A very "Guardian " look at prepping but some interesting ideas.

[bellinisurge]

And interesting to see the idea here. www.theguardian.com/politics/shortcuts/2018/jul/12/a-no-deal-brexit-survival-guide-what-food-to-stockpile

Tip: don't stockpile as such, prep.

It was pretty hard not to think that stockpile piece is a wind-up - consider cider apple vinegar rather than balsamic? Stock up on your EU favourites like anchovies and passata? And as for the advice on stocking up on a seed packet...

Adored the complete absence of guidance on where people should physically store all of this.

It did read like a pisstake. Or someone is up their own arse. But if it gets people thinking then that's good. I'm all for people taking steps to look after themselves. Then , if it gets troublesome, what authorities there are can focus on the people who really need help. That's my thought anyway.

Well it didn't quite say that did it. What it actually says is, it might be easier to source british varieties rather than foreign i.e. apple cider vinegar is probably produced more widely here in the uk, where as balsamic is not. As for the tomato passata, it was pointing out again, that it might not be available because it is mostly EU produced. Yes it was a bit more Middle Class than saying 'make sure you have beans and corned beef' but it is trying to reach a certain audience, who maybe have their heads in the sand a bit shall we say?

In fairness the seed packet thing is “prepping 101” - it’s more of a long term plan than an emergency one.

Brexit/zombies/environmental catastrophes/economic crash - growing/cultivating our own food is in the best interests of our pockets, our self-sustainability, and the ozone layer.

@ElyElyOy - I agree there are nuggets in there - seeds, as you say although it needed to say heritage seeds for the full bingo line. My dh who used to be thoroughly sceptical is now well up for dehydration/canning recipes. He's a big cooking fan.
It's now me trying to rein him in on the "we're all doomed" thing.

seeds are a brilliant idea. They are dirt cheap and you get masses.
We sowed the tiniest sprinkling of salad leaf seeds and have more salad than we can eat in a very small vegetable bed. Herbs can be grown in pots on windowsills, as can chillis for example.

A bit off topic, but can you really stockpile seeds? I've bought packets of seeds many a spring, and they've gone out of date when I haven't got round to planting anything that spring. Do out of date seeds have any chance at all of becoming plants?

I think they diminish in viability after a year. But not completely. I'm planning to wheel out my trusty dehydrator this year for some faves. It's more likely to be hit and miss.

If you store the seeds in an airtight box in the fridge they keep for years!

I had a glut of tomatoes last year. all from seeds I bought about 7 years ago and then found in the garage!

Seeds normally have a couple of years date on them from when you buy them, but I have planted them a few years past that.
I just plant more, as more are likely to fail to germinate.
If you have already opened the packets, you need to make sure to properly seal them again to help keep them viable.