Do you have enough food in your house?

[Dr.Colosso]

They are now warning here that you need to have enough for 72 hours. My ex wants to go to Germany and buy a lot of can food. I'll join and tell my mom cause she never has anything extra. He also has an aggregate.

 

[CallMeKate]

They are now warning here that you need to have enough for 72 hours.

Is there a reason given for the warning? And yes, I have plenty for 72 hours and more.

 

[Been There]

I agree with Kate. I have plenty of food.
I went to market yesterday and bought some fresh vegetables and a few fruits. I make a salad everyday for lunch and drink a glass of many different choices that are healthy. I also bought some huge white grapes that are super sweet.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

Is there a reason given for the warning? And yes, I have plenty for 72 hours and more.

Mainly international tensions.

Mark Rutte, as NATO Secretary General, warned in speeches in December 2025 and 2024 that NATO must prepare for a possible war, as Russia poses a significant threat and NATO may be the next target. He called for a faster and more aggressive defense and mental preparation, emphasizing that Russia is prepared to take high losses and that it is "time to prepare for war as our grandparents knew it."

But now there's also Greenland, so I don't know if it's only a good thing to do for Europe.


Copy pasted:
The Netherlands is preparing for a potential 72-hour power outage, a scenario considered realistic by grid operators and the government due to peak loads, cyberattacks, or international tensions. The government launched the "Think Ahead" campaign to inform citizens about preparing an emergency kit (with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a radio, etc.) and an emergency plan, as emergency services cannot be everywhere during the first 72 hours. This is a European directive requiring everyone to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours.
Why 72 hours?
Self-reliance: The first 72 hours are the most critical period in which emergency services focus on the most serious problems, ensuring that citizens can survive independently.
European directive: The EU advises member states to prepare residents for 72 hours without power, water, or internet.
Causes of a prolonged power outage:
Peak loads on the electricity grid.
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
Physical damage to cables (e.g., due to excavation work). International tensions or extreme weather.
What should you pack in your emergency kit?
Water: Approximately 9 liters per person (for drinking, cooking, and washing).
Food: Non-perishable products (canned goods, dried fruit, nuts).
Light: Flashlight with extra batteries.
Information: Battery-powered or dynamo-powered radio.
First aid kit.
Hygiene: Disinfectant gel, toilet paper, wet wipes.
Heat: Blankets.
Money: Cash, as card payments may not be accepted.
Documents: Copies of important documents.

 

[outlander]

I always have a minimum of at least two weeks of non-perishable food items, 10 gallons of drinking water, as well as a solar set up that will power all my basic needs including a small refrigerator/freezer.

 

[CallMeKate]

Thank you for explaining all that. Of course, I knew of worldwide tensions, but hadn't realized that tangible steps like this warning are already being put into place. Frightening, isn't it?

 

[KSav]

That's unsettling, @Dr.Colosso.

It's also a good reminder to go through and re-check my own emergency kit items and ensure nothing has expired.

 

[Michael Z]

Enough for a good 720 hours in our house, but we would run out of vegetables in about a week.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

We bottle and can our own foods so have a whole basement full. We probably have months full of food in case there’s a power outage. We also have litres of extra fuel for our generator, just in case. We are very prepared for whatever life has to throw at us.

 

[old medic]

We both grew up being nearly self-sufficient country folks. 72 hours.... we would be good for 72 days...
Last hurricane no power for 10 days and still had some of our 7 gallons of gas left....

 

[Jules]

Yes, definitely have enough food, even though I may be bored with it after a couple of weeks. We’re told to be prepared for the Big One (earthquake) and other natural disasters. I don’t have a generator.

The possibility that you have this warning because of international tensions is sad.

 

[George1959]

They are now warning here that you need to have enough for 72 hours. My ex wants to go to Germany and buy a lot of can food. I'll join and tell my mom cause she never has anything extra. He also has an aggregate.

Why to Germany? Is there no can food available in the Netherlands?

 

[Dr.Colosso]

Why to Germany? Is there no can food available in the Netherlands?

A lot of groceries are way cheaper in Germany. We save hundreds. Holland has sugar taxes, meat taxes and whatever nonsense taxes. People come from the other side of the country and then it's still cheaper. Especially if they want alcohol or cigarettes. If you go to Kleve or another place just over the border, we go to Kaufland: the place is packed with Dutch people. The parking lot is full of Dutch cars. Even the cashier last time spoke Dutch. Announcements are also in Dutch.

 

[HoneyNut]

The few times the power was out and I needed to eat what I had thought was my reserve of food, I discovered that I didn't want to eat what I had. Realistically if I need a food reserve it would need to be comfort food, like maybe Poptarts.

 

[hollydolly]

They are now warning here that you need to have enough for 72 hours. My ex wants to go to Germany and buy a lot of can food. I'll join and tell my mom cause she never has anything extra. He also has an aggregate.

..sorry....what do you mean he has an aggregate ?

yes I have enough food to last probably 2 weeks...

Why does your ex have to go to Germany to buy canned food... can't you get it in the Netherlands ?

 

[C50]

I'd be good for a week or so of normal eating, I like to eat fresh foods so I buy week to week. I do have some pantry items that I could eat and stretch it out for at least two weeks, after that I'm hunting squirrels.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

..sorry....what do you mean he has an aggregate ?

yes I have enough food to last probably 2 weeks...

Why does your ex have to go to Germany to buy canned food... can't you get it in the Netherlands ?

Oh lol it's a power or electric generater. Google translate first said aggregate.

It's way cheaper there. We go shopping there once a month.

 

[StarSong]

So Cal is earthquake country so self-reliance is drilled into our heads for exactly the reason the Netherlands describes - emergency personnel cannot be everywhere when an emergency occurs.

Having once lived through a big quake, we know to always have a big back up of food and potable water. We maintain at least 40 gals of bottled water on hand. Every summer they get dumped into the pool, then are freshly filled with purified water. The water heater also contains 50 gallons.

Our pantry contains at least two months worth of food because I keep it well-stocked and purchase nonperishables when they're on sale. Example, Costco just had peanut butter on sale so last week I bought a year's worth, i.e., 3 twin packs totaling 18 pounds altogether. (We love PB as do our grandkids). The PB's "best buy date" is nearly 2 years from now, so no worries about it going rancid before it's used up.

Granted, the meals might become repetitive and um, interesting, after the first few weeks, but there'd be enough calories and nutrients to survive for quite a while.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

I'd be good for a week or so of normal eating, I like to eat fresh foods so I buy week to week. I do have some pantry items that I could eat and stretch it out for at least two weeks, after that I'm hunting squirrels.

Oh you're right. 72 hours is nothing. I was so worried about my mom, but they always buy for a week. And she has loads of dried plums.

 

[TeePee]

Thank you for explaining all that. Of course, I knew of worldwide tensions, but hadn't realized that tangible steps like this warning are already being put into place. Frightening, isn't it?

I don't think the US is too far behind them. Who knows? Tensions are pretty high here also.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I buy many non perishable items in bulk. I buy frozen versions of most produce. I have good cabinet space in our apartment and have found clever ways to store the extra food. So yes, we have plenty.

 

[smiley]

for how many persons please?

 

[Aunt Bea]

After reading your list I would say that water would be my weak spot.

I have enough food and prescriptions to last about a month with electricity and about two weeks without electricity.

Charging my phone and staying connected with the outside world would be a major concern.

The good news is that in 71 years, I’ve never faced a situation that I wasn’t able to muddle through.

 

[Naturally]

All this talk about food is making me hungry

 

[Lavinia]

It's only common sense to have a supply of tinned and packaged food. You never know when you might fall ill or have an accident. My main concern is food for my pets. I never wait until I've run out before stocking up.