Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

chowmama

(520 posts)
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 03:32 PM Nov 10

Well, there are going to be food shortages.

Not this year; this year's harvest is already in. But the new god-emperor is going to deport every agricultural worker in the US, so next summer/fall is going to be bad, and subsequent years are going to get worse. Meantime, tariffs will make imports unaffordable if they even exist.

I've had 2 major experiences with shortages. The most recent, which we all remember, was Covid. An earlier one was when DH lost a much-needed job and a planned business didn't pan out. My check barely covered our expenses, if we cut them down to the bone. The credit cards were near their limits anyway.

It was spring. I looked for a CSA (community supported agriculture farm) that would take a credit card. None did, but just one took PayPal, and PayPal takes cards. I maxed out the last card on food for the next 6 months. We picked up our box at a local coop on Monday, and I spent Sundays figuring out how to preserve anything we hadn't eaten so it didn't go to waste. Meat and other protein sources weren't the focus of any meal, but we had enough to get by, especially as they were just adjuncts and flavoring. It worked out ok and DH did eventually succumb to a courier gig by winter.

Takeaways - if you can, get a pressure canner and supplies now. An Instant Pot will not do. You want an old-school dinosaur. By the time things start getting tight, everybody will be trying to get one and prices will skyrocket. The Chinese digitals will be expensive as hell and when they break, you won't be able to replace them. Digitals are disposable; dinosaurs can have parts replaced. Mine is an All American (brand) which has the advantage of not needing a gasket, which is usually the first thing to go. Even though the pressure gauge eventually started sticking, the weighted deelybob on top that rattles as it releases pressure above the designated amount still works great. I just depend on that, even though I could order a new gauge if I thought I needed one. That thing will outlive the grandkids and I can cook in it too, if I want to.

Same goes for a chest freezer, even a small one if you have room. Whatever food you do manage to get, you'll be wanting to get enough to store. Somebody here will be glad to teach you how. Soups, stews, chilis - make big batches and stick all the now-canned excess in the pantry. When/if veg are cheap (and they'll always be cheaper than meat), they can be put by for the winter. I haven't had much use for my dehydrator, except for some dried tomatoes, but if you think it'll work for you, get it now.

On non-food issues, a basic sewing machine is also a good idea, and I don't know of any that are US made, so those prices are going to skyrocket. All you need is a straight stitch, a zigzag and maybe an overlock (although you can use a zigzag instead). Fast fashion, all made overseas, is going to be a thing of the past soon, unless you want to dress exclusively in Ivanka's stolen designs and other Trump gear from China. (What, you thought there wouldn't be an exemption for that? It is to laugh.) At minimum, you're going to be mending.

Get ahead of the crowd or you'll risk getting crowded out.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Lovie777

(15,133 posts)
1. Well the GQP are going to shut down majority....
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 03:36 PM
Nov 10

Of welfare and put them and the homeless to work in place of.

chowmama

(520 posts)
11. And as we all know, the homeless and those on welfare are strong and fit,
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:30 PM
Nov 10

well able to work long days in the fields.

Not to mention how many are veterans. Way to thank somebody for their service.

kozar

(2,910 posts)
19. Ive been homless
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 01:26 AM
Nov 11

I needed a job, I was able
I found the job, I met, a wonderful woman, I adopted her challenged daughter, and visited my daughter, today.
I've been through, theft , forgery, and death, life in general.
I ate today, I saw my daughter today,
Maybe change the title to ,

Your post, it's a trigger to some of us,
Who, Did


Koz

Shermann

(8,698 posts)
2. Light duty prepper checking in
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 03:44 PM
Nov 10

I haven't pulled the trigger on a pressure canner. I'll probably take the easier path and bulk up my store-bought canned foods. I still have a supply of MRE's from covid.

Runningdawg

(4,626 posts)
6. You can't go wrong with a Presto. Manual pressure control, you might need to can over an open fire at some point.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 04:42 PM
Nov 10

We have a 16qt for canning and a 6qt for cooking. Oh and it seems logical, but don't put a full canner on a glass top range.

chowmama

(520 posts)
9. The brand is All American
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 05:27 PM
Nov 10

I got the smaller one which can hold 7 pint or 4 quart jars. There are only 2 of us, after all. They are still being made.

I'll be filling it up tonight with pints of yellow split pea and ham soup. Not because of shortage, but because if I'm going to make it, it doesn't make sense to make only a little. It's the same work for a big batch. Quick weeknight meal on a winter's night, with some good bread on the side.

Retrograde

(10,699 posts)
15. I have a larger one
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 08:23 PM
Nov 10

that I use mainly for canning stock. I'm having a Thanksgiving dinner this month mainly to replenish the turkey stock supply! I need to get Mr. Retrograde to put the weight on it because I can't reach comfortably.

There are some items that can be preserved with just a hot water bath, but they're tricky: I strictly follow the Ball guidelines for those. Pet peeve: why can't the canning companies or the USDA publish the actual recommended pHs so those of us with a chemistry bent can follow those?

chowmama

(520 posts)
21. pH 4.6 is the cutoff, according to my sources
Mon Dec 9, 2024, 07:39 PM
Monday

4.5 or lower, you're ok with a boiling water bath.

Farm Journal canning book is the source, but it seems reasonable. After all, pickles need to be made with 5% vinegar which has a pH of 2.4 to 2.7 After that, allowing for dilution from the ingredients, it might go up a couple of points, but probably not more. A whole lot of the pickling process like salting and draining is meant to keep there from being too much dilution.

barbaraann

(9,289 posts)
4. I'm preparing.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 04:30 PM
Nov 10

I've bought a lot of shelf stable food, purchased a food vacuum sealer for the first time in my life, and I'm going to buy a breadmaker. I've already bought 10 bags of Bob's Red Mill artisan flour on sale for the breadmaker. My next step is to stock up on Winco bulk foods and use the vacuum sealer to store those foods.

We are also going to merge living with my son and his family. I believe that things are going to get dire. We have already tightened our belts over the past few years but now we are going to go as minimalist as we can. We will also continue to fight hunger in our community as we have for years.

Shermann

(8,698 posts)
14. That flour might have a shelf life of one year or so.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 06:48 PM
Nov 10

That's relatively good, but if you really stock up you might not be able to use it all.

tishaLA

(14,343 posts)
18. I store my flour stash in airtight containers
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:31 AM
Nov 11

And it's worked fine, and I live in a warm climate. If you're worried about it and have space, a freezer is always a good option

barbaraann

(9,289 posts)
20. I have the bags closed up in a storage bin right now.
Mon Nov 11, 2024, 02:20 AM
Nov 11

Hopefully I'll find the breadmaker I want on sale during Black Friday!

Runningdawg

(4,626 posts)
5. You can live 30 days without food, only 3 without water.
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 04:36 PM
Nov 10

What happens when the reservoirs are hacked or polluted? What happens when lines are intentionally cut? What happens when that natural body of water near you is being guarded by armed men with Trump flags? Do you think FEMA will be coming in with trucks?
Recommendations for daily water intake is 3 liters for men and 2 for women.
This is for drinking only. This does not take into account water to dehydrate food, bathing, laundry or water for a garden, pets or livestock.
Another thing to prepare for is no water to flush a toilet. Then what?


There is a ton of info on the web on emergency water storage, filtration and rationing. Everyone should review it and prepare according to their family's needs.

Retrograde

(10,699 posts)
16. Especially if you live in a drought-prone or arid area
Sun Nov 10, 2024, 08:26 PM
Nov 10

There's a whole lot of water near me, between the ocean and the bay, but it's all salt. Most of the creeks are seasonal. I try to keep about 5 gallons on hand in my emergency storage space under the back stairs, but that's only enough for a few days.

eta: referring to the "be prepared" part

Response to chowmama (Original post)

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Cooking & Baking»Well, there are going to ...