why did banquet stop making tuna pot pies

The Mysterious Disappearance of Banquet Tuna Pot Pies

Banquet’s tuna pot pie was a beloved freezer aisle staple for generations. This budget-friendly portable meal featured a flaky crust filled with a creamy tuna casserole-like filling But without warning, Banquet suddenly discontinued their tuna pot pie, leaving loyal fans confused and disappointed So what happened to this convenience food classic?

The Rise and Fall of Tuna Pot Pies

Tuna pot pies became popular in the 1950s, when brands like Banquet made them readily available in grocery stores. The idea of topping tuna casserole with a pie crust made for a fun spin on the classic casserole. Banquet’s version used tuna, peas, and pasta in a creamy sauce, encased in a crispy, golden crust.

For decades, Banquet’s tuna pot pie was a top-seller and quick lunch or dinner option for generations of families But in the early 2010s, Banquet quietly removed it from their lineup with no official explanation. Within a few years, other brands followed suit and tuna pot pies disappeared from most supermarket freezer cases

Why Would Banquet Axe This Classic?

Banquet has never provided an official reason for discontinuing their tried-and-true tuna pot pie. But food industry experts have some theories on what led to its demise:

• Declining popularity – Over time, consumer tastes changed and interest in tuna pot pies faded. Sales likely dropped off, motivating Banquet to cut the underperforming product.

• Operational streamlining – Removing slower selling items allowed Banquet to focus production on top-sellers like chicken and turkey pot pies.

• Manufacturing costs – Ingredients, packaging and energy costs may have made it unprofitable to continue producing tuna pot pies at a low price point.

• Tuna sustainability – Growing concerns about overfishing tuna populations could have influenced the decision to remove the product.

While the real reason remains a mystery, it seems the tuna pot pie’s glory days had passed by the 2010s when Banquet abruptly pulled the plug.

How Consumers Reacted

Loyal tuna pot pie lovers were blindsided and outraged when the staple disappeared from stores. Social media channels like Facebook groups were flooded with consumers lamenting the loss and petitioning Banquet to bring it back. Many cited it as a favorite comfort food and cost-effective easy meal for their families that held nostalgic memories from childhood.

But their pleas went unanswered, and Banquet offered no response about the future of the product. Eventually resigned tuna pot pie devotees were forced to mourn the loss of this freezer aisle staple. Some tried replacing it with similar products like Marie Callender’s tuna pot pie, but to many, nothing compared to the original Banquet version.

Will Banquet Ever Resurrect Tuna Pot Pies?

Rumblings on social media indicate some consumers still hold out hope that Banquet will revive its tuna pot pie someday. Banquet does have a track record of bringing back discontinued classics in limited runs, like their boneless fried chicken. However, given that multiple brands moved away from tuna pot pies altogether, the likelihood of Banquet resuscitating this product seem very low.

The tuna pot pie occupied a specific moment in time when tuna casseroles were more in vogue. While those who grew up loving Banquet’s version may still crave it for the nostalgia and convenience, its limited appeal to modern consumers makes a comeback seem unlikely. For now, all tuna pot pie fans can do is follow online recipes to recreate this retro meal themselves at home.

Though we may never know the real reason why Banquet had a change of heart about this once-popular product, the tuna pot pie remains a fondly remembered bright spot in the history of convenience foods. For those who recall it fondly, this unique meal encapsulated the tastes of childhood in one neat little pie crust.