Kasama town has reportedly been hit by a critical shortage of mealie meal.
A check by Radio Mano today in the central business area revealed that most of the outlets including Shoprite, National Milling and other shops did not have the commodity.
Only Kasama Milling had stocks of mealie meal going at K75 and K65 breakfast and roller respectively, although they were inadequate.
Some residents spoken to say they have been going round all retails shops in search of the staple food without success.
They added that the prolonged shortage of mealie meal has caused a lot of suffering among the residents.
And opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has called on ruling Patriotic Front Government to address the mealie meal shortage in Kasama.
UPND Northern Province party mobilization committee member, Everist Chella charged that it is uncalled-for to see people queuing for mealie meal 52 years after independence.