrupt business operations in the US.

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