Is anyone stocking up their food pantry with non perishables (per Beck)?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Jurrians on February 21, 2010 at 10:50pm

don't forget rice, granola or trail mix, powdered drink mixes. My husband suggested Bert's surplus for MRE's. We haven't got to that point yet as they are something like $10 each. We have an actual list of survival stuff that you would need if you need to go "off the grid." It suggests getting one of those sportsmen's vests like hunters or fishermen wear. Lots of pockes to put the stuff on the list. No harm in being prepared.

It's too bad it has come to this.

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Permalink Reply by Fred Bertsch on February 22, 2010 at 8:59am

Jim - what Cindy and I are doing is clipping coupons and waiting for items to go on sale. We buy from 10-20 dollars etra each time we go to the store. That way we can get the smaller servings like you were saying. We also go to Save-a-lots/Aldis once a month to pick stuff up. Our effort is not so much survivalist (although) it could be that but more of a movement to move closer to the food chain and become more self reliant - off the Grid.

We have installed a wood buring system (our propane system is the backup) and we raise our own animals/vegetables/some fruits/honey etc. Installing a backup generator this coming year. We do a lot of canning and other preserving as well - with dehydrator/smoking/freezing. Some claim you should have 3 months to a year of food. We maintain a running inventory. My view is that it is a small chance that we will have to use the supplies but a wise man hopes for the best and prepares for the worst.

Pastas/Powdered milk/hamburger Helper knds of things/complete pancake mix/Peanut butter - all useful depending no tastes.

Make sure you have your tangibles stocked up - nuts/bolts/ammo/tools/batteries/bleach/laundry supplies/TP etc.

most important of all - secure a water supply - get a hand pump filter and some way to purify. Store at least a few weeks worth of water.

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Permalink Reply by Janie Gorham on February 22, 2010 at 11:57am

Yes. We have a lot of canned food. I place a date on the top/lid of the cans for when i buy them so that I use the oldest cans up first. Love the early October can good sales that Meijer and Family Fare have as well. I will have to explain to you some day the cabinet I have set up that rolls my canned good down and around. Very similar to the campbell soup displays you find in the grocery stores but much bigger. We have done this for years, but now have a feeling of urgency. Janie

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Permalink Reply by Janie Gorham on February 22, 2010 at 12:08pm

Oh, and one more thing. When thinking of the larger commercial cans of vegetables, the juice that is found in those cans to pack the vegetables can be used to cook a little rice or instant potatoes. Don't toss that liquid out! Put it to use.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Wood on February 22, 2010 at 1:53pm

Jim..try Aldi's and Save-a-Lot. I've shopped both stores for the past few years, and I've been extremely happy with pretty much everything I've tried. Up until Aldi's I'd rarely try an off-brand, because frankly..there was always some "off" about the taste. I don't find that to be the case at either of the above stores. That said, the canned food is cheap..in normal serving containers, and they're already in the box. The big plus...is no membership cost, just your quarter to use the shopping cart. One more thing...I've noticed that the dollar stores canned goods are often more expensive than our "regular" grocery stores. Aldi's price lists can be found on the internet for comparison shopping.

I need to get my keister in gear and get stocked...first item on the list, an extra manual can opener.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Chiodo on February 22, 2010 at 2:38pm

I have always leaned towards big brand names. At one time, I was a senior manager for a large food distribution company. Although I didn't work in the purchasing dept, my first two weeks were spent a day or two in every dept. I even rode along in a delivery truck. They wouldn't let me drive, but i got to honk the horn. HA.

What I learned from purchasing was they would buy for their own canning an entire crop from a farm. Before they did that, the purchasing guys would review quality history from that particular farm. They also looked at weather patterns, land usage, and other stuff that goes into how the product grows and hence, the overall quality. The purchasers got pretty good at picking winners. The more experienced buyers with bigger purchasing power generally got the best stuff. That's not to say, off brand cannot be good, but it's more of a roll of the dice. The off brands are specifically looking for price. Price is also important to purchasers from big companies but senior managers over purchasing aren't too happy if there are complaints about particular canned goods.

Call me unlucky (or having a "refined taste", snobby, picky, etc) but many of the off brands we have tried over the years have been a disappointment. If you hit the grocery stores during a sale, it is an opportunity to stock up but lately, I am seeing limits for sale items or "get this price when you buy a bunch of other listed products"

After going to costco, sams, GFS, aldi, save-a-lot, and the dollar store, writing down everything including brand names, sizes, etc, I have found more brand name items lower priced than the others. I did a spreadsheet with cost per ounce and of course, the big size cans were better, but then there is that issue of wanting regular size cans, not one you can take a bath. Comparing regular can brand for brand, my comparison shows the dollar store lowest. Today, my wife opened a can of Vandekamp's Chicken of the Sea tuna. I'm not sure how they can use "Chicken of the Sea" and thought that was a brand name, but it was terrible. All tuna has gotten lousy in the last 10 yrs. "Chunk light" used to have flakes of tuna. This Vandekamps was more like mushy cat food. You couldn't even squeeze the water out. This was bought at a dollar store so I guess we need to look for Charlie Tuna or move up to white albacore tuna. I know, i'll get my fishing rod and go over to the lake. Anyone know a good spot for catching tuna?

I had hoped someone reading this would have a connection with a store or something and it would result in a super price at case quantities. I have still have some connections at the food distributer but it doesn't do me any good. Some distributors have normal size cans but you have to be a commercial reseller with a tax stamp to buy from them. Anybody want to go into business and supply the tea parties with food? Maybe you could even call it Tea Party Distributors"

If anyone finds a source who would sell in quantities it might be a good idea for all of us stocker uppers to get together and place a big order.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Wood on February 22, 2010 at 3:52pm

The closest hookup I have is a husband at Perrigo for OTC meds.

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Permalink Reply by Edward Williams on February 23, 2010 at 2:31am

Hi Jim,

Here is a site that should give you some ideas.

Expensive and I know you could probably get things much cheaper if you can find out where.

http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?&sid=INEM750&EID=ALL0210d...

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