Kraft is hoping to spread some Christmas cheer while alleviating a cream cheese shortage.
Kraft Heinz, which owns Philadelphia Cream Cheese, is offering $20 to customers who avoid using the popular product during a limited time, People reported.
The promotion is in response to a shortage of cream cheese, which is the main ingredient for cheesecake, a popular Christmas dessert.
“Unprecedented demand has left cream cheese shelves in grocery stores noticeably empty as people continue to use cream cheese as an ingredient in easy desserts and recipes -- and at breakfast time,” Philadelphia Cream Cheese said in a news release. “So, buy any dessert -- cookies, brownies, cupcakes -- and Philadelphia will reimburse the cost to replace your homemade cheesecake up to $20.”
Customers must make a reservation at SpreadTheFeeling.com on Friday and Saturday after noon EST each day. Kraft said that 10,000 reservations will be accepted on Friday and 8,000 on Saturday on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once a customer makes a reservation, it will be confirmed with a one-time online link that will be sent to the consumer.
After receiving confirmation, customers can buy a dessert for any amount, as long as they can provide a receipt dated between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, Kraft said on its website.
Beginning at 9 a.m. EST on Dec. 4 and through 11:59 p.m. EST on Jan. 4, 2022, the receipt can be used to redeem the $20 digital reward, CNN reported.
“This is not an empty shelf,” Philadelphia Cream Cheese said in a promotional video posted to YouTube. “It’s a holiday tradition waiting another year.”
“For the past 150 years, Philadelphia cream cheese has been a staple in American households, especially around the holidays,” Oguz said in a news release “As we continue to see elevated and sustained demand, we want to want to ensure that there’s enough cream cheese for bagels, cheesecakes, and everything in-between. We’re excited to share that we’re investing millions of dollars so Philadelphia cream cheese will be available to anyone that wants it, wherever they like to shop, for the next 150 years and beyond.”