Prepare

[thunderdownunder]

http://www.pakalertpress.com/2011/01...ng-food-riots/
Australia will not be able to supply - all of our commodities have been wiped out.
Wheat, sugar, cotton, coal, corn, barley, oats, sorghum, citrus, grapes and ground crops.
Water we have for once.
book mark here - http://www.news.com.au/

[Mega]

Re: Prepare

The Poor in 3rd World will die..........Americans will just nip down to Wall mart
Mike

[Kadriana]

Re: Prepare

After your post earlier, my husband and I were motivated to restock our basement pantry. I did notice a big change in price and/or sizes of a lot of since the last time we restocked. I hope you're holding up ok.

[thunderdownunder]

Re: Prepare

Yes Mike they will die - if we let it happen. 350million souls could be feed from the crops that go to "mandated" ethanol in the US. What a bright lot they elect over there. But Mike, for the first time in my life I have seen empty supermarket shelves and what panicked people dissolve into when shortages happen.
It is not a pretty sight - believe me, downright scared me.
I was forced to take stock of what I used and did some calculations. I would starve with a family of 5 mouths in under two weeks and I thought I was prepared! Time to strengthen my "Moat" for at least 3 months.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...attraction.jpg
The thing at the back looks like the Federal shield bird, at least to me

[coolhand]

Re: Prepare

I would echo the sentiment on preparing. I can tell you that here in the Midwestern US heartland, there is a realization setting in amongst the ag crowd after last Wednesday's USDA crop report (revised corn & bean yields down again) that unless we have a record corn crop & the Chinese do NOT increase corn imports from the US, we could run out of corn & possibly beans.

[coolhand]

Re: Prepare

http://www.pakalertpress.com/2011/01...ng-food-riots/
Australia will not be able to supply - all of our commodities have been wiped out.
Wheat, sugar, cotton, coal, corn, barley, oats, sorghum, citrus, grapes and ground crops.
Water we have for once.

Thunder - Can you post any articles from the local Australian press about the commodity shortfalls? Would be quite helpful, thanks in advance!

[shiny!]

Re: Prepare

In addition to shortages from weather and crop failures, every time the Fed prints, the price of food around the world goes up and more people suffer.

Mormons believe that every family should have enough food, water and dry goods to be self sufficient for one year, with the means to defend it.

Get a Solar Oven or learn how to build one. As long as you have sunshine, a dark-colored pot and a little water, you can cook delicous stews, casseroles, breads and desserts without fuel.

Buy rice and several types of beans in 50-pound sacks. Use white rice or white Basmati rice. Brown rice, although more nutritious, goes rancid quickly. Small beans such as mung and lentils cook more quickly than large beans, which might be important if cooking fuel is limited.

Get new, white 5-gallon paint buckets from a hardware store. Get the kind with lids that clamp on and have rubber gaskets inside of them for a good seal. Wash them out with soap and water before use, and dry thoroughly. Get some bay leaves- the kind you use for seasoning soup.

Rent a tank of nitrogen from a store that rents tanks of compressed helium and other gases. Party stores often have nitrogen. Tell them you're using it for food storage, and to give you a clean hose and nozzle that haven't been used with toxic chemicals.

Pour your beans into a bucket then shoot in the nitrogen starting at the bottom. Pests don't like the smell of bay leaves, so sprinkle them in as you fill your buckets and put several of them on top. Gradually raise the nozzle as you're shooting in the nitrogen until you've brought it to the top of the bucket. Light a cigarette lighter or propane flame starter at the top of your bucket. If the flame burns, you need more nitrogen. If the flame goes out, you have enough. Immediately clamp on your lid, being careful not to tip the bucket.

Nitrogen is heavier than oxygen, so will stay in the bucket as long as you don't tip it sideways. When you want some beans, use a scoop to get them out, but don't tip the bucket to pour them out.

Don't forget your pets! Make sure you have lots of kibble and canned food stored, too.

WATER: Square-sided, 3-gallon water jugs nest well on the shelf, taking up less space than cylindrical 5-gallon jugs. They are also easier for small people to manage. You can also get collapsible, lined cardboard boxes that are designed for holding water. In addition, get a Berkey/Doulton gravity-fed water filter by Berkefeld. It will filter even dirty water and make it safe.

SPROUTS: Buy sprouting seed in sealed, nitrogen-packed cans and foil pouches. Sprouts will give you fresh veggies every day and they're simple to grow using only glass mason jars and screen lids. We like the Brassicas because they are so nutritious: Brocolli, radish, mustard, kale, cabbage...

Dry Goods: Toilet paper by the case, women's sanitary items, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and soap, First Aid, batteries and flashlights, extra clothing and shoes... Whatever you could run out of that you don't want to have to go to the store to get if it's dicey out there.

Medicine: Stock up on prescription meds- especially life-and-death meds. If your insurance won't pay for more than a small amount at a time, have your doctor write a Rx for a large amount and buy it from a reputable Canadian pharmacy. Pay for it out of pocket if necessary.

If it isn't breaking any rules, I'd be happy to provide links to some good vendors for these things. Or send me a private message.

[lakedaemonian]

Re: Prepare

Since we've had children, we have ALWAYS kept a deep pantry of long-shelf life food and stable household commodities.

Not only does it save money(by buying up loss leaders in bulk), but generates a fair bit of peace of mind...which came in handy during our 7.1 quake 5 months ago.

I would strongly encourage everyone to build up a pantry.....you will NOT regret it....and the positive impact to the family food budget can be substantial...the only downside we see is that others must be doing more of the same....as loss leaders locally are now often being limited.

I would also be keen to hear more "coalface" perspective from Aussie's commodity coalface..........this could cascade far and wide.

China, Biafra, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Somalia, North Korea.......who's next?

It's interesting to see Tunisia and Algeria(now Jordan) suffering unrest due to food inflation.......Algeria especially has a considerable ag sector(and to a lesser extent Tunisia does as well mirrored by their energy sectors). I would have thought countries needing to import much of their domestic food(then energy) needs would be cooking off first.

[thunderdownunder]

Re: Prepare

It is freely available.
http://www.news.com.au/business/coal...-1225985362344
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Queensland-floods-to-cost-Australia-$5-billion-35653-3-1.html
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...ia-floods-food
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/I...tchDec2010.pdf
and very telling -
http://foodcrisis.foreignpolicyblogs.com/
As always they have underestimated the costs and are over optimistic in outcome. I know from what starts for me on Monday, it is very very bad.
it will recover but it will take a long time. Crops take time, rail repairs take time, Machinery has to be pulled down and rebuilt or junked (and most supplies for spares were drowned 20feet in a suburb called Rocklea in Brisbane), roads and bridges take lots of time. $5 Billion ???? give me a break, Bernanke would not bend over to pick that up in the street. Then the major shortage is manpower in the trades - we just cannot supply it with what we have.
http://www.news.com.au/business/floo...-1225987547276.
You yank tradies need a job - get on a plane - 14 hrs and your working (carpenters/plumbers/diesel fitters/ catapillar experts/precision machinists, Mine services,Cabinet makers, crane drivers, riggers, welders - pressure vessel -MIG- heavy stick, concreter and steel fixers, drywalls, painters. Electricians too but you will have to get a licence for our 240V and our switch is down for "on") 5 % unemployment means if you have a pulse and talk English while swinging a tool - your hired. Wages are between $1500 - $3000/week and we work hard but play hard. Nice place to live and great beer/ steaks. Health care is cheap at about $3500/ year /family because we have not been infected by Insurance greed and the Government sets the prices paid/ service rendered. Food fuel homes/rent and cars are more expensive. 4 weeks annual leave =17.5 % loading on top. 5- 10 day sick leave, maternity leave of six months for either sex paid at $580/week. Learn to surf because good beaches everywhere. Good public transport and Clean with A/C.
Yes, if your unemployed get your ass over here pronto (drug takers and drunks are not tolerated and you are tested at work - no excuses your gone)

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Prepare

a Berkfeld/Doulton gravity-fed water filter

Good stuff, shiny - thanks!

One itsy bitsy teeny weeny typo: that would be a Berkey water filter, as manufactured by Berkefeld. Well worth having.

[World Traveler]

Re: Prepare

Here in Houston, it's easy to get cynical about hurricane warnings, since we've had many instances where we get warnings, then the hurricane ultimately bypasses Houston. So many times, people have anxiously waited for a hurricane that never happened.

However, when Hurricane Ike did hit Houston and Galveston in 2008, it was quite an experince. Big Problem was the loss of electricity because winds and fallen trees had knocked out electrical transmission systems and lines.

We had no electric power in my area for 8 days. All stores in my area were closed for 3 days. On the 4th and 5th day, some big ones (like Kroger and CVS) started to re-open if they had their own back-up generators. Only a handful of gas stations were open, since they were not getting fuel deliveries and most did not have back-up generators.

It was erie, like a movie. Fresh and frozen foods were not availabe from open stores because they had spoiled. Gas was very hard to get. Bottled water it, forget, you had to have stocked up beforehand. Batteries ditto. Even a lot of the canned goods were gone in any open stores by the 5th day. Since there was no electricity, we cooked our canned food an a litle camping cooker. (We had to throw the food in our freezer away too).

Lessons learned? It does pay to stock up, but that will only take you so far. Sooner or later, you personal stocks start running low.

[shiny!]

Re: Prepare

Good stuff, shiny - thanks!

One itsy bitsy teeny weeny typo: that would be a Berkey water filter, as manufactured by Berkefeld. Well worth having.

Ha- good catch! I actually copied that spelling from a vendor that got it wrong. Will correct. Thanks.

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Prepare

Lessons learned? It does pay to stock up, but that will only take you so far. Sooner or later, you personal stocks start running low.

If one has to get through a prolonged spell of no food available in the market, then one's stocks will eventually run out, yes.

But I'm guessing (hoping?) that a more likely situation is sporadic shortages, which a well stocked pantry can help one ride out. It is better not to have to go into the market too desperate.

[coolhand]

Re: Prepare

Good luck and God bless Thunder!

[skidder]

Re: Prepare

FYI, It's taken me months of effort to get stocked so please start ASAP as you are already late to the game.

100 Items to Disappear First 1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.) 2. Water Filters/Purifiers 3. Portable Toilets 4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses. 5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!) 6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much. 7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots. 8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks. 9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar 10. Rice - Beans - Wheat 11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,) 12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly) 13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking. 14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.) 15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric) 16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur. 17. Survival Guide Book. 18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.) 19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc. 20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry) 21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene) 22. Vitamins 23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item) 24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products. 25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms) 26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil) 27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item) 28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal) 29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many). 30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels 31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months) 32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST) 33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST) 34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit 35. Tuna Fish (in oil) 36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room) 37. First aid kits 38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates) 39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies 40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food) 41. Flour, yeast & salt 42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first 43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators 44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.) 45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts 46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns 47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times) 48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels) 49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc 50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient) 51. Fishing supplies/tools 52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams 53. Duct Tape 54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes 55. Candles 56. Laundry Detergent (liquid) 57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags 58. Garden tools & supplies 59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies 60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc. 61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) 62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax) 63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel 64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc 65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats 66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered) 67. Board Games, Cards, Dice 68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer 69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets 70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks) 71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water) 72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc. 73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave) 74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels) 75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase 76. Reading glasses 77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers) 78. "Survival-in-a-Can" 79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens 80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog 81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO) 82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky 83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts 84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras) 85. Lumber (all types) 86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from) 87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's 88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc. 89. Lantern Hangers 90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts 91. Teas 92. Coffee 93. Cigarettes 94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,) 95. Paraffin wax 96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. 97. Chewing gum/candies 98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing) 99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs 100. Goats/chickens From a Sarajevo War Survivor: Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks. 1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources. 2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden. 3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's. 4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.) 5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk. 6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands. 7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else. 8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches