Is it fair to get in a little bit more food in or is it panic buying?

[skybluee]

Hi everyone,

I normally keep in about 1-2 days worth of food. It's usually stuff in the fridge (like an orange, spinach, banana, milk, bread, etc).

Do you think it would be sensible to buy in a little bit more - say things that can be stored in a cupboard and have long dates - or do you think this is panic buying/changing my habits and what we are all meant to avoid?

Thanks for any input on this. I don't want to be selfish and I'm not talking about going out and buying a month's worth of food, but I also want to be sensible and maybe having that little amount in isn't very sensible in the current climate.

Sky blue.

A little bit more is fine, just don’t be one of the cunts buying 5 bags of pasta and a tray of tinned tomatoes and you’ll be fine.

I think you need to get some more food in. Basically enough to last you 7 days if you have to self isolate.

I would have 7 days worth in just incase you fall ill and need to self isolate unless you are confident that you have someone who can deliver food. Concentrate on food you might be able to prepare if ill.

You should have a week's worth in case you need to self isolate

I never do a 'big shop' usually just go Tesco every couple of days. I'm continuing to that and should I/we have to isolate I always have friends, family who would drop supplies off

In our supermarkets nearby there are plenty of tinned goods and long life milk etc, only pasta, loo roll and soap stuff in short supply. It wouldn’t be panic buying to buy a bunch of tinned stuff and some long life milk as a precaution.

If you are over 70 or have various conditions and preparing to follow isolation advice then fine. If not then you don’t need more than 7 days worth of anything.

OK, I have my tap and water filter so if needs must that's drinks covered, but I'll go later and get a few items to cover half a week and then maybe do the same tomorrow. Enough for 7 days is a good target so I'll focus on that, maybe canned fish and cupboard things so they won't go off. It's so weird to think like this. I feel like I always took the shops for granted, just there with everything on supply.

Okay to get a little more food in,this saves you having to go out so often, but not to stockpile to the extent that has caused empty shelves in supermarkets.
That is just selfish and greedy.

If you can afford it, definitely keep about a weeks worth of food in. I wouldn't bother buying anything more than that, but a weeks worth is common sense really.

I think a little more food is sensible. I went out last week and bought one big bag of rice (10kg) plus 3 bags of different types of lentils. There were many many bags left. I felt that that was a reasonable approach.

Sadly however I have not stocked up on booze, as DH has had problems in the past with dependence. I suppose that's a great saving for our family at least!

Yes you should get a few more things in should you need to self isolate. It’s very fine line between making sure you have enough to be ok and leaving enough for other people

The shops here do not seem to be affected at all, barring antibacterial wipes and gel, so fortunately everything else seems normal. Thank you all for your input, I feel a bit better about buying things now. I did not want to be selfish.

I've got an extra weeks worth in, but in tins/frozen rather than fresh. Anything more is unnecessary.

Buying a little bit more is fine.

Buying a little bit more for you and loads of people who dont want/need it isnt a great idea

If you are shopping for others make sure its stuff they actually need or want.

I've got a few extra bits in, but then I usually do have some backup items around. Trying to keep those in reserve and shop normally for now. Probably should get a bit more fruit and veg in.
I want to keep some extra spares in case elderly PILs can't go out and need things.

I generally keep well stocked cupboards anyway but have bought a couple of extra bits to ensure I could cobble together meals for all of us for two weeks if needed. Also got a couple of things I don’t usually buy such as long life juice and milk (just one carton of each) and a couple of tins of fruit

I think it makes sense to slowly accumulate more like 2 weeks' worth where possible, or even more in any household that is likely to need longer than 2 weeks' self isolation, in order to try to have that on hand by late April or so when there will be more cases around, and when each journey out of the house will bring higher infection risk.

However, emphasis is on slowly. Take what you want if there is a full pallet worth on the shelves, but if it looks half empty, then take a few days' worth at most and then come back after they restock. Or, try online delivery services for nonperishable items that you do not need right now so you can wait however many days to get a delivery slot.

I’ve panic bought a tin of condensed milk incase we all have to self isolate so that I’ve got something to put in my tea.

I didn't realise that there were actually people who don't just have "stock foods" in their homes.
What happens if someone extra pops by or you have had a general bug so the foods you bought are inappropriate?

@skybluee why do you only ever shop for 2 days at a time? Surely it's more expensive and labour intensive shopping 3 times a week?

Just get some tins of soup, baked beans, extra loaf of bread for the freezer and a couple of UHT milks. Maybe some noodle cups or mugshots. Think - if I’m ill, what will I feel like cooking? It won’t be anything fancy

My mil goes to the supermarket every day. Even when she doesnt need anything. Buys couple of bits and comes home.

She refuses to do a weekly shop. She has various health issues and is frail and in her 50s. But still going out everyday for a few bits. If she has to isolate , she wi probably expect us to do the same. Always refused to have more than a few days of most things.

We don’t keep much in stock, by the end of the week the fridge is empty and we don’t eat much frozen stuff. This week we’ve basically done a double shop and frozen all the meat. It felt excessive, we spent £200 but I think it was sensible, if we do need to self isolate we don’t need to ask anyone for help.