What are you noticing at your food store?

[crickets]

47. Same worry about the duration.

I am trying not to put all my hope in the freezer, though I have stuffed it full, including a little extra cheese, butter, milk and a dozen eggs in silicone muffin tin liners stacked in a gallon ziplock. Also people, google how to freeze food flat. It's amazing. (And if everyone already knew this, enjoy laughing at me!)

I have evaporated and powdered milk as well. I will miss fruit most of all, so I will be swimming in it until the two small melons are gone. There are half a dozen oranges/apples & a jar or two of fruit packed in juice for treats down the road.

Expecting at least some power issues, I bought a bag of charcoal to cook outside if need be. No steaks (they take up too much room and don't keep as well as ground meat) but the cast iron pot, pan, and griddle will come in handy for heating water or cooking just about anything else over flames.

What little chicken I bought has skin and bones for maximum calories in minimum portions as well as stock making. A small ham or roast can be cooked and refrozen in chunks for sandwiches, soups, and rice dishes. Bacon keeps well until opened, takes up little room and keeps on giving to other dishes if you save the grease. (Thank you, Publix 2 for 1 sale today, or I wouldn't have thought of it.)

I bought flour, lots of it, have a fair amount of sugar and molasses on hand, and plan to make my own bread and crackers after the few loaves I bought are gone. No plans to freeze any because of space. Will need to remember to print out some extra recipes for that just in case...

Oh, and I went to the liquor store too. Medicinal purposes and all.

I have never actually made fun of doomsday preppers, but I did think they were a bit overboard. I am not thinking that now. For all I stocked up, a lot of my food naturally accumulated in the pantry over time and I still look at the cupboard and wonder how long I could last. My heart goes out to people trying to stretch their budgets to deal with this. I am horrified to think of the number of people who may lose their jobs.

Apologies for the ramble; just thought I would add more ideas in case anyone is interested, and I would love to hear more from others who have thought of ideas for long term.