The world faces several serious challenges that could lead to food shortages in the coming months and years. Climate change, economic instability, global conflicts, and population growth all pressure the global food supply. This means we could see more famines and food price spikes in the future.
I heard several years ago that over 20 facilities in the US that process and package various food products we buy every day have burned down or just closed down due to labor issues. That’s scary, and we must be aware of and prepare for possible food shortages now. That doesn’t count the farming communities under siege from foreign competition, food supply chain issues causing disruptions, drought, or floods. We live in precarious times!
One quick trip to your local grocery store reminds us that food prices are still high, some products are in limited supply, and our favorite staples, like non-perishable items, may not be available anymore. If you feel that you’re not as well prepared as you’d like to be, don’t wait. Start planning and working on that plan now. Food insecurity is a genuine concern for many families, no matter where you live, so you’re not alone. Let’s discuss practical ways to prepare for food shortages.
What are Food Shortages?
A food shortage occurs when one or more particular food products are insufficient to meet the demand. Bad weather, pests, wildfires, and disease can cause this. Humans can also create food shortages through war, like the one between Russia and Ukraine, or poor agricultural practices.
When a food shortage happens, the prices for the affected food group usually increase. This can make it hard for people who rely on that food to afford it. Food shortages can also lead to hunger and malnutrition, forcing people to go without certain foods or eat less and not receive the necessary nutrients. These situations affect the most vulnerable, like those with limited financial means and those closest to the problem.
How to Prepare for Food Shortages
So, how can we prepare for these potential shortages? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Identify Food Shortage Risks in Your Area
The first step is determining what food shortages could occur in your area. This will help you know what foods to stock up on and how much you need. You can get this information from your local government or emergency management office. Additionally, you can check for national food shortages on the USDA website.
Plan Your Food Storage
Once you know the risks, you can start planning your food storage approach. In your emergency food supply, aim to have at least a three-month supply of non-perishable food on hand. This will help you weather any short-term shortages. You should also consider stocking up on water, as finding clean water during a crisis may be challenging.
Stock up on Non-Perishable Food Items
One way to prepare for food shortages is to stock up on non-perishable foods. These include items with a long shelf life like canned fruits and vegetables, dried beans and rice, nut butter, and shelf-stable milk. If stored properly, these items can last for months or even years without going bad, so they’re a good option to have on hand in case of a shortage.
Here’s an essential list of items that become necessary ingredients for any recipe:
- Flour-white, all-purpose, self-rising (shelf-life 12-18 months)
- Wheat (I prefer Hard White Wheat), you will need a way to grind it
- Rice
- Noodles
- Beans
- Lentils
- Oats and other whole grains
- Pasta-different shapes
- Sugar-white, light brown, dark brown
- Molasses
- Vegetable oil, olive oil
- Butter (freeze it)
- Powdered or Instant milk
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Spices and herbs
- Cans of soup
- Cans of vegetables like corn, peas, green beans, onions, etc.
- Dried fruit
- Cans of fruit
- Cans of protein sources like poultry and other meats, and beans of various kinds
- Peanut Butter and Jam
- Nuts
- Tomato Sauce
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Coconut OIl
- Chocolate (I have to add this one)
Grow Your Food
Another way to be prepared for food shortages is to grow some food. This could mean planting a garden in your backyard, starting a small farm, or a community garden. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, you can still grow some basic crops like potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes. Take some gardening classes so you can learn what to plant and when. I have a great series of posts in my archive to help you. Learn how to start a compost pile and make and use mulch. If you want to get more serious about it, check out some of my gardening posts:
- Container Gardens: Everything You Need to Know
- Back to Eden Gardening Steps
- Self-Sufficient Garden: What to Grow
Join a Community Garden
If you don’t have the space or time to grow your food, you can still participate in a community garden. A local organization, like a church, civic club, or group of neighborhood volunteers, usually manages these. Everyone who participates agrees to help with the garden’s upkeep and shares in the harvest.
Community gardens are great for meeting new people and getting fresh, locally-grown produce. They can also be a good option if you want to learn more about gardening before starting your garden.
If you don’t have the resources to start your garden or participate in a community garden, support local farmers by visiting their street stands or attending farmers’ markets when available.
Store Food Properly
One way to avoid food shortages is to store food properly. This includes storing grains in airtight containers and fruits and vegetables in the fridge. By storing food correctly, you can make it last longer and reduce the chances of it going bad. Perform an inventory of your pantry to see what might be needed and clear out any expired items. Develop a consistent rotation schedule and stick to it!
Sometimes we’re tempted to buy most of our items in bulk. That can work if you have the space available and the family members to use it. What you don’t want to do is buy in bulk to save money, and then have the food go to waste because it wasn’t used on a timely basis.
Build a Long-Term Stockpile
You can build a long-term stockpile if you want to be prepared for a food shortage. This is a supply of food that you keep on hand in case of an emergency. A long-term stockpile should include enough food to last your family for at least six months.
Building a long-term stockpile can be a big undertaking, but it’s worth it if you have peace of mind in case of food shortages, which are becoming more common. It’s essential to be prepared, so consider starting now if you haven’t already. By following these tips, you can ensure your family has access to food during tough times that are bound to come your way.
Food Preparation and Serving Tools
Remember food preparation tools such as can openers, knives, utensils, and pots and pans. If you’re stocking up on canned food, you’ll need a good-quality can opener. You may also want helpful kitchen tools like a wheat grinder, bread mixer, or pressure canner for foods you get from your garden.
Food preservation is another option to consider. We canned a wide variety of foods as our kids were growing up. It teaches children what it takes to feed a family, plant and harvest, and food preservation skills. Again, check my archive for tips on food canning; you’ll be glad you did. Additionally, ensure you have gardening tools if you plan to grow your food. Can Openers
What’s the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Food Storage?
There is a big difference between short-term and long-term food storage. Let me break it down for you:
Short-Term Food Storage
Short-term storage is a 2-week to 3-month food supply. This food should be easy to rotate and use in everyday meal planning. The idea behind short-term storage is to have a reasonably small food supply in case you can’t get to the store for whatever reason.
You need to pay special attention to your infant’s needs. There was recently a shortage of baby foods, including baby formula. New babies can’t just be put on regular food because you ran out of their special food; they need items designed for them and their digestive tract. Plan ahead; it’s important.
Don’t forget those pets, either. Pet food needs to be included in your food storage plans since eating lots of human foods may not be healthy for them.
Long-Term Food Storage
Long-term food storage is a 6 to 12-month or longer food supply that should be rotated as needed to keep the items as fresh as possible. The idea behind long-term storage is to have a large enough supply of food on hand in case of an emergency, such as a job loss, medical condition, accident, natural disaster, or global pandemic, so that you can survive the duration of the emergency.
When stocking up for a food shortage, you’ll want to focus on long-term storage items. These are the items that will last the longest and can be used in case of an emergency. Wheat, rice, beans, oats, pasta, sugar, and salt can be stored for 20 to 30 years if packaged and stored appropriately. Additionally, freeze-dried, dehydrated, and canned foods are great for long-term food storage.
How to Store Food Long-Term
The best way to store long-term food is in airtight containers. These containers keep out bugs and rodents and help the food last longer. You can find airtight containers at most stores or use Mason jars.
Another excellent option is to store food in Mylar bags. Mylar bags are made of a durable material that keeps out light, oxygen, and moisture. Survivalists and Preppers often use these bags to store food for long periods.
My preference for long-term food storage is buying commercially processed freeze-dried foods. Keeping the containers cool and dry may keep the food contents available to last up to 20-25 years, depending on the temperature where they are stored. I can’t keep my house at 60 degrees, so my food storage will have a shorter life.
You’ll Need to Store Water Too
Hydration is a critical part of your daily health routine. Having clean, safe water is a goal our emergency plans need to include. I have large storage tanks for storing my water, but you should also consider having a way to filter and treat your water supply. My archive is full of water storage and treatment tips. Take some time to review what information is available and then put to use what makes sense for you and your family.
You’ll need enough water to drink, cook, perform personal hygiene, and do limited laundry tasks, even if it’s only your underwear. I suggest four gallons of water per person per day. That can add up pretty fast, so start planning and executing now!
Learn More About Food Storage
If you want to learn more about food storage, check out these posts:
- 34 Things You Need to Know About Food Storage
- Lessons I Learned From Food Storage
- What You May Not Know About Food Storage
Final Thoughts
Preparing for food shortages doesn’t have to be complicated. Following some simple tips, you can ensure that you and your family always have enough to eat and drink.
What are your thoughts on preparing for food shortages? Do you have any tips to add? Let me know in the comments below so I can share those ideas with my readers! May God bless this world. Linda
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