Grape-Nuts Plans To Pay Any Fans Who Were Overcharged For Their 'Black Market' Cereal

If you're gaga over Grape-Nuts, and the pandemic-related shortage left you burning for the venerable breakfast cereal, you can take heart because the cereal — which disappeared from store shelves — is back in stock. And if you were desperate enough to hit the black market to shell out big bucks for a box to kill your craving, Post Consumer Brands says it's got your back (via PR Newswire). The company has announced it will give back to loyal fans, by handing out refunds if they picked up a box (or more) of Grape-Nuts with an inflated price tag.

Post says Grape-Nuts fans who spent more than $10 for a box, between November 1, 2020 and March 15 of this year, can get a partial reimbursement of up to $115. The refund covers the difference between the actual recommended retail price of a box and the amount which was eventually paid out. According to Post, the price for Grape-Nuts reached a whopping $110 "on the secondary market." Fans need only to submit a valid receipt by April 15, 2021 to prove the purchase was made (via Post Consumer Brands).

The program is meant to recognize the lengths that fans were willing to go to get their fix for the cereal that, according to CNN, contains neither grapes nor nuts, but is actually made from wheat and barley. "As a way to show our appreciation and thank these fans for their dedication, we want to repay the love by reimbursing them," Kristin DeRock, Grape-Nuts brand manager at Post Consumer Brands, said.

Cereal sales grew in 2020, thanks to the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders, which kept most people at home. But along with an increase in demand for the finished product came a tightening of supplies (via USA Today). As a result, boxed breakfasts like Grape-Nuts, and Kellogg's brands like Frosted Flakes, as well as its regular Corn Flakes became difficult to find, according to CNN. The Grape-Nuts shortage was expected to end in the spring but this beloved cereal ended up returning faster than expected. 

And while the pandemic is still far from over, at least Grape-Nuts fans know their favorite cereal is finally within their reach.