With meat shortages looming, some Wisconsin grocery stores limit purchases

A recent spate of coronavirus outbreaks at meat processing plants has threatened the meat supply in parts of the country. And now in Wisconsin, certain grocers have started limiting how much meat customers can buy.

Kroger, the company that owns Pick 'n Save and Metro Market, announced it is enforcing purchase limits on ground beef and fresh pork in some stores. Larger grocers are also expected to be out of stock on different types of meats soon.

Experts are warning customers not to stock up, but only for the next week or two.

"I would not rush out to try to buy all you can. I don't think that's a wise move for anybody," said Dr. Doug Fisher, a business professor at Marquette University.

The limits on meat purchases comes as meat processing plants across the country have shut down because of COVID-19.

The JBS facility in Worthington, which was shut down in mid-April, announced earlier this week the plant will partially reopen to help farmers safely and humanely euthanize their pigs. Right now there is no clear timeline for when the plant will be able to operate at full capacity.