Meijer, Festival Foods promote pumpkin for fall

Starbucks isn’t the only one breaking out the pumpkin flavor early this year. Retailers from Haggen to Whole Foods are trying to get customers excited about fall with special products and recipes.

Meijer brought back its limited edition Purple Cow Pumpkin Pie ice cream, much to the delight of Facebook fans.

At a Harvest Celebration Sept. 13, Haggen offered pumpkin bakery treats and pumpkin beers.

Festival Foods posted recipes for six pumpkin desserts on Pinterest.

As part of its weekly menu suggestions, Whole Foods included Haitian pumpkin soup.

With Americans going crazy for anything pumpkin-flavored — from beer to Oreos, according to the Washington Post’s Wonkblog — it’s no surprise retailers want to get in on the action.