I have been trying to put into words my observations on the continuing food shortages. And then this morning I saw the following video. Alaska Granny says it much better than I could.
Food Shortages Getting Worse Get Food While You Can - YouTube
Much of my food storage consists of home canned foods. Canning supplies in my area are nearly nonexistent. A couple of weeks ago I was able to score two cases of quart jars. I haven't seen regular sized canning lids for nearly a year. Thankfully, a dear friend sent me a dozen boxes. I will be filling jars with meat from my freezer and canning it over the weekend. Meat doesn't get freezer burned while in jars.
So far, the store where my grocery delivery service shops is reasonably well stocked, although I have noticed more substitutions for what I order than were previously common. And packaging sizes seem to be shrinking but the prices don't.
My crystal ball is in the shop, so I have no idea where all of this is leading. I just know that now is not the time to slow down with the preps.
I don't do what I do out of boredom or as a hobby or for any other reason than to make sure my family is taken care of no matter what happens.
Keep stacking it to the rafters. We do not want to be one of those who wonders where the next meal is coming from.
Yup, been seeing empty shelves in both Kroger and Walmart for the last month. Not just food, either; went to buy underwear/undershirts for DH last week, and had to go to a couple of stores to find them. Good news is that canning lids have become available again in our area at a reasonable price, so I get 2-3 boxes of them every time I go to Walmart. My approach lately has been to buy things when I see them, rather than put it off. Even if they're actually available later, they will surely be more expensive.
ReplyDeletechipmunk...I think the shortages you are seeing will continue. Good for you on finding canning lids. All canning supplies have been scarce here. I used to shop sales but now I get what I need when I can, no matter the price. We don't know what will disappear from the shelves tomorrow.
DeleteSurely you don't mind paying more for a burger so that someone else can can a cheaper education.
ReplyDeleteI mind paying more for a burger no matter what the reason, Ed. But mostly I resent paying more when the reason for the price hike is ignorance or stupidity.
DeleteThe way things are going, the more I am convinced we should expect to be completely on our own during any crisis. The politicians and so called leaders could care less about the needs of the people. Stack supplies to the rafters folks!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure we are already on our own, CW. Sure seems that way. I hear a whole lot of talk coming from DC, but no action to help those who are already suffering. As we have said before, we will need every crumb!
DeleteVicki~ I was talking with a friend that moved to Arkansas a while back. They bought 10 acres of land and have been busy figuring out how make make it off grid for the last two years. Luckily she bought grains for long term storage and a grinder. Her Daughter-in-law already does canning and her Husband started a compost pile within the week of being there. She said the local Wally was half stripped. Luckily Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson are on duty 24/7 as are the game cameras. Bette was right. It's going to be a bumpy ride and not for just a night. I'd say years. Red
ReplyDeleteI would bet that as people wake up to the direction our country is headed, there will be more and more looking for solutions like your friend did. You are spot on with Bette's observation. This will not be fixed any time soon. Buckle up!
DeleteI guess we'll either live or we'll die.
ReplyDeleteThose are the choices, Gorges. I'd kind of like to stick around a bit longer, if for no other reason than to annoy my kids. :)
DeleteVicki,
ReplyDeleteIt's not just food shortages. It's just that those are the ones we can see. My husband was speaking with a friend who serves on some kind of medical board for the state. They were essentially given a gag order and threatened about mentioning any shortages of medicines and medical supplies. (The guy loves to talk and couldn't help from spilling a few beans.) The hospitals are almost out of gloves and other PPE, and they are just about out of some little piece needed for IVs. I don't know what else they're having a hard time getting.
If you don't have medical supplies, now's a really good time to remedy that.
Jennifer...I am also seeing reports of shortages in over-the-counter medications, auto parts, farm machinery parts, electronic components. Actually, shortages are being seen in virtually every category of goods. I expect that silence is being maintained by some to avoid panic buying. Even so, now is a good time to look into getting whatever it is that is needed. We just do not know how long it will take to get what we need if we don't get it now.
Deletei do my shopping online with walmart, mostly, due to mobility issues. so i don't know about empty shelves. but there are usually a few things they are out of. but the worst is the price increases!! looks like as much as 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 times as much on the things that i buy. where is this 5% inflation we hear about? so glad we've stacked. and people - don't be too proud to try the food bank. ours is amazing - and much needed!
ReplyDeleteI use a grocery delivery service for the same reasons you do your shopping online, so I am not seeing what the store shelves look like. But others tell me about slim pickings in some local stores. Price increases are hitting my area. Last week I ordered a family pack of chicken that turned out to be half the size it was a month ago, but the same price as the larger package. My grocery bills have increased substantially within the past couple of months. I don't expect that will get better any time soon.
DeleteIt's hit & miss here in the Wild, Wild West, Vicki. Our MO these days is "If you see it and know you'll use it down the line, BUY IT!" I'm retired military. My wife said that the commissary at the local air base is just as bad, so it's not just a regional thing.
ReplyDeleteMy take on this may be tin hat stuff, but the powers that be are blaming supply chain issues, COVID, worker shortages, trucker shortages, and whatever they can blame for the insane prices. Fact is, no one is blaming the biggest issue of all; the rampant money printing over the last two years! I truly don't think this inflation is "transitory." I think this is jus the beginning... Stock up, folks!
Pete...Your tin hat is not on too tight, and neither is mine! What is happening is all too real. And I firmly believe that this whole mess we find ourselves in has been orchestrated. It is all about control.
DeleteI don't think this will end any time soon. There are still many who will not comply. I am doing much the same as you are. Buy what I need now, for next week it might just be gone. Stacking it to the rafters has become necessary. Take care.
Spot on!
Delete😊
Deletethe tv news yesterday had a banner running at the bottom of the screen that said something like 'food shortages expected, but don't panic'. This morning, there's a news article on my home page feed...things are going to get bumpy here fast I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm testing out a homemade salsa creation that I created from various garden produce frozen from last summer. It smells amazing -if it is I'll be hooped, I didn't write down what I was combining. LOL
Take care all,
SJ in Vancouver BC Canada
SJ...I think things are about to get bumpier both here and there. I have been watching the progress of the "Freedom Convoy" of truckers headed for Ottawa to protest the vax mandates for drivers crossing the border. From what I have seen, it isn't that the drivers object so much to the vax. It is that resent being told that they 'have to.' Here in the States we get lots of items from Canada. If the trucks are in a Freedom Convoy, they aren't making deliveries. Because the potato in charge put the same mandates on American drivers, that will affect what Canada gets from us. Both sides may live to regret such insane overreach.
DeleteThis jab mandate is plain wrong. My husband is a trucker and was prepared to quit his job had the Supreme Court not voted against it. Healthcare is in a hot mess right now because of the mandate. Plenty of nurses (including myself) want to work, but refuse the jab. I refuse to call it a vax, as it is anything but that. Smart move stockpiling!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, A Dime at a Time...When government tells us we have to do something that should be personal choice, that right there is reason enough for me to decline. And you are right. It is not a vax. Some of my family who have had all three shots came down with the virus. I figure that God gave me a functional immune system that so far is working better than any shot. I have been exposed 2 - maybe 3 - times now with no problems.
DeleteHave you been following the Canadian "Freedom Convoy" of truckers to Ottawa to protest the mandates for crossing the US/Canadian border? Truckers from all over Canada have joined in. It is amazing and I support them. If we lose our drivers over stupid mandates, it is all over but the crying. Stockpiling, Yes. To the rafters!
Amen to our God-given immune systems! I found your blog via OneFamilyOneIncome. So happy to have found a like-minded blogger!
DeleteI haven't been following the Freedom Convoy but I will be checking it out. My dh follows trucking news, so I'm sure he has read about it. There has been a trucker and nursing shortage even pre-covid days. And the government thinks mandating a jab will help the situation? Hospitals and nursing homes are NOT at capacity. Units have been shut down due to lack of staff.
And I best not even get started on the useless masks people think are providing them protection. Insanity!
A Dime at a Time...I so appreciate your stopping by and commenting. We like minded folks need to stick together.
DeleteThe Freedom Convoy began as a protest of the virus restrictions concerning border crossings. Now it seems to have taken on a life of its own with at least 50,000 truckers from all over Canada heading for Ottawa by Saturday. It is all about freedom from mandates and government interfering in their daily lives. They are so done with it all. And the roads and overpasses are lined with people supporting the drivers. Would that we do the same!
I am in Minnesota. Our governor is drunk on power and mandates. My son had a mask that said, "This mask is as useless as our governor." He got 'thumbs up' whenever he wore it to the grocery store that required masks. :)
I'm happy to have found a like-minded blogger! Far too many sheep out there. It baffles me how many supposedly educated people can't see through all this garbage being shoved down our throats.
DeleteI'm not too far from you. I'm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
ADaaT...I'm not so sure that people know how to think for themselves anymore. Too many now expect government to take care of them from cradle to grave. I am 75 years old. My generation and those before me and perhaps my children's generation just went ahead and did what needed to be done without expecting anything except what they worked for. Not so now, for the most part.
DeleteAh Michigan. I hear your governor isn't any smarter than ours. :) Beautiful country, though.