To start prepping for food shortages

[supergloo]

NOT stockpiling (for me there is a difference between sensibly prepping and stockpiling but some may disagree).

Is this real or hysteria that food shortages are coming our way?
DH thinks it's rubbish and I was skeptical but for the past few weeks, the shelves have looked very scanty. I am talking completely empty lines of products in the budget end supermarkets.
Is anyone else putting a few items away or is this just "tinfoil hat" territory?

No I don’t think food shortages are going to happen. Just increasing prices.

Ukraine supplies cooking oil and wheat to most of Europe. Yes, prep or run out of what you need.

No, I don’t think there will be shortages either.
I’ve had everything I ordered in my last two home deliveries.

I work in the 3rd cheapest supermarket and I can safely say that there are no food shortages!

am talking completely empty lines of products in the budget end supermarkets.

People’s cost of living is increasing and more are turning to budget supermarkets and product lines.

And this is how panic buying starts.

Vvv unreasonable.

I always keep a well stocked cupboard buying multipacks of things we use alot rather than buying as I need. I am doing nothing different. It probably would be sensible to have a few extra basics in in case of localised shortages, but I've felt that's the case since covid as the supply chain is definitely more vulnerable.

Do you know what's going on with Lidl then? Not technically food shortages as you can always buy other food, but huge gaps. One week there were no tinned tomatoes or passata, closest alternative was pasta sauce. Serious gaps in fresh produce especially. In household aisle, only a bulk refill pack of washing up liquid, no bottles at all.

I’d say YABVU, and irresponsible to set people off panic buying.
I hope MN takes this thread down.

Yes, Lidl where I am was pretty much empty last week.

The thing is it is stockpiling. No one actually thinks they are stockpiling, they are always being sensible, proactive etc and anyone else who does it is stockpiling.
We are not going to be in a situation where there is a genuine food shortage. Certain products maybe but that’s hardly the same.

I am not starting panic buying. People are responsible for their own actions. I am merely asking the question about whether or not this is real or rubbish.

This thread should be deleted. If you think you should start food storing then that's fine. But don't suggest to other people they might need to also. 😡

It's a bit late now, prepping happens before shortages. If you are seeing empty shelves, now is the time to keep buying as normal or use the stuff you already have.

I haven't suggested people do. I am asking if people are doing so and if they think that the problem of reduced food supplies is real or rubbish?

Nope don't need to. The idiots that panic buy only buy toilet paper. So you're fine, they don't panic buy actual food.

You do mean stockpiling. No one ever admits to stockpiling but cake it something else. And this is what caused a ton of pain for people during early days Covid.

not being able to buy what you want is not a food shortage

there are always alternatives and if everyone is sensible then the less we shall need to buy alternatives

the reporting really doesn’t help

According to barclaycard about 1 week ago, 35% of the population have already done so.
So whatever you read anywhere, realise that people do not always tell the truth or tell anyone about what they are really doing.

I agree with this. I just think it's a matter of working with what is available.

OP, you are being supremely naive if you think that this is not the kind of commentary that encourages panic buying, stockpiling etc. If there are shortages, people like you will partly be responsible.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1595281/cost-of-living-crisis-brits-spending-habits-changed-after-Barclaycard-data-ont

Not if you always do it, it's just how I shop
Buy goods that aren't perishable that I use, when on offer (whether I need them at that exact time or not) so I never have to pay the higher price
Been shopping like this ever since I moved out of home

Regardless of food shortages I think if you are able its is common sense to have at least a few weeks to couple of months food supplies always in your house in case of any kind of emergency or need for it

So yes I would absolutely prep for it

I have a large store of food and medicines that i rotate as not to allow anything wasted. To me it's common sense.

Oh please.
It has been in the news for about 1 month already.
Not to mention farmers shouting loudly.
It has even been on mumsnet for about 1 month too.
And on other social forums.