This is an interesting article on KSL - also heard it on their radio station. The problem is when the news media adds it to their sensationalized reports then people are panicing and causing shortages where there wouldn't be any. You could buy rice at Sam's & Costco in the Salt Lake/Ogden area until the evening news reported problems in California - now you can't find it. People are waking up or panicing and it is causing a mess because you add that demand to the normal demand plus the reduced supplies. I won't be buying at these inflated prices or join the rush from store to store looking for rice, wheat, etc. It is time to stay home and enjoy the peace of mind from having prepared ahead of time.

Food storage company overwhelmed with orders
April 30, 2008
KSL.com

Food shortages around the world and a slowing U.S. economy have caused such a rush at a Utah food storage business that it's now turning customers away empty-handed. The Blue Chip food storage business makes and packages all kinds of long-lasting foods. But office manager Jeff Augason says business became too good, with too many orders and not enough food. "We've got so many orders that we're having to try to slow the flow and take care of the ones we've got," he said. He says the only similar rush he's seen was Y2K. And more foods keep running out. "It started with milk last summer. It's gone to wheat and now it's also into your rice and beans," he said. At the store, shelves sit empty for some items. Augason says he doesn't know when they'll be able to fill them. Augason says the company is limiting customers to the stock they have on hand.