Global Carrot 'Panic Buying' Planned
Julia Reid Updated:14:11, Monday January 28, 2008
Tens of thousands of people all over the world are planning to "panic-buy" carrots as part of a campaign that started as a joke on a social networking site.
Campaign on Facebook
Campaign on Facebook
More than 91,000 Facebook users have signed up to a Facebook group called "On May 15, 2008, everybody needs to go out and panic buy carrots".
They plan to go out at 2pm on the designated day and buy as many carrots as they can.
However, the idea has also caught the attention of critics, who say it is irresponsible to deprive shoppers of the "orangey goodness of everyone's favourite vegetable".
The opposing Facebook group "Don't add to world hunger, don't panic-buy carrots" has attracted just 29 members.
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Student Freya Valentine, who created the original site, insists it is all just a bit of fun.
"We know we're not going to cause a massive world-wide shortage," she said.
"To the carroty people who are saying this could never happen - maybe you should be thankful for the imminent rise we are probably going to make it your profits on May 15."
David Martin, vice-chairman of the British Carrot Growers' Association, is excited by the idea.
"It's an extraordinary proposition," he said.
Group has sparked spin-offs
Group has sparked spin-offs
"Purchasers can be assured they'll have a fine product in the middle of May - as long as they buy British carrots. Bring it on! Let's try and reach a million members!"
There is much debate on the site as to what to do with the spare carrots on the following day. But another Facebook group has sprung up to provide answers.
It proposes a day of "taproot-based generosity and carroty philanthropy" on May 16.
The 986 members plan to turn panic-bought carrots into soups and other carrot-related dishes, and deliver their produce to the needy and homeless.
The main site has a link to buy a carrot T-shirt and to carrot-related sites, and has off-shoot blogs and discussion pages across the web.
One particular enthusiast writes: "A carrot crisis on May 16! Far more interesting than Northern Rock etc. Bugs Bunny, eat your heart out!"
