Stocking the cupboards in the event of a pandemic in the USA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain powdered milk? Is it for drinking - just add water?

- not a prepper but need lattes to survive

My mom used to buy this in the 1980s because, she claimed, she didn't want us to drink milk from "Chernobyl" cows. But really, she was just CHEAP. Yes. You mix it like Koolaid. Its nasty.

Its probably more for adding to baked goods or upping the caloric content of other foods rather than drinking...

You can reconstitute it, but blech.

You can freeze milk. I would rather do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Indian-American household. We have so much rice, beans, lentils, various kinds of flour, various kinds of cooking oils, spices, salt, sugar, canned and frozen goods as a matter of routine that we can probably survive for months.

We are also cook-from-scratch kind of people - so that helps.

Previously-poor American from the deep south here. Me too except for the "various kinds of flour" ...so curious about that.. plan to google later.

Yup. My parents bring a truckload of canned goods and laundry soap everytime they visit. I haven't stocked up and I have 10lbs rice, 10lbs dried legumes, 10lbs pasta, gallon of cooking oil, so much canned tomatoes, fruit, vegetables-for one adult and one kid.

previously poor person here. I can't help but food hoard. I also can't help but hoard socks, undies, and basic home needs. I'm a little embarrassed to say this but I have, easily, 6-months of tp, tissue, soap, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, pads, razors ect...I even have stored tamaflu, rx cough meds, eye and ear drops, adult OTC meds...so much stuff. I can't stop myself.

For this possible pandemic, I need OTC liquid advil and tylanol. That's it. Because of the season, stores are low on that stuff.

This is super crazy: I just planted frost-safe veggies. !!! I know it's crazy but as an affluent DCUM-er, I can't stop myself. That said, I don't have a gun.

PP, do not be embarrassed. I will join you in the toiletries/ meds hoarding category. I discovered, when I cleaned out my bathroom vanity a month ago, that I can't pass up a shampoo/ conditioner/ soap/ tampon etc sale. I have lots of prescription asthma drugs stockpiled, and some Z-packs. I am using most things up before I buy more, because I do have more than enough and $$ are tight at this moment. I have also food hoarded in the past, so I am using up lots of canned green beans/ pineapple/ black beans.
I also think your frost veggies are a good idea.

Thank you. I'm planting potatoes when it's time...maybe in boxes. I've done both boxes and beds. Can't decide. It's the only carb I can create out of dirt and sun!

I tried growing vegetables. The chipmunks enjoyed them a lot.

Same. The deer and squirrels were like “thanks!” Never again. The only thing they leave is my Basil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol

This title made me laugh. Of course the most obese nation in the world is worried about running out of food.

The bigger issue is what will all of the Starbucks addicts do? God forbid they should have to drink regular coffee at home.

I have a $4,000 one-touch espresso latte machine that makes better coffee than Starbucks. I sometimes use Starbucks beans, but find other boutique beans I like even more.

I work from home and it’s paid for itself by not buying out.

I have a $20 Mr. Coffee that makes better coffee than Starbucks.

I have a Nespresso but this is a good reminder that I should stock up on coffee pods for the quarantine period. And shelf stable milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain powdered milk? Is it for drinking - just add water?

- not a prepper but need lattes to survive

My mom used to buy this in the 1980s because, she claimed, she didn't want us to drink milk from "Chernobyl" cows. But really, she was just CHEAP. Yes. You mix it like Koolaid. Its nasty.

Its probably more for adding to baked goods or upping the caloric content of other foods rather than drinking...

You can reconstitute it, but blech.

You can freeze milk. I would rather do that.

Just buy the milk cartons that you'd put in a kid's lunch...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished stocking in case s$&* hits the fan. I do suffer from anxiety so this maybe over the top:

Pantry:
Cereal.
Oatmeal.
Pasta and sauce.
Pancake mix.
Popcorn 2 family boxes.
Lentils, Dried Beans, Spices, Salt, Sugar.
Instant noodles-6 packs
Rice 20lb bag.
Flour.
Eggs 4 dozen.
Meats - freezer stocked.
Frozen vegetables 7-8 bags.
Jams etc.
Powdered milk.
Cookies, Chocolate, Nuts.
Fresh vegetables and fruits.
Canned tomatoes.
Cans of soup.
Canned beans.
3 milk gallons.
2 butter.
Bread.

Miscellaneous:

Paper towels, Tissues, 2 propane cylinders, water, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizers, anti bacterial soaps, N95 and Surgical masks, nitrile gloves and clear protective glasses.

Medicine:
Prescription meds.
Advil - Kids and Regular.
Mucinex kids, Theraflu, Vitamin C, allergy meds, first aid, digestion meds etc.

We have two refrigerators so that helps. This stock is in addition to my regular stock. Hope this helps!

I think this is the best post in this thread. Well done PP.

Some of those things will be family specific but many are applicable to most families. I'd add:

Toothpaste, deodorant, feminine supplies, pet supplies (if needed)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol

This title made me laugh. Of course the most obese nation in the world is worried about running out of food.

The bigger issue is what will all of the Starbucks addicts do? God forbid they should have to drink regular coffee at home.

I have a $4,000 one-touch espresso latte machine that makes better coffee than Starbucks. I sometimes use Starbucks beans, but find other boutique beans I like even more.

I work from home and it’s paid for itself by not buying out.

I have a $20 Mr. Coffee that makes better coffee than Starbucks.

I have a Nespresso but this is a good reminder that I should stock up on coffee pods for the quarantine period. And shelf stable milk.

I ordered $200 worth of pods yesterday. I can go without a lot of things but not having coffee makes me feel sick and have a headache.

[Anonymous]

Useful article from the Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/02/26/how-to-prepare-for-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2_dB-j0xIAKfFHJe_xkESxv4jyZEyiaNkFAgUlACK3BbyslEUZ75mYWzg&utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DH is turning into a preppier-lite. He bought water storage containers last week and I think we have like three liters of water a day for each person for three weeks in our basement. I don't even know where in the basement because I haven't looked. He talked to me this morning about building up our stocks of canned food. I'm not a prepper person and think this is all quite silly. But, for marital harmony and to calm his anxiety, I will be slowly buying extra canned food. At least it doesn't go bad quickly so I'm sure we'll use it regardless.

I didn't even think about flour and beans, etc. That's a good add. I'll include that on my list.

Preppier lite? So khakis and pastel polo shirts but he draws the line at Vineyard Vines?

[Anonymous]

I'm running out today to get a few things. We already have a healthy pantry, and I restocked meds in December when we were going on a west coast vacation. I'm not too worried about water for this sort of thing. If we have to stay at home for an extended period of time I think we'll have food for 2-3 months without restocking. It may not be fun towards the end but we won't starve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DH is turning into a preppier-lite. He bought water storage containers last week and I think we have like three liters of water a day for each person for three weeks in our basement. I don't even know where in the basement because I haven't looked. He talked to me this morning about building up our stocks of canned food. I'm not a prepper person and think this is all quite silly. But, for marital harmony and to calm his anxiety, I will be slowly buying extra canned food. At least it doesn't go bad quickly so I'm sure we'll use it regardless.

I didn't even think about flour and beans, etc. That's a good add. I'll include that on my list.

Preppier lite? So khakis and pastel polo shirts but he draws the line at Vineyard Vines?

Well, in a crisis like this it's important to at least have a pair of Jack Rogers sandals at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DH is turning into a preppier-lite. He bought water storage containers last week and I think we have like three liters of water a day for each person for three weeks in our basement. I don't even know where in the basement because I haven't looked. He talked to me this morning about building up our stocks of canned food. I'm not a prepper person and think this is all quite silly. But, for marital harmony and to calm his anxiety, I will be slowly buying extra canned food. At least it doesn't go bad quickly so I'm sure we'll use it regardless.

I didn't even think about flour and beans, etc. That's a good add. I'll include that on my list.

Preppier lite? So khakis and pastel polo shirts but he draws the line at Vineyard Vines?

Well, in a crisis like this it's important to at least have a pair of Jack Rogers sandals at least.

I thought the same thing when I read it. No need to go full on preppy, but a lite version is always wise (per the CDC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DH is turning into a preppier-lite. He bought water storage containers last week and I think we have like three liters of water a day for each person for three weeks in our basement. I don't even know where in the basement because I haven't looked. He talked to me this morning about building up our stocks of canned food. I'm not a prepper person and think this is all quite silly. But, for marital harmony and to calm his anxiety, I will be slowly buying extra canned food. At least it doesn't go bad quickly so I'm sure we'll use it regardless.

I didn't even think about flour and beans, etc. That's a good add. I'll include that on my list.

Preppier lite? So khakis and pastel polo shirts but he draws the line at Vineyard Vines?

Well, in a crisis like this it's important to at least have a pair of Jack Rogers sandals at least.

It's actually the perfect time to pull out the Jacks. They are uncomfortable to walk in, but if you are confined to your house they work well. Hopefully the weather is a little warmer before this hits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DH is turning into a preppier-lite. He bought water storage containers last week and I think we have like three liters of water a day for each person for three weeks in our basement. I don't even know where in the basement because I haven't looked. He talked to me this morning about building up our stocks of canned food. I'm not a prepper person and think this is all quite silly. But, for marital harmony and to calm his anxiety, I will be slowly buying extra canned food. At least it doesn't go bad quickly so I'm sure we'll use it regardless.

I didn't even think about flour and beans, etc. That's a good add. I'll include that on my list.

Preppier lite? So khakis and pastel polo shirts but he draws the line at Vineyard Vines?

Well, in a crisis like this it's important to at least have a pair of Jack Rogers sandals at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished stocking in case s$&* hits the fan. I do suffer from anxiety so this maybe over the top:

Pantry:
Cereal.
Oatmeal.
Pasta and sauce.
Pancake mix.
Popcorn 2 family boxes.
Lentils, Dried Beans, Spices, Salt, Sugar.
Instant noodles-6 packs
Rice 20lb bag.
Flour.
Eggs 4 dozen.
Meats - freezer stocked.
Frozen vegetables 7-8 bags.
Jams etc.
Powdered milk.
Cookies, Chocolate, Nuts.
Fresh vegetables and fruits.
Canned tomatoes.
Cans of soup.
Canned beans.
3 milk gallons.
2 butter.
Bread.

Miscellaneous:

Paper towels, Tissues, 2 propane cylinders, water, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizers, anti bacterial soaps, N95 and Surgical masks, nitrile gloves and clear protective glasses.

Medicine:
Prescription meds.
Advil - Kids and Regular.
Mucinex kids, Theraflu, Vitamin C, allergy meds, first aid, digestion meds etc.

We have two refrigerators so that helps. This stock is in addition to my regular stock. Hope this helps!

Milk and eggs are one thing I would not buy a lot of at one time.

[Anonymous]

where are you keeping all of this stuff? In a tub in a closet or in your pantry?

If my husband comes home and sees all this in the pantry he's going to think I've gone crazy lol