2020 was the first year where I was truly thankful that I knew how to prepare for food shortage because it actually happened.
In suburban Britain!
I was never so grateful for my little pantry stockpile than when we were faced with a lockdown, something I’ve never experienced before.
The shock of the difficulties every country in the world faced has led to all us experiencing some very difficult times.
Times when we all need to be thinking about building a food stockpile very quickly.
It’s not just in the UK that people are looking for food shortage solutions.
With projected food shortages and panic buying happening in every country (or so it feels like) how can we stop the panic and focus on what we need to do to ensure we have enough food?
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How to prepare for food shortage
When you prepare for a food shortage, what you are actually hoping for is that there will be no shortage.
You’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
But don’t let this thought pattern stop you from thinking about the best food for food shortage because this is an essential part of your planning.
Nor should you over-complicate your food stockpile preparations.
Building a stockpile for say, 30-60 days, is probably sensible right now for upcoming food shortages wherever you live.
But if you live more rural, with limited access to shops or are facing a downturn in your income in the coming months, then a bigger stockpile is likely required.
Emergency preppers will go as far as to stockpile enough food for a year. Although they do supplement their stockpile with home grown produce (which you can too).
But don’t choose any old available food, focus on buying foods and meals that you can prepare without any fresh ingredients because you just never know.
Your food stockpile is not just food of course.
Toilet paper seems to be something people panic more about than rice, bread or pasta!
what to buy in case of a food shortage? The Best food for food shortages
Some foods work so much better when you need to have a stockpile for something that may not happen and you could probably list some right away.
But when you are thinking about what you should buy for food shortages then it pays to spend some time working it all out.
The best way to work out how much food you are going to need to stockpile during a shortage is to plan out all your meals for an extended period.
Meal plan for say, 30 days, including snacks and food for the whole family.
The next step is list out all the ingredients you need for that meal plan, and the quantities required.
You need to factor in seasoning, herbs, spices, oil and other accompaniments that are very easy to overlook.
These ingredients are the best foods to stockpile because you know you’ll use them.
All these ingredients are about cooking from scratch, making your meals from the basic ingredients, much healthier and cheaper than food in a box.
What to stockpile for food shortages
When you are looking at what to buy in case of a food shortage you need to think long life and easy storage.
Of course, what you store will depend very much on your location, weather, access to shops, your budget and what food you are prepared to eat.
Here’s a basic food list of the things you will want to consider buying to stockpile in case a survival food shortage really does happen:
- Flour (white, wholemeal, self-raising)
- Rice
- Noodles
- Beans (dried and canned different varieties)
- Lentils
- Oats
- Pasta (different shapes, white & wholewheat)
- Sugar (white, soft brown, dark brown)
- Vegetable oil, olive oil
- powdered milk
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- spices and herbs
- Cans of soup
- Cans of vegetables
- Dried fruit
- Cans of fruit
- Cans of protein
- Peanut butter (a great protein)
- Nuts (variety of)
Although you are focused on food shortage solutions, it’s never just food that becomes in short supply.
So always remember to include the ever so important toilet paper along with other household items like:
- Batteries
- Washing powder
- Soap
- Cleaning supplies
- Toothpaste
- Vitamins
- Medicines
- First aid supplies
- Hand sanitizer
As we have seen this year, toilet paper was the first thing to fly out the doors, then bottled water, then flour.
Helpful storage products
Pantries and kitchens need effective storage. Creating a pantry stockpile requires organization. These are essential storage solutions you can use to store your stockpile and save money doing so.
53 Qt. Plastic Storage Bin Container with Durable Lid and Secure Latching Buckles
Large stackable containers with built in pull handle making easy access from a high shelf. Perfect bin storage for your pantry items.
Airtight Food Storage Containers Set, 14 PCS Kitchen Storage Containers with Lid
Perfect sizing for flour, cereals, pasta and more. Airtight, stackable and BPA-free. With re-suable labels so you always know what's in your stockpile.
Set Of 8 Refrigerator Organizer Bins - 4 Large and 4 Medium Stackable Plastic Clear Food Storage Bin with Handles for Pantry, Freezer, Fridge, Cabinet, Kitchen Countertops - BPA Free
It's not just your pantry that needs organizing. These stackable clear food storage bins with handles are ideal for your fridge and freezer.. BPA-free.
Tzerotone Glass Jars Set, Spice Jars with Wood Airtight Lids and Labels
These 6oz 12 Piece small food storage containers are perfect for storing your herbs and spices once you've started each packet.
Large Food Storage Containers 5.2L / 176oz, Vtopmart 4 Pieces
These BPA-free plastic airtight food storage Canisters are perfect for larger quantities of flour, sugar, oats and baking supplies. Comes with 4 measuring cups and 24 Labels.
Fruit Basket, 3 Tier Stackable Metal Wire Basket Cart with Rolling Wheels
Store fruit and veg to allow for air circulation with this uility rack for your pantry. Comes with 2 free hanging baskets you can use elsewhere for yet more storage.
How to prevent food shortages – Be sensible, be thoughtful
When you are looking at how to prep for food shortage, stockpiling food, mountains of it, is not sensible if you live in suburbia.
The stores can get more goods and there is only so much we can eat and use each day.
You might want to build your stockpile as quickly as possible but do keep in mind the message it could send other shoppers when they see your trolley load!
Food shortages can easily happen purely because people start to panic buy, having seen others seemingly do the same.
Earlier this year when toilet paper became rarer than hen’s teeth, it was very easy to fall into the mindset of buying much more than you needed if you ever saw toilet paper in the store.
I know I had to reassure myself that buying more than one 24 pack (for the 2 of us) was unnecessary because I already had a supply at home.
But the temptation was there just because I saw other people buying multiple packs. They probably had bigger families to buy for.
Add extra items to your regular shopping list and build up your supplies over a number of weeks.
Every family needs a stockpile but it makes sense to keep it to the right, sensible level for your circ*mstances.
No need to stockpile for a year if you have regular access to buy more and you have a regular income.
More importantly there are people who cannot afford to stockpile in case of a food shortage even though they would like to.
People who live paycheck to paycheck, people on welfare benefits. They need to be able to buy food very week, they cannot afford to buy in bulk.
But whatever your financial circ*mstances you must do the best for your family so learning how to prepare for a food shortage and building a stockpile is a very sensible thing.
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How to prepare for food shortage – Original, Helpful 2019 Article
Being a Brit is quite hard at the moment as we cannot get away from Brexit. We should have left the EU last week but we haven’t and we still don’t have a deal to agree on or work towards.
We might leave on April 12th, we might leave next month, or we might not leave at all!
Because of this, no one knows for sure what Brexit will mean in the immediate and foreseeable future and as we all know, uncertainty is scary.
That’s why many in the UK are preparing for any eventuality that may arise. Bristol Live reports that people in Bristol are even “stockpiling food, drink, medicine and other essentials, in the event of empty supermarket shelves on the day we leave the European Union.”
That seems drastic, but who can blame them, right?
Then again, anything can happen, especially in the event of a No-deal Brexit. The problem is that’s increasingly likely. The economic calendar on FXCM details how the upcoming parliamentary vote on Brexit will increase the chances of a no-deal exit if May’s plan isn’t voted through.
If this is the case, then an even more uncertain future is ahead for all of us. That being said, erring on the side of caution might not be such a bad idea after all.
Being a frugal soul I like to know where I am with my bills especially my food bill. Food being extremely important and all that. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to stockpile in case of a food shortage.
Don’t Panic, Plan
Andrew Rawson learned first hand the value of storing food years ago, when his village was hit by a snowstorm.
Now, he is sharing his knowledge of stockpiling through his self-published book Preparing for Brexit: How to Survive the Food Shortages. Rawson also shared some stockpiling advice with iNews, the first being, “Don’t panic.”
Keep calm and draw up a plan. Planning allows you to take note of everyone’s needs, including your pets.
Prioritize foods to stock up on
Hand-in-hand with the above advice is prioritization.
Before you go to the supermarket, think first about what’s best for you and your family, along with what each member will need both for the short and long term.
If possible, try and be specific. For instance, food is obviously a priority, but what food do you and your family need and want? Are there family members who have a specific diet?
Does anyone need particular medication or supplements? Ask these questions, as answering them can help you in prioritizing what to buy.
Be Wise With Food
While food is obviously a priority, be wary of storing perishables like fresh meat and poultry.
A supply of fresh proteins is all well and good, but only for three, four, maybe five days at the most, and only if they are stored properly.
In a Manchester Evening News ‘survival guide’ to Brexit, retired police officer James Patrick advises people to keep “extra non-perishable, shelf-stable food which can be prepared and cooked quickly and requires little water.”
Some of the food items include rice, instant noodles, grains, tinned fish, soup, and pre-cooked vegetables. Most importantly don’t forget to store plenty of water.
Be Money-Wise
Just because you’re stockpiling doesn’t mean you throw budgeting out the window. The opposite, in fact, is true. So, set a budget — and stick to it.
If you follow the tips in this post 30 of the Best Frugal Foods to Buy When You’re Broke then you will be able to focus on stockpiling healthy but cheap food to keep you on budget.
Included in the post are 12 meal ideas using your budget stockpile for you and your family.
Brexit is clearly pushing the UK to desperate times; and as the saying goes, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
Even then, there ought to be a method to these measures. The above tips serve that purpose, so keep them in mind when you do decide to stockpile in uncertain times.
This 2019 post was written by Patricia S. Day
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Last Updated on 22nd February 2023 by Emma
