What's the purpose of a stockpile?

[timeandtimeagain42]

Ok, this isn't a goady thread. I've started a Post Brexit stockpile, it makes me feel a bit better, it's something I can control I suppose. However, a conversation with a friend got me thinking. What is the "Brexit stockpile" supposed to achieve? Is it just to cover a week or two of inevitable chaos if we crash out with no deal and have to start re negotiating trade deals? Or is your stockpile a longer term thing? To take the pressure off price rises for the first few months. I'd love to hear about other people's because mine's a bit aimless at the moment. Thanks!

[CrunchyCarrot]

I started my stockpile back in January. I was aiming to prepare basic food, medical and household items to last around 3 months, just in case there were disruptions post Brexit (which was supposed to be the end of March as we all know). I have various dietary needs and also rely on getting food delivered, so this makes me feel more at ease if there are shortages or disruptions. I've got mainly dried/tinned foods, a full freezer and a full box of medical supplies.

Since March and the delay, I've nibbled a few things (might have 'accidentally' depleted the chocolate supply!) and so am now filling the gaps, as it were.

I've found it's great as it will cover for periods of bad weather or days when I feel a bit off and don't want to cook. The main thing is to note 'use by' dates and try to rotate stock. I have enjoyed it and think I'll continue on with it even if Brexit never happens!

[BlackeyedGruesome]

Bad weather, illness, disability, losing bank card, and to have the specific things the kids will eat. Also it was fun too. Things we eat anyway

[timeandtimeagain42]

Thanks! So yours are both more of a general thing rather than specifically post Brexit? It is nice to feel you have a cushion isn't it?
At the moment mine's put away somewhere where it's a real struggle to get at. I'm torn between discouraging myself from eating all the treats now and having it handy so that I can check dates and make sure we've got a good balance of foods.

[Socksontheradiator]

I started originally after reading the 'brexit cupboard' thread, when I googled stockpiling after a friend talked about it.
Originally it seemed sensible to make sure the cupboard was full in case the shops look like they do when it snows for a few days.
I bought things that had a good shelf life so that we could eat comfortably for a month or so. Figured if it wasn't sorted by then, that our problems are bigger than what's in the larder.
I'm basing my stockpiling on disruption to the food supply in general, rather than not being able to get food specifically grown in Europe.
Grateful for the false start, as other posters on this board have said, as its given me the time to learn what tinned foods we like (and for the book Tin Can Cook to come out!)
In the past we have been very skint and we struggled to feed our family, so I am enjoying having the security of full cupboards and freezer.
We are eating more frugally and healthily than ever, though to to ongoing stocking up which is becoming a habit, our grocery bill is much the same.

[bellinisurge]

I'm a general prepper so Brexit is just another likely problem. Like heavy snow , ill health (I have MS), unemployment- all kinds of things that I rather wouldn't affect me but might. It may only be a slight impact or it may be a big one.

[BlackeyedGruesome]

To be fair we ran highish stocks most of the time but ramped it up for no deal Brexit. Got to have a good clear out of the stash, resort, pack away new stuff etc.

[probstimeforanewname]

I have to restart mine, but I was mainly stocking up on certain medicines/creams etc, as well as tinned fruit, coffee and cosmetics.

I don't think there will be a shortage of food, but I do think certain products will disappear, and there may be a shortage of fresh foodstuffs at times.

And some companies may decide exporting their goods to the UK is too much hassle, at least in the short term, and so I want to make sure I have enough eg moisturiser that I like to last a few months until it either comes back or I find a reasonable alternative.

I also don't want to run out of something like cream for thrush as I would be utterly miserable if I couldn't get hold of it if I needed it.

[NoWordForFluffy]

I run with high stock levels too, as a matter of course. My stockpile has the aim of avoiding supply blips in the main, as well as price rises in the short term.

I've discovered that some of the stuff I bought before wasn't worth it as the kids aren't interested. I'll modify it next time, if I decide it's needed.

[lljkk]

It's b/c of what OP wrote in OP: some way of exerting any control.
Olive oil is the only thing I've overbought on, a bit.

[jackparlabane]

I built a month of food for the family, in March, but now I'm just ensuring I have a few weeks of the very specific items that autistic ds will eat, and a few of the long-life items that we use anyway.

I'm expecting prices to rise so keeping cupboards full of food in a slightly more systematic fashion than previously (I currently have about 30 jars of the same type of pasta sauce, which was an accident), and am doing more veggie and vegan and cheaper cooking - though as the kids are growing rapidly, the bills aren't going down...

[bellinisurge]

What is it supposed to achieve?
A buffer to keep you out of the shops unless and until you have to if a)things get tricky at the shops and/or b) prices spike.

[timeandtimeagain42]

I've discovered that some of the stuff I bought before wasn't worth it as the kids aren't interested. I'll modify it next time, if I decide it's needed.

This is a very good point actually, I tend to buy things that are on offer or a good deal in some way but unless they're something that me and my fussy ds will actually eat then it's a bit pointless. I think over the summer I'll get it all out and start being a bit more systematic, maybe aim for a month's worth of food supply.

[bellinisurge]

@timeandtimeagain42 , I have a fussy dd too; bribery and treats play a key part of my stash.

[timeandtimeagain42]

good plan!!

[SalrycLuxx]

We could survive for three months without ever going shopping. It’s an insurance policy against the unexpected.

Though I’d miss milky tea.

[timeandtimeagain42]

Would you not put long life milk in your tea?

Three months without shopping is a great buffer though.

[BlackeyedGruesome]

Put milk powder in?

[SalrycLuxx]

It’s more that long life milk is what I forget to buy .

Milk powder is possible, but seems a bit too ‘prepper’ for me. After all, the content of my larder is what I eat normally. If I start on milk powder it’s like I think the apocalypse is coming.

[bellinisurge]

inventories her powdered milk and oat milk stash and double checks her recipe for nut milk I hear you @SalrycLuxx

[Socksontheradiator]

I have long life milk. We like porridge in this house :) Also coffee mate. All will go to food bank in November...hopefully!

[timeandtimeagain42]

I have long life milk. We like porridge in this house :) Also coffee mate. All will go to food bank in November...hopefully!

Wouldn't that be fab if all the stockpiles weren't needed and we could suddenly give the food banks a big boost!!

[OralBElectricToothbrush]

Whilst in the UK our house is rural so we always have a good stockpile in, in case of bad weather or forgetting something after shops have shut mostly.