From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Empty Shelves IV

29 August 2006

Bronco Bill – at 00:24

Continued from here


AlabamaPrepper – at 22:04

The lady buying a lot of bleach could have a cleaning business. You go through a lot of clorox when you clean restrooms and mop.

I do, and have to ask the lady I work for to get me more. Sometimes, I just use some that I’ve got here at home, then go buy several more jugs.

01 September 2006

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 17:41

For your prepping pleasure, please let me invite you in……to Alabama where there’s not a bare shelf anywhere!!!!! Sad to report, but true.

galt – at 20:29

I’m workin’ on it @ 17:41--LOL! But I must differ with you on this one. Was at Wally’s over here in my part of AL today and they were OUT—not low but OUT—of Huggie’s diapers and low on two other brands. Also low on diaper wipes in several brands. I don’t think this is a prep issue in any way, but it is a good wake-up on how low the stock always is kept.

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 20:30

Went to my local Asian supermarket to buy pink lentils. The price 1/3rd greater than 3 months ago. Owner said to expect price to keep rising over next year. Still cheaper ( much) than American supermarkets but…

Watching in Texas – at 21:26

galt - how true, how true - wanted to buy non-stick gauze pads the other day, for a child that had a scraped knee, and Target had one package and said it would be a week before they got any more in. Just in time delivery at work again! According to the clerk, they only have 4 or 5 boxes at any given time - it won’t take much to deplete stock on store shelves if TSHTF.

DennisCat 21:43

here is a sad Just In Time story-

when I was staying in a small CA town (Boron working on some crazy rocket stuff) I bought some microwave meals at a small store. I really like the one with eggrolls and soup. I bought several and then went back a week or so later for more. I looked for the kind I liked but didn’t find any more. I asked the store owner and was told they could get more if I knew what kind they were and had the bar code # for them. It turned out that they just went around the store and ordered more of what ever from the codes they had on the self. Well I said: you can’t order more of what I like without the code! and then it dawned on him that he was just always order from the codes on the shelves= what people didn’t like and didn’t buy.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 23:37

DennicC, JIT should actually stand for “Just Idiocy Tenfold”. Wish I could have seen his face when he realized how many sales he’d probably been losing over the years!

Galt, I bow to your observations…..with no kids, I don’t venture into the Huggies very much…:-)

I just spent the evening placing orders from Nitro-Pak, emergency essential (beprepared.com) bulkfoods.com, mybrands.com (for brown bread), amazon grocery and The Prepared Pantry — for a bread slicer I’d wanted last month, adding some new things to my pantry like sausage TVP and canned weiners just for the heck of it!

03 September 2006

niah – at 13:39

Our Osco Drug stores (same as Walgreens) have Marquis’ outside of the stores. Last night I was driving by one and the sign said:

“Medicare 90-Day Supply available”

Which I take to mean that they are advertising Medicare patients have 90 days of prescription drugs available to them.

I have never in my life seen them advertise for such a thing. It is always in-store sales; i.e. milk, soda, sundries, etc., that are advertised on those marquis’.

It immediately made me think of emergency preparedness, and Osco Drug putting prescription drug preparedness into people’s minds. Good thing, but kind of freaky to see it on the sign.

FrenchieGirlat 15:50

Hello Everyone. I went shopping in France, north of Geneva, yesterday, where many staff employed at UN agencies work (incl. our beloved WHO people)… I noticed strange things in these supermarkets, but can’t make any good sense of what I saw. I have ambiguous feelings as to whether people in these areas are prepping at all, prepping on the sly, or doing heavy monthly shopping just after payday and spending more because schools restart this week (btw, poor families will have just received the yearly supplemental family allowance for school start).

In case this has any bearing, which it might, weather was mostly overcast, with occasional sunny spells, no rain, no wind, temperature between 25 and 28°Celsius. Shopping between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm.

Of note, I did not physically see any shopping cart full of prep items only, though I did think that some carts looked as if people were taking 2 items instead of 1 with their normal weekly shopping items, and were using the various sales opportunities. I did not notice empty or half-empty shelves in the babies areas. I did not take particular note of full carts when it was obvious that it was for a family with several children. I particularly looked at the carts of people with non-European features or speaking English, or middle-aged well dressed, but could see nothing special. In order to have a better idea if it’s just chance or if people are really prepping on the sly, I’d need to do the same round on several Saturdays and possibly Friday nights.

Here’s what I found, judge for yourself.

(Name of shop, location, remarks)

Grand Champion, ZAC La Poterie, Ferney-Voltaire, for people with money. Then Ed, big roundabout, Ferney-Voltaire, for poorer people, then Petit Champion, city centre, Ferney-Voltaire, for local people with money but without cars, at roughly 11.30 am to 13.30 pm.

The three had about the same type of shortages, though less shortages in the third, so I have lumped them all together.

The second shop was amazingly full of all sorts of people, like they were queuing for the tills right up to the length of shelves at the back, and I asked the guy stocking the shelves if this was normal to which he replied it certainly was an unusual very heavy Saturday (and they don’t stock school items there).

At the third shop, I saw a car with registered number plates to WHO staff, so I waited to see what was loaded in their car and had a discrete look in the boot. Well, nothing of note, just ordinary Saturday shopping, Mr. and Mrs. Middle-Age, plus teenager girl plus dog.\\\’‘’

  1. Out of stock or almost completely gone: Cheapest white vinegar, grapeseed, sunflower, rapeseed and peanut oil, Bio Olive oil, pasta (noodles and coquillettes), tomato purée, 5kg rice, cheap basmati rice, couscous, green and blond lentils, white beans tins, cheap tuna in sauce, cheap tuna in brine, peaches and pears in syrup, milk, brown sugar, paper handkerchiefs by 150, basic liquid Marseilles soap, chlorine 2 liter bottles, Marseilles soap in bars, multipurpose cleaner, cockroaches insecticide (!), fruit salad in syrup, Nescafé Selection 100 gr, Nescafé Special Filtre 100 gr, Maxwell coffee 100gr (why just the 100 gr and not the 200 gr, that beats me!), Carte Noire Coffee, cheapest coffee, vinegar (cider, shallots, tarragon, red wine), coarse sea salt. Peanuts in skin (why???).
  2. Roughly half-stock: cheapest flour, white sugar in cubes (!) and in powder, toilet paper; tins: cassoulet, gratin, chili con carne, ravioli, tuna, peeled tomatoes. Chlorine 1 lt bottles. Cheap bar soap. Special sale 3 for 2 pasta spaghetti

Leclerc, route de Mategnin, Ferney-Voltaire, around 2 pm. Shop for money conscious people. Not overly crowded. They were restocking water pallets of 1 1/2 liter Volvic bottles. Otherwise:

  1. Gone or almost completely gone: 100% pure orange juice gone (to be expected though as it’s the only nice one on the market), cheapest ravioli, cheapest spaghetti, couscous, blond and green lentils, long grain rice, economic bolognese, provençAle and cuisinée tomato sauces, pulp of tomatoes, pasta (penne), 2 cheapest olive oils, cheapest chlorine, thin gloves (latex and vinyl), small size, cheapest toilet paper, 70% alcohol disinfectant
  2. About half-gone: cheapest tuna, next cheapest tuna, regular spaghetti, sunflower oil, white vinegar, normal flour, coarse sea salt, normal chlorine, cheapest wash liquid, Marseilles soap in bars, thin gloves (latex and vinyl), medium size
  3. The other shelves looked OK about 1/3 empty, nothing of note to see, but… they have a huge warehouse on both sides of the shop and were restocking the shelves as they emptied, so I might not really have noticed flagrant shortages as I didn’t stay there very long.

Carrefour, Segny around 2.30 to 3.45 pm. Huge supermarket, best discounter of “3 for 2″, a lot of sales of prep items, without being able to say whether these have been done on the basis electronic calculations of previous emptying of shelves or an awareness of bird flu.

When at the till, I zoomed on a young guy, looked fairly new too (and with not much light on the first floor, if I may say…), and with a huge smile exclaimed on the quantity of goods people had in their carts and how come this area looks so rich if people can buy that much. To which he asked me if I came from this area, I said no, from X town 260 km away, and to my surprise, he also said he was coming from the said town and thankfully I know the place, was dressed shabily and he assumed I came from the poorer parts of that town. So bending confidentially, I asked: “are they prepping for the bird flu?” to which he nodded just as confidentially, saying some people had carts worth 3/4 of his salary, at a price of 700 euros, and said customers exclaimed it was so “cheap”… Well I didn’t want a date for that night and rather than taking my Swiss money or gold card, I paid in euros in cash (which annoyed me as it left me with little change) and did not pursue the conversation… To note, it’s the second time a cashier talks in hush-hush tones to me about avian flu…

In the car park, many out of town registration plates (ie. not Swiss, not north/south of Geneva), did not see consular or international organizations ones - but it’s huge, I was already fairly tired and I just could not face walking all the aisles of the car part and standing watch (maybe next week…).

So in that supermarket, which seems to have the most up-to-date ordering system:

  1. Gone or almost gone: cheapest sunflower, cheapest tuna (small), cheap long grain rice, Basmati rice, torticello (a kind of stuffed pasta), green lentils, couscous, polenta.
  2. Around half gone: cheap parboiled rice, spaghetti, macaroni, olive oil, sugar powder, ordinary flour, pasta on sale, Cheapest Marseilles soap in bars

Migros Val Thoiry, Thoiry. Nothing worth of note. Almost empty (very surprising), shelves fairly well stocked up, saw three cars with consular plates, one United Nations car plates, was too tired to wait to see what they’d bought.

FrenchieGirlat 15:51

Sorry I meant: Hello Everyone. I went shopping in France, north of Geneva, yesterday, where many staff employed at UN agencies live not work

Anon in uk – at 16:10

I shopped at Asda yesterday and the same time saturday before i did not take much notice last week as it was bank holiday monday so i thought there was a rush but it was the same yesterday i thought it was strange but sounded silly there was a big dent in the following it was noticeable and what i always go for here it is.4kg rice gone last week and i got the last bag yesterday after a restock.Bread flour big dent both days,cooking oil mostly gone both days cooked tinned meat all the brands gone only asda own left all the brands you would choose first gone eg spam plain gone and spam and black pepper ther allbig tinned fruit gone apple pie filling gone 1kg pasta gone last week and 4 only this week small pasta last week a miiddle aged woman as good as fought my daughter for a 500g bag sphaghetti 1kg gone only small bags left no big washing powder.big dent in liquid all in all i had a very bad stock up 2 weeks am going into town tomorrow taxi back.big dent in soap and toilet rools cat and dog food that was all i noticed the rice was a blow but i have my share

Anon in uk – at 16:14

dried milk and large bags of tea bags 400

Anon_451 – at 16:19

FrenchieGirl – at 15:50 Very good report. If you see the same two more weekends in a row then I would say something is up and these people are very worried.

As I remember my time in Europe, Ice Boxs’ are quite small maybe 1.5 cubic meters (12.5 CF in US) and most buy bread and meat every day or every other day and mostly freash not frozen. And most kitchens do not have a lot of storage space so buying large amounts was not the norm unless you had a large family (also somethng most in Western Europe do not have).

FrenchieGirlat 16:23

Asda was one of my usual weekly shopping trips when I lived in the UK. They are not really in the “just in time” category because their ordering system is really good. Any eve of bank holiday, if you go too late, shelves are empty but they do get stocked up during the night. What Anon in UK describes is unusual for a “normal” Saturday.

At the beginning of the 1990s there was a big (normal) flu epidemic, where, if I remember correctly, 40% of the population got sick within 2–3 weeks (I escaped it thankfully). Greenwich district hospital (London South East suburbia) had trouble, were putting sick patients in corridors and only about half the staff reported for duty. For about 1 1/2 weeks, there were some shortages in the shops, and one was queuing (a little) at petrol stations (lack of deliveries). But Asda held its own and I could get there most of what I needed (not true of Sainsbury’s or Tesco’s)

FrenchieGirlat 16:25

Anon_451 – at 16:19 — All you say still holds true.

FrenchieGirlat 16:26

Anon in uk – at 16:14 dried milk and large bags of tea bags 400 - Now I’d say that _IS_ telling us something… Keep watch there, I will here too!

Anon in uk – at 16:36

I will take my list with me tomorrow,aswell as that another supermarket had half price icebox rigid type cooler for 4.00 very unusual i missed those and asda had no 150 packs of georges own tea light brand the others had candles but not the huge ones i buy.no change as i saw anywhere else except boots had no always pads for my daughter 2 or 1 sale has been months

04 September 2006

heddiecalifornia – at 03:05

Looks like the empty shelves in local stores might not be the ONLY shortages we may have to worry about.

   Major food shortages are being forecast for the near future; the price of food is only going to go up.  
   The next ten years are going to be tough all around 

This article from U.K. Independent News has a lot more ‘food for thought.’ http://tinyurl.com/k8s3x

Anon in uk – at 03:53

Frenchiegirl. Tesco Asda and next clothes shop chain were threatened with an ASBO order a month or so ago for taking deliveries in the early hours and waking local residents up i have just thought on Asda were supposedly taking deliveries at 1am an asbo means anti social behavior order a court order to stop them

Anon in uk – at 04:02

heddiecalifornia 305 we had here what was called the price wars and that was basically for a good few years the major shops were Asda Sainsburys kwik save tesco safeway and maybe one or two i have missed out yes Iceland i missed were trying to force Iceland and kwiksave out of business and the price wars began each trying to undercut and do each other out eg buy one get one free now they believe they have achieved that mergers and so on so it is going to go back to what it was the good times so to speak are over and we have been warned to expect sharp increases

FrenchieGirlat 05:35

With reference to my post at 15:50 and Anon_451 – at 16:19 — If you see the same two more weekends in a row then I would say something is up and these people are very worried.

I was so intrigued by what I saw. To try and be fair, and not panic minds because of what I saw, I asked a colleague who lives in this area, and she tells me that it is normal… she does not do any shopping on Saturdays anymore because the hordes just invade the shops and these “basic” foodstuffs are completely depleted in no time.

So I’ll have to do like her, go there on weekday evenings and watch if people behave as preppers or not. Sigh. That’s going to make me come home late and in any case I already have this week’s evenings committed till Monday 11th September anyway.

Anon in uk – at 07:23

Frenchiegirl Have just got back from asda all restocked the only thing i did notice was it was restocked in smaller bags but it was there.I have 2 more things Boots had a new stand of expensive for the area vicks first defence handwash and small mousse.i have never seen that before superdrug has a product called no germs never seen before and asda have a product new line called spingel or something like that.and now the highlight of the day,i was talking to an old woman at the bus stop who said she had been out to stock up stock up on what i asked in a surprised way.Food of course i have just come back from new zealand her son lives there i am always stocked up for the winter.you dont have to go out then.she said she had had the flu in new zealand it is just coming to the end of the flu season and they have had it worse than normal.she said i want to be ready before the rush and the shops are empty.what do you mean i said before the shops are empty take my advice and get your food in i always have 6 months worth in then you can put your feet up its everyman for himself.never before have i had a conversation like it she was about 70 i am off back to asda will log on later

05 September 2006

Ma-Mom – at 11:10

Went to Walmart this morning and my PPF went through the roof!(I know, that’s another thread.) I was standing by a section of beef jerky that was at least 6 feet long and floor to ceiling 5 deep shelves totally full!!! (New England is not known for eating tons of Jerky!) The soups, beans and canned pasta products were filling shelves and endcaps. Gatorade and other similar single serving powdered products were way overstocked. The camping aisle, which was empty a few weeks ago had been completely restocked (and I found a Brinkman lantern!!) I’ve been shopping this store for many years now and have never seen anything like it. I wonder if it is related to the fact that the School Dept has brought in someone from DPH to make a presentation on Pandemic Bird Flu planning later this week.

Hillbilly Bill – at 11:21

My DW drug me through some hi-falutin’ store at the mall after church on Sunday because she saw something in in a sale paper she wanted to look at. This is one of those pricey stores with perfume and handbags in the middle of the aisle. While she is looking at this steam-thingy for her dresses, I suddenly realized that I was standing by a HUGE aisle display of emergency lattern/weather radio/TV/compass combinations. I looked at one briefly and then I noticed there was a dsiplay of hand-crank flashlights on the register counter. The more I looked, the more types of emergency/prep stuff I saw in a store that would have in the past considered a Tote umbrella the height of preparedness supplies. This is not hurricane country. Is something going on in retail America?

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 11:21

Listen, Ma-Mom, check that Brinkmann lantern’s solar panel for scratches. I’m going to have to find the thread where we were discussing those to find out how scratched is too scratched. I bought 2 on Labor Day, opened them this AM and have a few scratches AND the two panels don’t look alike. One looks like every inch is the same, the other looks like ice looks when it gets cracked inside, but doesn’t shatter…..don’t know what the outcome of that one will be!

Going back later today to ask when the next shipment of camping stuff will be in, if they can tell me that.

Is the mile-high jerky display because of something related to hunting season???/

Ma-Mom – at 12:20

I’m-workin’-on-it, Thanks for lantern tip to check…I had, too late, once I was home, and found a significant scratch. Ironically, I chose that box because the one other one was crushed. (a comment I now remember also reading here from someone else in the same boat.)

For others who may want to follow this discussion, the question about issues with scratches in the Brinkmann Lanterns has been raised in the “a storm reminds about prepping thread.”

NoFluingAroundat 12:38

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 17:41 For your prepping pleasure, please let me invite you in……to Alabama where there’s not a bare shelf anywhere!!!!! Sad to report, but true.

I live in Alabam, close to gulf. I went to our local health department to see if they had any pamphlets on BF, get this, the nurse looked at me and said “Verbatim” BIRTH FLU?? She had no t the faintest idea what I was talking about, Yes, SAD BUT TRUE.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:56

OMG!!! Isn’t that soooo scary! What did you say to her and whatever it was I’d ask to see her boss and say the same thing to him/her!!! How below pitiful can we possibly be??? You should go to the Alabama Preppers thread if you haven’t already and introduce yourself to the others here!

If you’ll just type Alabama into the search window at the top left of this page (under the swans if you haven’t already noticed all that stuff in the gold strip down the left hand side) it’ll pull up the thread — I think we’ve all taken a long weekend away from posting there & you can bring the thread current again!

OKbirdwatcherat 13:56

Hillbilly Bill at 11:21 -

Are you saying these emergency preparedness items were inside the hi-falutin’ store??? Curious

Hillbilly Bill – at 13:57

OKbirdwatcher – at 13:56

They sure were inside, and not right inside the door either. Very curious indeed.

Average Concerned Mom – at 14:14

I’ve definitely been seeing a whole lot more advertising / public service announcements lately, from various utilities/contry and state organizations/red cross groups, etc. It seems like they are all trying the subliminal message — “Emergencies can happen at any time — does your family have a plan?” I’ve also been seeing a lot more canned foods and larger bags of rice and beans in grocery stores, that’s been going on for about a month.

When I start seeing canning supplies in our local Target and Sears (we’re in a big city) I’ll know something is really up!

Northstar – at 14:27

ACM— Target is already doing an emergency kit… I saw it in last week’s flyer.

Hillbilly Bill – at 15:08

Maybe it will become “chic” to prep. Wouldn’t that be a hoot!

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 15:10

It might be a ‘hoot’…..it would sure be a HELP! Let me know if you sense it happening and we’ll all do the happy dance together!

Hillbilly Bill – at 15:14

Well, there is a big push county-wide to prepare for pandemic flu, advertisements, billboards, and flyers in the grocery bags. Maybe the stores are just trying to cash in.

NJ Jeeper – at 15:33

If the retailers think there is a profit in it, they will jump on the bandwagon, for sure. They just will want to make a decent margin and not take too big a chance and get stuck. But I do not see them leading the charge, just followin up with the supply wagons.

Northstar – at 16:33

I think a recent “good idea” I read about serves everybody’s purposes: the health department of a town got together with the grocery stores to distribute 4 weekly flyers about pandemic awareness. The flyers were handed out with the receipt. This is great thinking: the word gets out, the grocery store sells more food and people’s awareness - and readiness - is increased.

I’m sorry, I no longer have the URL. Wish I did!

JWB – at 16:36

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 15:10 It might be a ‘hoot’…..it would sure be a HELP! Let me know if you sense it happening and we’ll all do the happy dance together!

A more appropriate dance would be “The chicken dance”

anonymous – at 16:40

Thread: Fluwikian Strategies
23 June 2006
Science Teacher – at 20:27
Help to set up partnerships between local Health Departments and grocery stores. Mason City did this recently. The Health Dept. provided flyers for the stores to add to grocery bags. They change the flyers every week

Average Concerned Mom – at 16:42

Ohio Food Industry Foundation is coming out with pandemic infomation newsletters as well as pandemic guides for grocery stores later this fall. more info here.

http://www.ohiofoodindustryfoundation.org

libbyalex – at 20:15

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. I saw the same thing last year, though w/o any pandemic references. But good to see the Ohio Food Industry doing something!

Posie – at 21:01

alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the larger sized bottles, at the dollar store. one day there was a whole shelf, three days later they were all gone.

i took this as a good sign, that perhaps (and certainly) i am not alone in my efforts.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 21:19

A more appropriate dance would be “The chicken dance”

You’re right — do we all know the steps??

Monotreme – at 21:28

Ma-Mom – at 11:10

There was a similar wall of beef jerky in the EconoBox store in my city. It made it’s appearance a couple of months ago. I would estimate that 80% of it went in about 4 weeks. It isn’t being replaced. There are still large displays of beef jerky in regular grocery stores. I have never seen so much beef jerky in my life.

Most of the Purell is gone. It is not being replaced.

NoFluingAroundat 21:33

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:56

Honey, she was the boss…lol. I asked to speak with her supervisor, and she informed me that she was the supervisor, OMG, it gets worse, long story short, I asked her her name, she ignored me, tried to look at her name tag and she put her hand over it, haaaaaaa…..this is where it gets good, the foolish woman looks at me and says, “now your harassing me and called security. We are so up poop creek without a paddle, it’s not even funny!!!!

OKbirdwatcherat 21:49

What is it with all the beef jerky and why this year? And furthermore, where’s it comin’ from? Domestic or imported? Anyone notice? Personally, I’m not too fond of the stuff anyway, but DH loves it.

silversage – at 21:59

OKbirdwatcher – at 21:49

Could be all the herds that were slaughtered during the summers heat wave. The excess beef jerky I mean. When I lived in Texas we had a drought year the the price of beef dropped so low it was incredible. Ranchers couldn’t feed the herds so bam, beef jerky! Just a thought.

06 September 2006

EnoughAlreadyat 01:13

I’m not seeing any of this increase in prepardness stuff where I live. And the beef jerky is same as it’s always been. Only thing close that I am seeing is a bunch of those flashlights that you shake to charge.

AND… they are getting really, really, really bad about limiting the amount of OTC sinus meds you can purchase. They wouldn’t even let me buy more than two baby drop kind for infants… because of meth makers, they said. I told them, for cryin’ out loud… how much can be in a baby kind? Wouldn’t I be going after a stronger dose of the stuff? Frankly, I am not buying into the limitation of this stuff being from the dope makers. And good luck finding some brands.

Bird Guano – at 01:53

Posie – at 21:01

alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the larger sized bottles, at the dollar store. one day there was a whole shelf, three days later they were all gone.

i took this as a good sign, that perhaps (and certainly) i am not alone in my efforts.


No, that was probably just ME.

:-)

I’ve cleaned out my local dollar stores of hand sanitizer 4 times so far.

Olymom – at 12:07

If you’re buying dollar store hand santizer please check the % alcohol. Some don’t have much — so you are just smearing germs around on your hands. This time of year I expect a lot of students are taking a bottle of santizer to school as part of school supplies.

destressed – at 12:18

Ma-Mom – at 11:10 Went to Walmart this morning and my PPF went through the roof!(I know, that’s another thread.) I was standing by a section of beef jerky that was at least 6 feet long and floor to ceiling 5 deep shelves totally full!!! (New England is not known for eating tons of Jerky!)

I used to run a Supercenter several years ago. What your seeing is gearing up for hunting season and fall retail. I have been in touch with friends who are up the food chain..not at the top but up there a little ways….I can tell you awareness is out there..and as always it comes down to timing

Pat in AZ – at 12:25

My local Walmart was thin on household supplies and food items this past weekend (9/2) — I didn’t notice specific items. I know people here have said that Walmart stocks up at the end of the month, but these shelves were seriously depleted — as if they had not stocked up enough. I probably would not have mentioned it here except that on another discussion board, not flu related, people were remarking on the empty shelves at their Walmarts and grocers.

To me the very idea of abnormally low inventories in the supply chain is very disturbing.

Pat in AZ – at 12:37

Did a quick Google — apparently for the past year Walmart has been reducing inventories and “speeding up” its supply chain in certain fast-moving food and household items. Here’s a couple of links from Supply Chain Digest:

May 25, 2006

October 13, 2005

This can only make supply problems worse when TSHTF.

Sorry if this is old news here.

DennisCat 13:02

Olymom – at 12:07 “santizer to school as part of school supplies. “

Yes my wife teaches middle school. I made sure that hand sanitizer was on the school supply list (we “snuck” it in last spring). The school nurse was VERY glad to find it on the list this year. They (school) even have some of those Chlorox wipes for each room now to clean the desks at the end of the day.

Oremus – at 13:17

Olymom – at 12:07

Yes, always check the labels at the dollar stores. Thought I had found a cheap bottle of olive oil, only to read that it was 10% olive oil, 90% vegetable oil. It was still marketed as olive oil.

As far as the hand sanitizer goes, make sure it is at least 60% alcohol.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 13:20

NoFluingAround – at 21:33 That deserves reporting to our Atty General or the state health department or something! You know, if you relayed the info about how you were so rudely treated and ridiculed to one of the tv news channels that does consumer help for people getting screwed by contractors and such, and suggested gov’t ‘coverup’ and tell them you want their help that might get interesting!

FL Watcher – at 14:00

Okay, all you guys with the beef jerky antenna’s up you are SO RIGHT. I have never seen so much beef jerky in Florida in the stores in my entire life. My boys love it so of course I am aware of the jerky sections and it has increased by tenfold. IT is still not cheap though.

Green Mom – at 14:50

EnoughAlready at 1:13-

We’ve been limited in what OTC sinus meds we can buy for quite sometime now because of the Meth situation. We have to sign a log, and show ID and all that. Its been really rough because we all have allergies. Although I would not be at all surprised if TPTB try to hoard meds for what ever reason, in this case I do think it is Meth related. I think its more a political move to say “Look! we are doing something for this situation” and like most such moves its showy and not very effective.

07 September 2006

urdar-Norge – at 08:04

18 $ for a box of rehydration powder, in 5 small bags enough for 5 liters (1,32 gallon). Bought in the farmacy. “Price is high since no one is buying such a product they told me.” So they probably dont have any stocks either.. Have I been robbed or what?

Okieman – at 08:25

A quick note concerning the sinus meds.

Here in Oklahoma we were the first to make those meds a behind the counter purchase and limit the amount that could be purchased at one time. It is my understanding that one move cut meth production in Oklahoma 50%. There was a dramatic drop in meth labs. What they ended up doing is going to Texas or Arkansas…etc to get their ingredients and cook them there, but it did help Oklahoma. Just the labs themselves are highly dangerous affairs.

From this action (which I applaud by the way) additional states have taken a cue and have also begun limiting purchases. I know this makes it a bit more difficult for legitimate users of the medications, but if it hampers the meth makers and users then I am all for the extra restrictions. That stuff (meth) is deadly and a plague in and of itself.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 08:29

Okieman, I agree! I’m an OTC sinus med user, and I don’t mind having to sign for the pills — at least they didn’t take the drug off the market, which could have been an option!

Kim – at 09:11

urdar-Norge, here in the US, when I had my camping store I sold the packets of ORS for $1.00, which was really a pretty low price (1 pkt makes 1 liter). A more standard price would be $1.50-$2.00 per packet. The only reason that I could sell it at such a low price is because I didn’t have to pay the freight cost to buy it, I’m located close enough to the manufacturer that I could pick it up directly from their factory.

08 September 2006

Olymom – at 01:08

I was at a Fred Meyer’s store today (mega store of groceries/clothes/garden center/housewares) and there was a big end cap display of disposable gloves, ibuprofen, rubbing alcohol and hand soap. Hmm, says I, that is a really weird combination for an end cap under normal conditions — but very appropriate for BF prepping.

Safeway has lots of canned goods on sale too.

Dr. Dave – at 09:26

Here in the suburbs of Chicago, my wife and I have noted full shelves everywhere, from the small independent grocers to Sams Club. However, out of the dozens of people we have spoken to about the threat of a pandemic, nobody seems to care.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 09:31

Isn’t that hard to live with Dr Dave? We’re all going to get whiplash shaking our heads at how dense our family and neighbors can be.

They buy fire and health and car insurance, even complain about the cost, but they do it. And at worst, they’d be without a house, a bank account or a car if they had to use those type ‘preps’. But with no food or water, the best that could happen is that they would be inconvenienced while the worst is they could be dead, in which case there would be no need for fire, health & car insurance.

But try to convince them of that?

sigh.

Average Concerned Mom – at 09:37

I’m workin’ on it —

Well, we’re not being given a lot of help by anyone in the know, are we?

I mean, if all these end caps and gorcery store sales and everything else are being powered by some insider information that we had better start prepping NOW — don’t they think that message should be delivered somehow other than subliminally and by small conferences with 250 people?

We cannot do this all on our own! (-:

People have absolutely no reason to start prepping. No one is telling them to (oterh than their nutty friends and family members.) But why should they listen to us? If this is such a big deal, why aren’t people talking about it in the news? Why do you have to go on line and download reports to get a sense of what is going on?

(I realize this is the wrong thread for this rant….)

NJ Jeeper – at 09:45

I am no longer trying to convince anyone to prep. Just not worth it. I believe they will eventually come aroudn on their own as it approaches and then offer advice and prepping lists and sanitation, and PPE when they are ready. Hope it won’t be too late. After all you do not want to be a target for supplies for every non prepper in the town.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 10:01

NJ Jeeper – at 09:45 I agree….one look back at Katrina’rs aftermanth even just as a generic result of a disaster, is frightening to me, but friends and family just don’t make a connection. For months I didn’t do anything about talking to them about BF just because of the reaction from Y2k. I was still nursing my ‘ouches’ from that time.

I sent copies of pics of my preps to my family and waited for the fallout- and it fell — I’m now the ‘crazy as a loon’ family member in need of counseling.

That’s the one shot they get….it’s up to them to get smart & get safe.

ACM, I WISH we could find a reputable company or two that would get pro-active — that discussion about Campbells’ or Walgreens or 3M, etc. was so frustrating to me — first there was NOTHING ‘new’, and secondly, those are not really the sources I’d want to be using as my main source of ‘convincing’ family just because their main thrust is obviously to cater to our purchasing desires. Good sources eventually I guess, but I’d want to start with places like private healthcare and private and public schools and other places like that. But they’re not there to start with, so we’re lost.

So we’re on our own. Our families should listen to US but they don’t deem us to be reliable apparently either.

Average Concerned Mom – at 12:06

Yeah — I’m workin on it — I just had a huge fight with my husband about things last night. He isn’t against prepping but really doesn’t see that a pandemic is anywhere in our future nor will it be bad — everyone on the fluwikie is a nut, some maybe are well-spoken nuts, but still.

His point — I have been telling him “This will be big news SOON! I feel it in my gut” and there’s been NOTHING in the news. NOTHING. Oh, yeah, news about a vaccine, news about some low path H5N1 — nothing to worry about. NOTHING> He sayd, why are you getting so concerned (OK hysterical). NOTHING IS GOING ON!

I finally told him he had to read The Great Influenza AND the National Governor’s Association Primer (not the press release, the primer itself) before I would *ahem* …talk with him again. (-: I just can’t take this any more — he does respect me, so he has to take my opinions seriously.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:38

It’s ironic that this thread is entitled Empty Shelves (and only up to thread IV, while the speculation threads are up to VI or so) since we’re struggling with people who are empty of any urgency to listen to us. Empty shelves, empty warnings. We’ve actually got full shelves and empty warnings in their eyes.

As I said, I had sent a copy of my pics to my family as a start to open conversation, and am now a ‘loon’. My neice wanted to know how my husband felt, & although he said that having things on hand is a convenience, he doesn’t really feel anthing more than 3 months is necessary & in truth, he really doesn’t mean that, he’s just being gracious. When I consider all the things that could go wrong with my ‘3 months’, like did I put it up correctly so that it’s still good when I need it, 3 months for 2 of us turns into 1.5 months for 4 of us, and less if we share with neighbors (and how could we not under some circumstances).

It will at best be crucial to stay on top of what stores have restocked foods after the first go-round, since the next round could be longer & harder to cope with.

Today, I’m feeling really discouraged and disconnected with what I should be doing — I’m like a dog chasing my tail in a way, just because emotionally, I can’t kick it into gear, and that’s because of how disappointing it always is when family frowns.

Honestly, it makes me want to do something childish like only stock stuff that *I* eat, instead of the 14 packages of coffee that DH drinks….why take up room with ‘his’ stuff when I don’t drink coffee — think of how much more Instant CHOCOLATE breakfast I could stock and NO vanilla, since that’s his favorite, just chocolate. And cans of squash and green beans!!! That ought to ‘fix’ him. Of course I won’t do that, but by golly when I get so discouraged like this, that’s what I feel like doing.

We just never talk about it…I bring it in, put it away, eventually tell him if I got something big or important like the inflatable pool for water storage (should have seen the eye-rolling). My only consolation is that he’s so dang distracted with football now that you can’t really talk to him about ANYthing, much less trying to save his life.

I have to tell you though, when TSHTF, he’d better know immediately to look to me for instruction about how and what to do and when, or I’m going to explode. If he tries to second guess or argue with me, I’m really liable to bop him over the head with a concrete block or something & then I’ll have 6 months of preps!!

libbyalex – at 13:24

I’m workin on it: ROTFLMAO. You go girl! Get those breakfast drinks. ONly stock half as much coffee for him. I get some of the same reaction at home. The canned goods under the bed were just discovered!

I’m writing up instruction sheets for what happens in our household when TSHTF! Hang in there!

Oremus – at 13:40

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:38

For your husband that doesn’t think anything more than 3 months is necessary; show him the Los Alamos simulation. It shows that at 3 months from introduction of panflu to this country, it will be peaking at 3 months. Does he really want to go out for resupply during the peak? Or would he rather wait til it burns out in six months? And that’s just one wave.

Los Alamos Simulation

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 14:05

I just emailed the Los Alamos link to his business email. He probably won’t even mention it tonight….it’s not FOOTBALL. gggggrrrrrrr

KimTat 14:12

Mention to him that football will be one of the first things cancelled because of crowds and that the munchies and beer will not be available and that even if they still play we may not have power to watch the game on tv and that the football players that are so stong with good immune sytems could be the ones to be hit the hardest and that if he thought hard about it, he should make sure that a generator and or solar set up would be a wise move so he could at least watch tapes of past game and should you stock up on vsr tapes… ; )

Oremus – at 14:16

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 14:05

But it could impact the football season. Maybe you could ask him if he thinks football games would be played and aired to the masses during a pandemic. I believe the crowds would be banned from attending.

AlabamaPrepperat 14:19

IWOI—First of all, and I don’t want you or anyone on the Wikie to take this wrong—BUT I am so “glad” I’m not married and have to go through any of that! I take care of me. No one else is in the equation.

Second—SIP sounds like a break, in a way. Just so we can get the word in time before the nasty little virii have spread. I betcha I’ve enough stuff stacked on the kitchen table to last a month or so, just haven’t put it up yet. Not counting what’s put back already. There’s 3 months or more in the cabinets and closets.

Staying at home is a preferred way of life to me, anyhow. I’m just the opposite of most folks these days. They go all the time, I prefer not to.

If I can avoid getting sick, and if the power stays on, (best situation), why I might can get some sewing done…

Average Concerned Mom – at 14:21

What????? Pandemic Flu will impact football?!?! Why didn’t someone tell me that? NOW I have something to tell my husband. Deso Sports Illustrated know about this, maybe they could run an article or something. “How to survive the Coming Pandemic-related lack of sports….”

(-:

Mari – at 14:27

The discussion here highlights that people are different. Most of us fluwikians are the planner type who always have plans A, B, C … that we’ve thought through for scenarios that are important to us. But there are people who don’t think that way. If you happen to live with one and share finances with him/her, there are going to be issues no matter what you do that you’ll have to deal with depending on your family style for managing conflict. Getting ahead on food by 3 months can be justified in many ways (prices keep going up, what if one of us loses his/her job, etc.) It’s the things that cost $$ that wouldn’t be purchased otherwise that can be the hard-to-sell items (I’m thinking gravity water purification systems, multiple water barrels, cases of dried food, solar panels, generators). You may have to say something like “thinking about a pandemic and preparing what we’ll need to survive if one occurs is my hobby like [xx] is yours” rather than try to change what or how your spouse thinks.

Chesapeake – at 14:29

Empty Shelves- all the hand held battery operated sports games are gone…

OKbirdwatcherat 14:30

I’m-workin’-on-it at 12:38

Can’t quit LOL!!! You hang in there and keep prepping. You ARE doing the right thing.

delphina – at 14:51

I’m-workin’-on-it at 12:38

Just want to say you are not alone — “I bring it in, put it away”, too, whether DH notices or cares or not, because it is the right thing to do, because ultimately I have to do what I think is necessary, what I know in my heart must be done. Prepping alone is a lonely pursuit — but it sure beats the hell out of not doing it.

NJ Jeeper – at 14:55

Delphina, exaclty my situation. Just do what you think is necessary, and DW just shakes her head but knows I am only trying to take care of the family. Tellin me I am over the edge and getting wierd does not bother me.

delphina – at 15:02

NJ Jeeper I feel I have a tremendous burden on my shoulders — I know about it, I know what could happen, and if I don’t prepare for my family to the very best of my ability, then I am guilty of gross negligence. I have no choice but to prepare.

OKbirdwatcherat 15:07

AlabamaPrepper at 14:19 -

Staying home is a preferred way of life for me, anyhow. I’m just the opposite of most folks these days. They go all the time, I prefer not to.

That could be me talking! Just when I’m sure I must be some kind of freak because my life doesn’t consist of trips to the mall to blow a just-earned paycheck, dinners out, manicures, and so on, I read your post. Good to know I’m not the only one who enjoys being home. It seems to be a lost “art”.

Home is my haven and truly, I live something of a SIP lifestyle already. Barring any unpleasant surprises during a real SIP event, I think I could handle it better than most. I’m afraid a lot of the people in my little corner of the world would absolutely freak out at the idea of having to SIP. I’m fairly certain they just wouldn’t. As for prepping, well now, that would cut into their funds for the mall shopping, dining out, etc., so that won’t be happening either. I think that goes for a lot of people in this country. Now what was the topic of this thread…:-?

Dennis in Colorado – at 20:19

I took a few extra minutes while at WalMart this afternoon and surveyed several areas of the store. There were some gaps in the stock in the camping area, but it seemed to be minor (and I overheard one mom & teenage girl commenting on “everyone’s getting ready for RockJam [an annual outdoor concert event]). There were no empty shelves in the food section, and just small free-standing displays of beef jerky and summer sausage (normal for this time of year, just before hunting season).
Nothing unusual in the pharmacy area.
All in all, everything seemed very normal for a Friday mid-afternoon.

AnnieBat 20:28

In a different part of the world … (New Zealand). A few months ago when the local Ministry of Health started an awareness campaign, it was obvious that people were buying up some items such as hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes - the shelves were regularly out of stock for weeks and weeks of these items.

At the moment we have a strike on within the transportation sector of a major supermarket conglomerate, affecting 3 of the major supermarkets, and their shelves are severely depleted. Fortunately most communites have options of other supermarkets but they too are being (slightly) impacted by demand moving to them.

Prepping Gal – at 20:38

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:38

I really hear you about your DH; my DH humors me by not getting annoyed and I really think deep down he thinks I may be right to prep. We’ve got enough for probably up to a year for us; less if we need to share. Now what I say to my DH rather than getting frustrated is I keep saying to him “you are going to love me so much more when you realize I’ve saved your life”. I’ve also told him I got the preps therefore I will be in control of the preps- no questions asked. If I have to lock it all up I will. Now yesterday out of the blue he told me he was going to see if he could find some oxygen absorbers for me locally; he’s listening. He rode his old bike (after 20 years) when I wasn’t home because I told him we may need to get use to riding to the city for supplies; he’s listening. He agreed to replace our waterbed with a regular type bed so we don’t need to worry about electricity’ he’s listening. He told me he could make my indoor bike trainer a power source; he’s clever with his hands and he’s listening.

Chances are when TSHTF my DH and likely your DH will lightup and they’ll take over the “manly things”. I’ve told my hubby he is responsible for heat, water, lighting, and wood stove/wood so he better have a source. What if you told him that these were your DH’s job and then see what he does? He might surprise you; I hope so.

09 September 2006

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 00:26

Y’all are all so supportive, and today I’ve really needed it. Prepping Gal I love that about him loving me because I’ll have saved his life!

My husband is just wierd about this. He listens, he nods, but he takes no responsibility at all for anything from routine maintenance of anythhing from the HVAC system to cranking the genny once a month-but he loves running upstairs to get another package of coffee whenever he likes. I mentioned putting together a generator kit, & his remark was ‘where do you get one of those?’ I said, “you make it yourself” and he lost interest. Some things I will be able to maybe pass to him for his responsibility AFTER we’re in trouble, but right now, he just doesn’t give a damn. I’ve felt so low all night long, even at my brother’s house watching scary movies, I just felt mediocure — and resentful. I need to refocus tomorrow, while DH watches those football games, I need to recheck some lists, and move ahead on some things. I agree with the statement above that sometimes its a blessing just to be responsible for just yourself. I’ll take the tradeoff but it is still lonely.

I remember when I got a divorce a couple of decades ago. I was soooo depressed, but I was ‘moving on’. I went to the movies, watched awhile, went for candy, and when I came back, it occured to me that I didn’t have to go back to my old seat because no one was sitting beside me waiting on me to return to my seat — I could sit anywhere I wanted to. That was a refreshing and positive feeling for me and helped me move ahead.

I don’t want to be without my spouse, but I KNOW I’m in this alone, and I KNOW how bad I feel when I stick my neck out and get laughed at, and I KNOW I shouldn’t let it worry me, but it does — it aggrevates me that it is a distraction where I have to turn my focus inward to mending my own feelings rather than turning it outward and focusing on moving ahead, and finding some sort of refreshing and positive feeling in being alone in this…..maybe I should take joy in the fact that we don’t spend hours in the WalMart aisles arguing over Coleman vs Brinkmann lighting because we’re not ‘in this together’! :-)

‘nite,

Texas Rose – at 01:27

The husband is right with me on prepping. I don’t know nor do I care if he’s just humoring me as long as we’re prepared.

Although he does have one odd quirk: He doesn’t see the need for 75+rolls of toilet paper at any given time. Wierd.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 08:35

Well, what a difference a night’s sleep can make. I’m feeling pretty good this AM, and boy has my mind been clicking on prepping issues. I’ll have time on my hands today while DH watches football, to be on my own if I want to because I sure won’t have his attention on me, so I may run do some shopping at Radio Shack and some general shelf-emptying elsewhere.

I had packages arrive yesterday, one from Prepared Pantry — a bread slicer tray (purpose to slice homemade bread to keep portion sizes reasonable) which has 2 acrylic sides with slots — they screw on — and there’s a slot in one end of each side that another piece of acrylic slides into that you put the cut end of a loaf of bread up agains so you can cut evenly. The end piece won’t stay in place — it falls out even if you just look at it! Gotta go back!

Ordered 4 additional dark acrylic trays & 1 set of herb screen/fruit roll liners for my dehydrator. Box came yesterday. The liners were the only thing that was OK. Two of the trays arrived broken - -they were packed in their own box which was taped on top of another box and when I opened it, it had a whole new dehydrator in it-and all of it was clear acrylic, not dark! NOT what I’d ordered. Gotta straighten THAT mess out since I’ve got almost $60 tied up in it.

Anyway, I’m in motion today and, with it being an early ballgame that half the state will be interested in watching, I figure everyone will get their shopping done early while it’s cool so I’m going to take note of what’s thinning out on the shelves while everyone else is watching football!

Dr Dave – at 09:12

To “I’m Working On It”: Your comment on insurance was right on the money. People buy all sorts of insurance and get absolutely nothing in return unless they have a claim. And, even if they do have a claim, the best they can hope for is to replace something they already had. What most people do not understand is that buying emergency supplies is a lot like buying insurance, but with one big difference. This sort of insurance pays back every cent immediately in the form of essential groceries and household supplies that you will actually possess and use. In addition, stocking up on emergency supplies is a really smart investment, because when the pandemic hits, the items that everyone wants to have on a daily basis will become mighty scarce and terribly expensive, and this condition will last for many months after the pandemic has passed. So, rather than try to convince my friends and relatives to take heed of a medical threat they do not really understand or believe in, I simply appeal to things that make sense to them: insurance and investing. We have all seen how volatility in the petroleum market is affecting the cost of everything we buy. The non-sale prices we paid last March have become this month’s sale prices. Our buying power is eroding by the week and we may never again have the opportunity to buy so much for so little. If ever there was a time to invest and insure, this is it. Do it while the shelves are full. Do it while you still have an income.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 09:21

Yep, I want to tell my family that I didn’t realize that they were as wealthy and influencial as they must be to be able to wait until there’s a problem & be able to locate the resources they need at that time, and pay 5 times what the items are worth at the same time. And so when I run out of my preps in about 3 months, I’ll come stay with them!!

Seriously it IS unwise use of funds to not prep ahead of time, when someone can be so wise in other areas of finance.

By the way….our lowest gas prices yet at our Raceway — $2.449!!!!!

Beatrice Elizabeth in uk – at 09:33

Stocking up your shelves now makes so much sense we in uk had a certain lady prime minister here a few decades ago and during a scarce period due to a winter of discontent in 1979 or not long after she appeared on tv to tell the public not to stock up and not to panic buy as this will lead to shortages everything is as normal go about your business and we all breathed a sigh of relief that was FRIDAY AND WE WERE NOT SO HAPPY ON MONDAY NIGHT WHEN MY FATHER BROUGHT IN A NEWSPAPER WITH A LARGE PHOTO OF A LORRY OFFLOADING INTO NO 10 AT NIGHT WHAT WERE THEY OFFLOADING ARE YOU ASKING.iT WAS A SUPERMARKET LORRY AND WHAT WAS GOING INTO NO 10 iT WAS FOOD.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 09:37

See, there you go. Beatrice is so right on the mark. As soon as someone says NOT to prepare, I just want to do so that much more because what they’re actually telling me (most likely) is that they’re already prepared or someone is doing it for them but I shouldn’t do so with any urgency so that everyone can get their share. Well, everyone CAN get their share right NOW, but not later.

Dr Dave – at 09:48

IWOI: When you are fed up with someone who seems unwilling to take your good advice, try challenging them with this series of questions.

To get enough food to feed your family for one day, what do you currently pay? What do expect to pay when a pandemic is announced? What do you expect to pay during the peak of a pandemic? What if the variety is limited and the prices have doubled? What if your family lost its income? What if your family lost its primary bread winner? So, what on Earth are you waiting for?

This line of interrogation is a bit cold and aggressive, but it is very much to the point, and that is what some people need. I should point out that this is certainly my “last resort” discussion with people. If this does not motivate them, I give up and move on.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 10:01

Dr Dave those are some good pointed questions — I’m going to keep them with me — it certainly brings the point home to me!

Before Y2k, I did a LOT of prepping & shared knowledge of what I was doing with family. I even sent them each a bucket, lined & filled with all sorts of emergency goods - Sterno stove & fluid, wind up radio, and even some kitty litter for the bucket. Yes, I actually mailed kitty litter to Fla. and Mass. and Tenn..

They apparently weren’t impressed. My Mass. family keeps water at the house because of all their snow storms, but I don’t think they have anything other than the gas heat in their BIG house. I could guess that they have maybe 2 boxes of matches on average, you know, this just seems to be something that only one or two people in an extended family believe in. It’s our calling and not everybody’s.

stars – at 11:21

I’ve never posted here before but I’ve been reading here for a few months. I was SO impressed with I’m-workin’-on-it pictures I had to say something. We just started prepping the last few months and have about a 5 month supply. NONE of our families prep so it’s nice to see people who do, we thought we were crazy. Because of those pictures my husband and I discussed it and we are going to organize our things better and just try to do a better job of prepping. Thank you so much for posting those pictures and we are getting great ideas here.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 11:42

stars, I’m humbled by your comments - remember that I’ve been doing this for 7 years now, it took awhile & it took some rearranging from time to time as I found ways to make better use of my space.

I probably have about 3 months worth so good for you for getting up to a 5 month supply.

I used what I had to be able to separate cans & stack as tightly as I could and worked and worked to keep it as neat as possible, but there were days and days and days when I’d bring home 30 bags of something & we’d just haul it all up to the pantry & set the bags in the floor, then step precariously over them to get to something for days and days, until I could get everything new worked in. So make certain you both understand that in order to get something neat and tidy as a result, you sometimes have to put up with some messes!

And you’ll notice that I now have some ‘empty shelves’ of my own, and that’s for 2 reasons. 1) I am waiting to buy canned soups until all the soup BOGO sales kick into gear so I can get better deals. In the meantime I do have other instant soups to fall back on. 2) I used to store cleansers on their own shelves but still up with the food, but I finally made room downstairs for that stuff so that only food is upstairs, with only a couple of little exceptions.

The other thing that helped tremendously is that I used coupons like crazy — it actually became a game for me, shopping the BOGO’s and using coupons for the one I had to buy in order to get the other one free — I’ve literally saved over $3000 just in the last year and half. People who do a lot of couponing for large families save even more! But it’s just the 2 of us.

I rotate, and I only buy what we eat for the most part. I might buy something to try, but I’ll only buy one or two till we know for sure we’d eat it more than once or twice a year if ever.

Someone showed me some pics of another prepper who had gotten some used wooden milk crates and used them to stack up with shelving in between to make some very secure shelves for their preps — honestly it looks so nice and straight & neat, almost like a grocery store itself. If you look closely some of my plastic shelves are beginning to sag under the weight of certain heavy cans. My husband needs to cut some wedges of wood to shove underneath them to keep them straight & I’d forgotten about that so I need to thank YOU for reminding me of that — it’s something he should be able to do before or after a ball game without too much trouble. My point is that if you can, start with the best shelving you possibly can — it can make all the difference! Eventually I want DH to either build me (or buy me) FIFO shelving (first in, first out) for my cans, but for now I’m extremely happy to have what I have.

Hope you’ll post pics soon too stars!!!

Poppy – at 15:06

Texas Rose - Tell your hubby to count how many rolls of toilet paper your family uses in a normal week, then add in a few more to take into consideration family members becoming ill and possibly needing more than usual. Once he has done that have him figure out how many rolls you would need for say three months. 75 rolls would only last my family of five for about half of that time.

stars – at 19:05

I’m-workin’-on-it, thanks for the info!! Having five months of food is good but you showed us we should diversify more as well as keep it neat and in order.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 20:34

My empty shelves report from my WalMart trip, late afternoon Saturday (don’t know if any of this relates to in-store sales specials):

Empty or almost so (not counting overhead stock):

Clorox

Kleenex

Paper towels

Cokes, potato chips, popcorn (combined here because today is football day)

1/2 of the Rice Dream milks

Vienna Sausage (it’s also a hunting Saturday)

Campbell’s Soup Chicken Noodle & Tomato, other brands and flavors available

1/2 of the Hormel shelf-stable dinners we talk about (noticed the price increase to $1.84 from $1.49)

Gelled fruit cups (school lunches?)

1/2 Spaghetti noodles picked over, other macaroni there

Dr Dave – at 21:48

IWOT: We went to a Chicago-area Sams Club again today and picked up another 300,000 calories for under $250. Shelves were quite full. Lines were short. Prices were still pretty good. Calm before the storm.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 22:34

Yep, and I bought more popcorn, thinking of your plan! What other products are you buying on your plan? I’m also shooting for more low carb stuff for my brother since he’s diabetic, where when I was just planning for DH and me in the beginning. Later it occured to me that it would be good to have something like that for a couple of neighbors with similar issues. I found bulk (sort of) soup base with MSG since I have a neighbor who’s sensitive to that.

Dr Dave – at 22:49

IWOT: If high glycemic foods are an issue, then caloric control will be paramount. Perhaps consider several small meals for your brother along with plenty of physical activity. In our family plan about half of the calories will come from bulk storage of pinto beans, lentils, split peas, pasta, rice, popcorn, oatmeal, peanut butter, tuna, and powdered milk.

Low carb is a tough one, because of the high cost for canned meats and vegetables. For a diabetic, physical activity and portion control will be very important.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 23:12

I know….I’ve purchased SEVERAL diabetic cookbooks just to get a feel for the specific needs. He (57 yr old) doesn’t stick to the diet religously, but does walk & exercise lightly most days, and tests blood often. I had planned our foods with heavier carbs than usual to adjust for doing more physical labor than normal. I get confused and don’t understand exchanges—like what you’re exchanging them with — in my mind you’ve got to HAVE something in order to be able to exchange something, so I don’t know what all to start with first so I can see what to switch. I’ve got to read the intros in the books to figure it all out.

Also bought a book about potassium & sodium combinations….haven’t read yet.

Olymom – at 23:39

There’s a behavior gem that works: find something to complement your spouse on (something you sincerely like/ admire). In a few days mention somthing else in a genuine and warm fashion. It may take a few weeks but it is human nature to return a compliment — so in a few weeks you may find yourself hearing how much he appreciates all the work/planning you do.

I do this when I am close to neck wringing —seeding the turf with some compliments is “my revenge” — it’s kept me from aggravated assault more than once.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 23:46

Olymom, I’m open to any ideas in that regard….I’m afraid handing him my long honey-do lists sort of works against me in the end!

I almost bought a body bag off ebay yesterday just to have on hand!

10 September 2006

Beatrice Elizabeth in uk – at 04:59

Well i think people here in the uk are preparing no matter what is said,Every sat and sun in asda the basic supplies are stripped bare.Oil pasta rice basic tins so nothing will convince me otherwise i saw a middleage couple yesterday with a tray each of 12 carrots peas tomatoes and nearly every other veg i am sure of their motive as they looked for expiry dates on the tin the other give away is large tea bags and dried milk that has been very kindly put on offer Formerly Anon in uk good morning Frenchiegirl

FrenchieGirlat 05:30

Good morning Beatrice Elizabeth in uk – at 04:59. D’you know, I lived in Wales (Cardiff and Swansea) for two years when I was very young. I see on the laundry thread you and I have some common experience! As for empty shelves, did some shopping yesterday morning, not the same area as last week, stocks continue to have slight dents in the basic foods (pasta, rice, flour, sugar, oil, etc.) but it was less noticeable this time (probably because I went there early). So here in the South of Geneva, where there are much less international civil servants living, I’d think people are a “little prepping” but I would not ascribe this, yet, to bird flu. People just seem to take 2/3 items more of everything. Don’t forget we’re only just back from the August holidays. Will go to the North of Geneva next Saturday and see if the situation repeats itself as last week.

Average Concerned Mom – at 08:20

IWOT at 23:46 HEE HEE, funny, I almost want to put that on the quote thread but out of context it isn’t quite so funny! (-:

SaddleTrampat 09:51

We have a lot of grocery stores within driving distance, including the really big ones likes WalMart, Costco (2), Shoppers, Giant, Safeway, etc. I havent noticed much in the way of general prep shortages except the store brands of veggies and fruits which they never seem to stock enough of.

One thing that is annoying me - and is probably related more to marketing than fluprep - are the “10 for $10 sales”…and then they only put 10–15 items on the shelf at one time. I dont know of they restock them throughout the day, but I can rarely get more than 10 at a time. WalMart and Giant are really bad for this. Must be a come-on.

Food Lion does stock significant amounts of sale items, though, esp. things like spaghetti products and Hispanic items. Our closest WalMart is also stocking much more of the Hispanic-cooking basics, like cooking oil, rice, canned beans and tomatoes, corn meal, etc.

This is working out great for the (unfortunately) few preppers we have here.

I’ve also decided to cut back on my BF notices and information sharing, so I can concentrate more on helping my immediate family, close friends, and neighbors. I think the time is getting short and I only have so much energy to expend on people who have been warned repeatedly of the danger, but are still farting it off.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 12:00

Average Concerned Mom – at 08:20

Yeah, and if he had an accidental death (God forbid) it could be used against me as motive!!! :-)

Best not to call too much attention to it after all….(ducks down & hides)

11 September 2006

LA Escapee – at 18:06

I’m-Workin’-On-It at 22:34:

I just found out about a type of legume called “chana dal.” They look like yellow split peas but are not the same thing. They are VERY low on the glycemic index and considered a really good food for diabetics. You can buy them dry in 1 lb packages in Indian or international food markets, or on the internet. There is a website that explains about them, mendosa.com/chanadal.html. The web site also has links to a lot of info about foods for diabetics - I found it really informative.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 21:52

LA Escapee – at 18:06 thanks!! I’ll go check it out!

MAinVAat 23:39

SaddleTramp @ 09:51 on 9/10 “One thing that is annoying me - and is probably related more to marketing than fluprep - are the “10 for $10 sales”…and then they only put 10–15 items on the shelf at one time. I dont know of they restock them throughout the day, but I can rarely get more than 10 at a time. WalMart and Giant are really bad for this. Must be a come-on.”

It’s my understanding that if you look carefully around the store there will be other products for sale @ 10/$10. That is because you can mix and match the 10 items from among those that are offered for that price. At least that is what one store clerk told me at my local store. Only once did I actually buy 10 of the same item — boxes of instant mashed potatoes in different flavors.

13 September 2006

lady biker – at 16:48

I was shopping in WalMarts the other day, I needed to fix a oil lamp that needed some parts replaced. I found the parts but there was only two , I got one, will get some extra later. I hate taking the last of anything, feel like someone might need it worse than me. I also brought some extra wicks and there were not many of them either and yup I did, I took the last bottle of lamp oil that they had. I couldn’t believe a whole shelf empty with one bottle sitting there. it looked lonely so I brought it home. LOL. the camping dept looked pretty well stocked, and so far it’s all good. when I see more empty shelves I’ll probably go into panic mode, and empty a few myself. I did get more cooking oil and about 50 packs of Koolaid. If this BF does hit, I’ll miss My Mt.Dew and I do like black cherry koolaid with splenda so I stocked up there. I had to quit smoking and no drinking with my meds so all my vices are gone but Mt.Dew and looking like I’ll loose it too. sigh………. it’s a cruel world out there. :{

17 September 2006

LA Escapee – at 01:34

For those in the West, Smith’s Food and Drug chain (owned by Kroger) is having an unbelievably good prep sale this week - and prep sale is what it is. Skippy peanut butter $1 a jar, tuna at $.39 per can (sold by the case - 48 cans per case), canned Hormel chili by the case, canned Spam, canned mandarin oranges 3 for $1, by the case or singly, cans of lite and regular fruit cocktail by the case, corn oil, 10 apple juice for $10, cases of Campbell’s spaghetti, tomato soup and chicken noodle soup, house brand soup, house brand canned beans, corn and green beans, Dinty Moore stew by the case. They are big cases too - 12, 24, or 48 cans per case. Cake mixes on sale for .89 cents, frosting for .89. Kroger brand pork and beans for .25 cents each. Pretty much every convenience prep you can think of. To get these prices you have to have a club card. I saved $72 on a $50 bill.

I spoke to the clerk and asked him if people were buying a lot - he said people were buying “ten times” what I was. Good! He had no idea why though - he thought it was a local promotion only. I hope it isn’t. I do know they were promoting it on the radio as a “stocking up” sale. Interesting to see what’s wiped out - tuna and peanut butter.

FrenchieGirlat 05:26

Did my shopping yesterday… Sunny, light breeze, 25°Celsius, lunchtime

Carrrefour, Segny, France, located North of Geneva: Saw one couple, early thirties, purposedly take two of everything. Basics already had a sizeable dent in. Many prep items on sale. Caveat: Ramadan is coming up and families are stocking up for it, so it may not be prepping buying. The lady at the Customers Desk says all of Geneva had already descended and raided the shop in the morning. However saw only two WHO registered cars, one consular plates, two temporary import plates, one UN plates, the rest local plates. So I cannot say that people are massively buying for bird flu.

Ed, Ferney-Voltaire, France, located North of Geneva: essentially same story, 3 WHO cars, but that would not be unusual, and I did not see carts full of prep items, except one obviously Middle-East middle-aged couple, stocking up on sugar, flour and oil, most likely for the Ramadan cakes, did not see them unload, but did not look the kind to have a WHO car. Car park: 3 mission plates, otherwise just locals.

I think when I start seeing more that 25–30 funny plates in one supermarket car park, I’ll start worrying. Till then, I’m feeling pretty calm.

Dr Dave – at 07:55

Here in the Chicago suburbs the shelves are still very full and the variety is quite good. Although my family has finally acquired enough food, toiletries, and household supplies for one full year, we are now working on a second year. If the economic recovery is as slow as it is predicted to be, then whatever food does become available could cost more than it does now. In addition, there is the possibility that my household will emerge from the pandemic with a diminished income, or with no income at all. So, we are not just prepping for the pandemic, but also for a long, slow recovery.

I guess I should also mention that we are setting aside 100 pounds of rice and 100 pounds of pinto beans to ration out to our neighbors on an as-needed basis. If we can save a neighbor from starving without jeopardizing our own welfare, then we will be happy to do so. We certainly do not want to emerge from this pandemic as the villains of the neighborhood.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 08:19

Dr Dave – at 07:55 If the economic recovery is as slow as it is predicted to be, then whatever food does become available could cost more than it does now.

I just posted over on the news thread that World Bank predicts that a BF pandemic could cost the global community up to $2 trillion dollars rather than the $800 billion first predicted.

That’s an ouch, since our economy is the biggest in the U.S.

I’m in a slow mode right now….I spent a ton of money last month & need to tone it down. I hit a point where I felt ‘comfortable’ with what we had, but every once in awhile, something pops into my mind that I need to ‘fix’. For instance, we keep about 3 bottles of laundry detergent at any given time, but the washing by hand thread (I think it is) suggested having Woolite (of which I have none) on hand so I’m now wondering, “What was I thinking?” I have one of the Miracle Washers — had it for years — but I feel like I now need Woolite!!!!!

There’s always something else that you can add to try to make unpleasant times more comfortable!

Mari – at 10:08

LA Escapee – at 01:34 - In my town, the Smith’s aren’t requiring buying case lots to get the good per can price.

LA Escapee – at 10:23

Mari - No, I don’t believe they are here either. However, this is the first time I’ve seen Smith’s sell anything by the case - in the front of the stores they have stacks of cases around with the per case price, and the per can price. (The stuff in front of the store is the big promotion). I go to Costco and Sam’s Club a lot, and the cases there are smaller - usually 6, 8, 10 or 12 packs of cans shrink wrapped and sold as a “case.” Smith’s has 12, 24 and 48 packs of items that are usally sold as no more than 10 per “case” at Sam’s and Costco. BTW, the tuna cases were 48 cans for $19.89, a savings of $38.23 over the regular price according to the receipt. That’s pretty drastic. I wonder how much profit that is. Wholesale price?

In the Smith’s radio commericals, they specifically mentioned a “stock up” sale, telling people to buy a lot of extras and save.

LA Escapee – at 10:25

Mari, if you go, check the expiration dates. The stuff on the shelves was near or past expiration. The stuff in the case was brand new.

Mari – at 11:10

LA Escapee – at 10:25 - Thanks! I think I took individual cans from the display of cases at the front of the store. If I go back tomorrow, I’ll compare dates for cans at different locations in the store.

At least almost everything from Smith’s has a “best used by date”, while many of the Albertson’s products don’t.

Average Concerned Mom – at 11:26

LA Escapee — our local Giant grocery (in Maryland) is having the very same “stock up” sale — though I’ve seen enough of these come and go that I think it is probably just stock-up- for- schools lunches and so on. But yes, a lot of big sales on pantry items.

Funny thing for me was, I don’t need those items any more — now that I am doing home canning, I am stocking up on otehr things. I did buy a lot of baking supplies yesterday and for the first time ever was milkdly questioned about it by a grocery store checker — my cart containes sacks of special flour for Indian flat breads and several pounds of dried chick peas… the only legume missing from my pantry at the moment. Plus flour and bread baking supplies. I told her I was having an Indian food party; don’t feel like explaining myself in the checkout line at this point….

OKbirdwatcherat 13:34

While shopping at Wal-Mart on Thursday, a cashier was on one of the aisles and said to me “Doesn’t it seem like there are a lot of bare shelves?” I jokingly answered “Yes, there are a lot of bare spots, but maybe that’s because I’m shopping.” She seemed to be taken back by the situation. I told her to let them know they need to get some inventory in that store! :-)

KimTat 14:02

Went shopping at Walmart yesterday too, the hispanic isle was picked through, they also had cases of tuna, veggies, beans in the middle of the isles. I don’t normally see that. Yesterdays trip was for more non-food items and birthday stuff for my daughter. She is 15 today.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 14:42

Happy Birthday to her KimT!!!

Oremus – at 16:10

Wallyworld last night, noticed they have doubled (maybe more) their supply of condensed and powdered milk, the UHT milk looked about the same amount but more prominantly displayed.

KimTat 19:41

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 14:42

Thanks! just got back from family visits…. Now its time to kick back and veg a little here before getting ready for work in the morning.

anonymous – at 19:58

Went to Sam’s today and noticed the entrance had lots of bottled water, paper towels, and other hurricane type things which is not unusual down here. Was concerned when I got to the rice aisle, and all 50 pound bags of rice were gone, as were half of the 20 pound bags! Lots of vegetable oil missing too. On the way out I saw one older man with three flatbeds. On one flat bed were six or so bags of rice. He didn’t have all of the ones that should have been there. I look at it as good news. I barely glanced as I don’t want anybody to ever feel I’m judging them for prepping. In my heart I’m doing cartwheels! He had lots of other prep type stuff, like he’s prepping for his kids and grandkids.

Orlandopreppie – at 19:59

cookies must have been cleaned by accident, that was me above.

Ruth – at 20:06

Mari at 11:10 I have several Alberston Products and I called the company to decode the cans for me. The first time they did it by phone, several months later, it seemed to be more difficult. The women took down all the code info and a week or so later, I received a letter with the decoding info. I did mention to the woman while I was on the phone, that people may be stocking up for various reasons, and they should put readable codes on all their cans. She agreed and said she would pass on the suggestion.

18 September 2006

LauraBat 10:34

There was an article recently either in WSJ or Business Week about how Wallyworld is trying to target what it carries for demographic groups for specific stores - in other words, neighborhood by neighborhood. A Wallyworld in a more upscale suburb might carry more organic items, higher-end electronics, etc. while on in a more rural area would have hunting equipment. Normally they operate more or less on a “everyone carries teh same thing” philosphy.

Problem with this plan is it is very difficult to execute well. Grocery stores have been trying to do it for ages and they are regional, not a gigantic nation-wide chain like Wallyworl. It will also mean more experimentation at the local store level - in other words they could no longer carry stuff you are used to carrying, or they run out becuse they don’t expect it to sell so fast, etc. Good luck with that….

Petticoat Junction – at 11:06

I noticed last night that the WalMart here had just rearranged the shelves in the pharmacy section so that flu remedies are now a stand-alone section, no longer mixed in with the various cough, cold and allergy stuff. Even though we’re going into flu season, I don’t remember ever seeing them do that before.

They had both allopathic and homeopathic products. Several of the spots were bare, but in looking at the tags many of them were products with which I was not familiar, so it looks like they may be expanding the section as well and are waiting for the new stock to arrive.

Interesting.

Kathy in FL – at 11:23

I noticed nearly all of the grocers … from wallyworld down to our local Publix and Winn Dixie … appear to be doing more rearranging than usual.

Our Winn Dixie finally started restocking powdered egg whites and flaxseed meal. They still don’t carry pearled barley but the Publix does, though you do have to look closely for it. Wallyworld is having trouble stocking the Hispanic sections … I think because of the quickly expanding Mexican population in our area. I need to stock up on some seasonings and cooking wines and hopefully they will be in stock next time I go.

Pat in AZ – at 22:04

Interesting post over at The Oil Drum. Search for “An Update on Shortages” (it’s near the bottom).

“A few weeks ago several of us commented on what seemed to be shortages in supermarkets and big box stores. … I have kept track of this phenomenon in order to determine whether or not it was chronic or a blip. I have done this by keeping a rough check of the inventory levels of the various stores I shop at…”

mj – at 22:40

About Pat in AZ – at 22:04 posting. The Oil Drum. Search for “An Update on Shortages” (it’s near the bottom). The post is by optimist on Monday September 18, 2006 at 4:07 PM EST. Interesting comments. Junk food and bakery goods are not effected. Looks like we’re being healthy preppers.

Okieman – at 22:57

I also read the post on The Oil Drum that Pat in AZ – at 22:04 mentions. If the poster is correct in his/her observation it surely does appear that folks are prepping enough to effect the supply chain.

I will take that as good news.

OKbirdwatcherat 23:04

Possibly, there’s just more money to be made on the junk food items as opposed to the basic food items???

19 September 2006

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 14:54

There just are NO empty shelves in my WalMart — just left there after wandering through the food aisles, the camping aisles — everything is still there, as always!

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 15:28

Oh forgot to mention….I bought a large box of the WalMart brand GV instant milk (that stuff is actually very good) and the cashier looked at it and said, is that acutally dried milk? When I think about how basic it is to my preps, then to find someone who doesn’t even know what it IS, well, it’s unnerving.

21 September 2006

Average Concerned Mom – at 10:00

This thread seems to be about “The State of Grocery Stores” and types of items people are buying so I thought it would be useful to put this here.

In today’s New York Times, there is an article in the food section “Dining In” by Julia Moskin. “In Search of Grocery Gems”. I can’t provide a link to the article without a subscription, though, perhaps someone else knows how?

Anyhow, in the artcile, she mentions having spent the summer “wallowing in fresh produce” but now it is time to “Embrace the assignment of learning to love my supermarket” — she was searching “not just for individual ingredients I already buy from the grocery store” (like flour, sugar and frozen peas) but for “ready-to-eat food I might not have fully appreciated before.” Looking for food that is “reasonably wholesome and possibly delicious”. She specifically was not looking for produce or frozen foods.

She goes on to review and recommend the best of the staples — oatmeals, lentil soups, crackers, bacon and cheeses, baked beans, pickles, pasta sauce, and shortbread. Finally, there is column for her best recommendations for “Pantry Prep”.

I found this article both useful (I also am looking for pantry items that do not have unwholesome ingredients yet taste delicious and have a long shelf life!) and interesting with regards to timing. And maybe I am overly attuned, but the term “Pantry Prep” is an unusual one! (-:

Torange – at 12:49

Went to wallyworld to get some more vitamin D and the shelf was empty.

JWB – at 13:18

Sorry Torange. That was me. :-)

24 September 2006

prepmaniac – at 07:36

The Sams that I go to now has dried beans in ten lb bags for the first time. Only a few bags were left. The milk supply was the most remarkable. Only three boxes of the uht were left, where there used to be a large area for the uht and powdered milk, there was a large empty space. Almost all of the canned milk was gone. I have never seen the milk cleaned out like this.

Dr Dave – at 07:54

Prepmaniac,

If there is any silver lining in the gray cloud of denial that seems to hang over the Chicago suburbs it is this: the shelves around here are jammed full and it is wonderful. Sure, the prices are creeping up, but my local Sam’s Club still has 25 pound sacks of pinto beans for $9.73 and 25 pound sacks of rice for $5.64. In addition, one of the ig supermarket chains had lentils for only 35 cents per pound.

Although I am set for one year and am working on a second year, my latest quest was to get enough rice and beans to help a few of my neighbors, should the need arise. At these prices, I recently set aside an additional 250 pounds of food for only $80.

prepmaniac – at 16:22

Wow! I wonder why they don’t truck some of that surplus here. The 10 lb. bag of beans cost over $6.00 here.

prepmaniac – at 16:25

In the grocery store it is 1.25 for a 1 lb. bag of beans. You seem to be in a good place for prepping Dr. Dave.

Dennis in Colorado – at 16:45

Exactly the same price at our local Sam’s Club that Dr Dave quoted above: $5.64 for 25# of rice (and $4.56 for 10# pinto beans).

Pixie – at 18:28

I would like to see churches and the many (vocal and powerful) senior citizens groups make up buckets of beans and rice for the elderly, shut-in, and those who won’t be able to access food in a crisis. As Dr. Dave said, the cost would be rather minimal for such groups to shoulder. Basics like these would have gone a long way even during events such as Katrina, so a pandemic would not have to be the entire rationale for such preparations. Now how to spur them from thinking to action?

Goju – at 18:31

How will they cook them? What about heat? What about water?

Tough questions. I needd to bring answers to the town elders.

Pixie – at 18:37

Ok, never mind. Let them eat cake. How much is cake at Sams Club?

Oh wait - somebody got in trouble for saying that once, didn’t she? ;-)

Dr Dave – at 19:12

Goju,

Since food is still cheap and abundant, I am doing my best to organize my close neighbors. Yes, I have some retirees nearby, and a family or two that can not really afford adequate preps, but I have also identified plenty of folks whose contributions will be important for the entire neighborhood, both during a pandemic and during the recovery. For example, within a short walk, my neighbors include a firefighter, a plumber, a mechanic, a carpenter, a dentist, an electrician, and a caterer. I have been sharing my views with them and they are really coming around. Several of us have both city water and private wells, along with generators and fuel, so water for all purposes should not be an issue.

I may be the first one around here to begin stocking food for my neighbors, but if I fail to anticipate a need of this sort, I will probably feel obliged to dip into my family’s food store. So, I might as well set somthing aside that can see a couple of my neighbors through a rough week or two. My goal in this regard is fairly simple: one month’s worth of beans and rice for a family of four, or one week’s worth of beans and rice for four families of four. This is assuming a caloric need of 2,000 calories per person per day.

Am I nuts? Yes, I suppose this qualifies.

Goju – at 20:29

You are doing us all a favor by helping those around you.

30 September 2006

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 22:16

Well, we were at Sam’s Club today. Mid-morning, no ball games on, beautiful day, rain not keeping people away & I only saw one man with something like 32 cases of small cans of dogfood leaving the building. The shelves were FULL of prep stuff here and there, but NONE of it was being chosen, purchased & lovingly hauled off to a prep closet — it was all sitting there in the store being totally IGNORED!

So disappointing. There were lot of people shopping, but they were getting TV’s and stacking chairs and copy paper & Christmas decorations, but NOT PREPS.

Monotreme – at 22:35

Closed and continued here.

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