What did you stock up with

Aunt Bea said:
The conditions in the local grocery stores have me a bit rattled so I started thinking about the shelf-stable pantry items I have on hand that would be helpful in a short term emergency.

I have to admit that my selection will be pretty grim if we have a disruption in the utilities or municipal water supply.

I think I'll stash some tap water in the fridge just in case.

This link was helpful to me.

https://extension.colostate.edu/dis...y-supply-of-shelf-stable-food-for-one-person/

I'm curious to know what if any preparations other have made.

Thanks, B
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Most who live in natural disaster areas (EQs for me) have had it drilled into our heads that we could be on our own for 3-7 days, and therefore should always have at least that much backup food and water. Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, EQs have no "season" or advance warning.

The Northridge quake hit my house, neighborhood and general area very hard at 4:31 AM on January 17, 1994, Martin Luther King Day. Gas, water and power were gone in 15 seconds. We had more than enough water and food, but many were scrambling by 8:00 am that very morning. Out of diapers, milk, etc. No back up batteries, water, or cash in their houses. Nearby stores were trashed and without power they couldn't ring up orders anyway.

The good news is that we who had shared with those who didn't. We all soldiered through and our neighborhood grew the strongest I'd ever seen it. I'm already seeing that same mentality in this crisis - neighbors are asking others if they have what they need, offering to pick things up when they go shopping, etc.

So, Aunt Bea, to get back to your question, we ALWAYS have lots of fresh filtered tap water stored up. Over 40 gallons, not including what's in my water heater. More food than we could possibly eat over a two month period. Camping stove and BBQ with full propane tanks to supply them, ditto with our RV's propane. We do this not only for ourselves, but in case our kids or folks in our neighborhood need help.

We have a fairly large house and a two car garage that hasn't seen an automobile since moving in 35 years ago, so storage space isn't a problem.

My ongoing list of supplies looks a lot like the one @hollydolly posted above except we don't eat meat and the only dairy I stock is to make pizza (10 lbs of shredded mozzarella in the freezer). 25 lbs of bread flour, 10 lbs all purpose flour, 15 lbs sugar, plenty of olive and vegetable oils.

I accumulated this little by little and always rotate our stock.
 

Living out in "the back of beyond", like Don we normally keep a good supply of things on hand. At the beginning of this month we added a little to our supplies but for the most part we were in pretty good shape.

A few of suggestions for those who are currently storing more than that to which they are accustomed. If you don't already do this:
1. Use a marker to write the date of purchase (month and year) on items in storage. Try to use the oldest things first.
2. Before freezing, separate meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, &c. into usable portions and store in dated freezer bags.
3. Keep a small notebook near you freezer listing what's in it. Update it whenever you add or remove things.

Based on our experience, these simple steps will help ensure that your supplies remain reasonably fresh and that you don't end up having to throw away food that's outstayed its welcome.

ETA: Did you know that you can freeze raw eggs (shelled), cheese, yogurt, butter, and cottage cheese? :)
 

My little freezer compartment is well stocked so I'll be fine if the electricity stays on.

If the electricity goes out I will also lose the ability to cook. It will be peanut butter or sardines on crackers, fruit or pudding snack cups, and dry cereal but I'll make it work.

I need to look for a box of these little 6 3/4 ounce shelf-stable milk cartons when I go out to shop this Friday they would go a long way in helping with the cereal that I already have on hand.

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Maybe add a couple of boxes of meal replacement bars.

I suppose it's all about adjusting to a new way of thinking about what is important.
 
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Aunt Bea said:
My little freezer compartment is well stocked so I'll be fine if the electricity stays on.

If the electricity goes out and I also lose the ability to cook it will be peanut butter or sardines on crackers, fruit or pudding snack cups, and dry cereal but I'll make it work.

I need to look for a box of these little 6 3/4 ounce shelf-stable milk cartons when I go out to shop this Friday they would go a long way in helping with the cereal that I already have on hand.

images


Maybe add a couple of boxes of meal replacement bars.

I suppose it's all about adjusting to a new way of thinking about what is important.
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exactly that's the milk I use all the time, not just in a crises... I usually buy a whole box of 6 but currently the supermarkets are rationing just 2 cartons per customer ..instead of allowing a box of 6 to be sold , so I'm pleased I already got mine.

I also have lots of Oatmeal which again I would usually have at home and even if you only ate oatmeal it would be a nutritious meals for weeks.. , ,., and like you Bea.. I have a stock of canned fish, and stuff that can easily be eaten cold if the power goes..

We've got candles.. and torches (which we had already).. but the torches are re-charegeable (usb), so I bought a couple of cheap ones that take batteries, and bought a pack of batteries, because in a power cut there will be no re-charging anything...
 
I started stocking up before the virus even hit. I just like having lots of things available. Plus since I no longer drive, I have my son pick up as much as he can and so do I...whenever I can. My son is very busy, works long hours and I don't want him to have to go to the store (usually Costco) for me too often. Stocked up on pouch tuna, pasta sauce and whole grain pasta, all kinds of snacks, shredded cheeses, my water enhancers, canned goods (ravioli, a variety of soups and vegetables). I buy in bulk from Costco so I have 3 cases of almond milk, a case (of 36 single serve) organic apple sauce , hot and cold cereals, peanut butter, big bag of frozen spinach ravioli, turkey and salmon burgers, a bundle of 30 large rolls of toilet paper (I'd have two if they weren't sold out) and bottled water. I have almost a case each of baby wipes and disinfectant wipes, 3 boxes of alcohol swabs, a bottle of alcohol, two bottles of peroxide, acetomenaphen and plenty of bandaids.
 
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Tommy said:
Living out in "the back of beyond", like Don we normally keep a good supply of things on hand. At the beginning of this month we added a little to our supplies but for the most part we were in pretty good shape.

A few of suggestions for those who are currently storing more than that to which they are accustomed. If you don't already do this:
1. Use a marker to write the date of purchase (month and year) on items in storage. Try to use the oldest things first.
2. Before freezing, separate meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, &c. into usable portions and store in dated freezer bags.
3. Keep a small notebook near you freezer listing what's in it. Update it whenever you add or remove things.

Based on our experience, these simple steps will help ensure that your supplies remain reasonably fresh and that you don't end up having to throw away food that's outstayed its welcome.

ETA: Did you know that you can freeze raw eggs (shelled), cheese, yogurt, butter, and cottage cheese? :)
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Those are good tips. I have a vacuum sealer so I can buy larger packages of meat, then vacuum seal into smaller portions.

I freeze butter and eggs (crack 3 into a bowl, lightly beat them, then pour into a small freezer bag, gently press the air out. Freeze flat.) I have never tried freezing cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese.
 
Dry creamer, coffee, frozen foods, canned goods, toilet paper, paper plates, alcohol, liquid hand and bar soap, dish and laundry detergent, bottled water (just cause our tap water tastes terrible). We are so close to stores we don’t normally buy a lot at one time, but we did get started earlier than most.

Walmart was pretty well stocked Saturday afternoon, and not very many people there, to my surprise. Even got some hand sanitizer. Most in demand items were one or two per customer. To be honest, the grocery chains have done a good job here keeping the shelves stocked, at least after the initial panic buying.
 
@JB in SC Maybe now that they've got their stock maybe things will slow a little. I think they're just getting started here and they're talking another 8 wks here. I think things are gonna get worse this week unfortunately.
 
Small shopping trip yesterday, I wanted to see what was going on. One store had people lined up outside, new regulations here limiting the number of people gathering. Also some severe limiting in quantities. Paper towels and TP limiting to 2 packages. (those shelves were empty) Bread, mostly empty also except for those baked there. Two stores were changing hours and creating a senior's shopping hour from 8 to 9 am.
Good moves , this is a cottage area and now most people from the big cities have come up to their cottages. Unless supplies to this area are increased we could be in trouble. Was told about several fights one in the line up another inside. Both dealt with by store workers.
I have to praise these people, they are dealing with situations most of us avoid on a daily basis. I made sure to thank them before I left.
 
I also have plenty of beverages. I have two cases of Izze sparkling fruit juices. One of my kitchen cabinets if full of a variety of teas including several boxes of Bromley decaf green tea and Bigelow Vanilla Chai tea. I have enough Folgers instant decaf to last more than a year. Besides the aforementioned bottle water, I use a Brita pitcher for which I have plenty of filters.
 
MarciKS said:
@JB in SC Maybe now that they've got their stock maybe things will slow a little. I think they're just getting started here and they're talking another 8 wks here. I think things are gonna get worse this week unfortunately.
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Perhaps when the “essential businesses only” becomes a reality, the situation will improve somewhat.
 
We stocked up on a few things, but not to any excess:
Prescription Meds
Prescription Cat food & treats
Dog food & dog treats
Some extra meat, canned goods, nuts, dried fruit, beans, other staples, and ice cream (of course).
About $2.5K in 20 dollar bills (it won't go bad).
We already had plenty of propane fuel, sugar for the hummingbird feeders, paper products, and batteries.

I find that I will need to get some more bird feed for the seed eaters, and some more coffee beans in a couple of weeks.
 
We usually have enough to last us 4-6 weeks. We just bought some extra fresh produce. What I have been doing is reading up passing time at home. Games, spending time with kids, managing the claustrophobia in small homes with no yards, and a whole bunch of things. Here's one on handling social distance. It's a good time to explore new recipes with the produce one has!
 
Empty said:
Tomorrow, I'm going out to buy parakeet food - seeds and sprouting mix. I called to check on availability, and my local store was out of their favorite seed. My four feathered friends depend on me and with so many businesses closing, I worry about the supply chain.
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Are you afraid they will call you "CHEEP"? cheep, cheep, (joking)
 
Pecos said:
We stocked up on a few things, but not to any excess:
... Prescription Cat food & treats, Dog food & dog treats...
sugar for the hummingbird feeders...I find that I will need to get some more bird feed for the seed eaters...

This is really important for pets with special needs! Supply chain issues will just keep getting worse. Our critters depend on us. Please, please try to get the food and meds they may need ASAP. These are things that DO need to be stockpiled at home!
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Tommy said:
Living out in "the back of beyond", like Don we normally keep a good supply of things on hand. At the beginning of this month we added a little to our supplies but for the most part we were in pretty good shape.

A few of suggestions for those who are currently storing more than that to which they are accustomed. If you don't already do this:
1. Use a marker to write the date of purchase (month and year) on items in storage. Try to use the oldest things first.
2. Before freezing, separate meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, &c. into usable portions and store in dated freezer bags.
3. Keep a small notebook near you freezer listing what's in it. Update it whenever you add or remove things.

Based on our experience, these simple steps will help ensure that your supplies remain reasonably fresh and that you don't end up having to throw away food that's outstayed its welcome.

ETA: Did you know that you can freeze raw eggs (shelled), cheese, yogurt, butter, and cottage cheese? :)
Click to expand...

This is great advice. Wish I had used it sooner. Not wanting to shop due to coronavirus, I dove to the back of fridge, freezer, and cabinets. Discovered that grain-based/seed things that came in the stiff clear wrap had absorbed something nasty from the wrap - tried eating it anyway. Had to spit stuff out. From now on, I'll transfer such things to class containers. I really hate wasting food.
 

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