Brett Arends, Wall Street Journal wrote:Load Up the Pantry
I don't want to alarm anybody, but maybe it's time for Americans to start stockpiling food.
No, this is not a drill.
You've seen the TV footage of food riots in parts of the developing world. Yes, they're a long way away from the U.S. But most foodstuffs operate in a global market. When the cost of wheat soars in Asia, it will do the same here.
Reality: Food prices are already rising here much faster than the returns you are likely to get from keeping your money in a bank or money-market fund. And there are very good reasons to believe prices on the shelves are about to start rising a lot faster.
"Load up the pantry," says Manu Daftary, one of Wall Street's top investors and the manager of the Quaker Strategic Growth mutual fund. "I think prices are going higher. People are too complacent. They think it isn't going to happen here. But I don't know how the food companies can absorb higher costs." (Full disclosure: I am an investor in Quaker Strategic)
Stocking up on food may not replace your long-term investments, but it may make a sensible home for some of your shorter-term cash....
Scott Mayerowitz, ABC wrote:Time to Stockpile Food?
A Guide to Preparing for Rising Food Costs or That Next Big Emergency
Worried about the dramatically rising cost of food? Afraid of a shortage?
Well, then maybe it's time to clean out that old Cold War-era bunker and stockpile your favorite treats. Just move those gas masks to the side and start stacking up the canned string beans.
OK, so maybe that is a bit extreme. But some families have been talking about stockpiling to hedge against further increases and possible shortages....
The Department of Homeland Security recommends that all families store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. The government suggest selecting foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Also, remember to pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Here are some other suggestions from the government on what to store:
Avoid salty foods, as they will make you thirsty.
Choose foods your family will eat.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal or granola
Peanut butter
Dried fruit
Nuts
Crackers
Canned juices
Non-perishable pasteurized milk
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Comfort/stress foods....
jimswside wrote:I dont forsee food riots, but perhaps I will prepare a half acre of my property I dont really use, and plant some crops.
aschie30 wrote:However, I did increase my usual summer CSA to a 20-week share (from a 12-week) figuring that it's kind of like hedging on the price of produce.
happy_stomach wrote:This will show where my priorities are. While others in this thread are stockpiling vegetables, in the last two months or so, I've been stockpiling Australian red licorice.
happy_stomach wrote:
It started in the last few months with strawberry Darryl Lee licorice selling out at I think all of Trader Joe's Chicago-area stores. At first, I thought it was just my TJ, but then I started hearing from different people that their TJs were no longer stocking it. I didn't believe these reports, so I started checking for myself. The red licorice had disappeared! I started worrying about my access to Australian licorice.
Cynthia wrote:happy_stomach wrote:
It started in the last few months with strawberry Darryl Lee licorice selling out at I think all of Trader Joe's Chicago-area stores. At first, I thought it was just my TJ, but then I started hearing from different people that their TJs were no longer stocking it. I didn't believe these reports, so I started checking for myself. The red licorice had disappeared! I started worrying about my access to Australian licorice.
World Market usually stocks Darrell Lea licorice in a few flavors -- at least they have had it every time I've gone. I fancy the mango, myself.
If it vanishes from World Market, a quick Google search for Australian licorice, Darrell Lea, turned up a wide range of sites that sell it -- plus a few sites that sell other Aussie licorice (including Kookaburra). You may not find bargains, like at Valli, but you may at least find a steady supply.
happy_stomach wrote:This will show where my priorities are. While others in this thread are stockpiling vegetables, in the last two months or so, I've been stockpiling Australian red licorice.
happy_stomach wrote:It started in the last few months with strawberry Darryl Lee licorice selling out at I think all of Trader Joe's Chicago-area stores. At first, I thought it was just my TJ, but then I started hearing from different people that their TJs were no longer stocking it. I didn't believe these reports, so I started checking for myself. The red licorice had disappeared! I started worrying about my access to Australian licorice.
aschie30 wrote:happy_stomach,
I have some very happy news for you which you may not have known - TJs has started restocking the red Australian licorice!.
riddlemay wrote:I'm surprised at all the people who consider catastrophe at least likely enough to prepare for--not because I don't consider it likely enough, but because I thought I was the only one. (Except I'm not doing anything to prepare, just worrying.)
Science Daily wrote:Some low-moisture foods such as dried apples can be safe to eat even years after their expiration date, if properly stored, food chemists say. They verified this in a tasting experiment of 28-year-old rolled oats. Heat, moisture and light can degrade food's nutritional value....
Katie wrote:What about beef right now? Buy and hold?
Jay K wrote:Katie wrote:What about beef right now? Buy and hold?
No. Buy and eat... preferably same day.
Put a bowl or ziplock bag of ice cubes in your freezer if you’re not going to be home while the power is off. If you get home and find they melted and refroze into a solid block, you know the freezer was out long enough that the food inside will need to be thrown out.