How much food do you have stored? How long would it last if you couldn't shop?

Question

I keep thinking about storing extra food and rotating through it, so I have enough on hand in case of an emergency or serious economic depression. How much do you have on hand, and what advice do you have?

Answer 1

I don't bother to have more than a couple of weeks, but I live in a stable area with a mild climate. A month's worth might be better if your area has extremes. Most supermarkets only have a few days food so stocking up at the last minute may not be practical.

Dried foods like rice or pasta keep well. Sugar keeps indefinitely. Personally I like fish so I keep cans of various types in stock. Canned foods in general keep well, but pick things you like to eat! Also have some stuff that can spice things up and ring the changes a bit if you do have to rely on your supplies.

Depending on your climate you might like to keep some tap water in bottles in case your supply is cut off or rendered undrinkable - you probably have a better idea than me how often this happens.

You also need to think about how you are going to cook your food, especially if there is a power cut. You can get gas stoves, but take great care to use them safely and with proper ventilation. Going camping with someone who knows what they are doing might be useful to get experience.

I'm not sure a depression would affect your ability to buy basic foods. Money and its value tend to be the problem then. Personally I wouldn't worry about it. If you are really keen and live in a rural area you could keep domestic animals like hens or goats, but they do require care and upkeep.

If your area is frequently hit by natural problems then plan accordingly. If it is likely you will have to evacuate, then large amounts of food wouldn't be practical to move anyway.

My final suggestion is don't overdo it. Emergencies happen much less frequently than we fear.

Answer 2

None, but I know I am stronger than my neighbors. If it comes to it, I can just take their food.