Prepping for brexit

[Numberonecook]

Ive just started getting some bits together ready for brexit. As a food scientist I am very aware of how much produce comes into the country and the resources needed to get things around the country. Im also aware of the chain and how everything is ‘just in time’ And a delay in the chain could lead to serious shortages and price rises.

This really worries me as there is 5 of us to feed. So, what non food essentials do you think I should also consider? We are not prepping for huge disaster just 6 months or so. I’ve got things like toiletries, loo roll etc. Anything else?

I am starting to think of stockpiling. But a serious question, the people saying they've got camping equipment at the ready , what's that for?

Camping equipment is generally an easy way of having cooking, lighting, hygiene and sleeping facilities if the power or water goes. Not saying that is likely with Brexit (unless we have no deal then it's less unlikely) but it's a prepper thing. I live in an area that gets hit by snow- northern suburb. And having the means to live tolerably when we get snowed in and/or a power cut is reassuring.

As bellinisurge eloquently put it. It’s a backup option.

Sit down and assess Your home and think about how life would continue in your home without running water and power. Then think about what camping equipment would help.

Thanks for explaining! I'm new to this. Trying to convince dh and my elderly parents to prep. What can I do about bread, is the best option to bake my own?

I'd have a go at making your own.

Bake your own, you can make bread kits and store them in jam jars (use powdered milk) then just add water

There are loads of bread making rabbit holes to go down on YouTube. Maybe look at flatbreads that don't need an oven. And the kind of bread you can make in an oven. Yummy smell while you experiment and not too pricey ingredients.

Yes bake your own bread or look at dates on the par baked rolls/baguettes sometimes they can be a while off

Can I ask when people say they've got 4 - 6 months worth of food how much are they literally taking about?

We're a family of 4. Our cupboards are generally well stocked but if we couldn't replenish, I couldn't see it lasting much more than a week or two at most.

Can someone give me an idea on quantities?

I don't have 4-5 months. And I'm a prepper. What I have is plenty of meal components in dried, frozen or otherwise preserved form - I have a pressure canner and dehydrator but that's just me and not a Brexit thing.
I grow a bit of my own veg too. Not self sufficient by a long chalk.
I'd say I could manage a couple of months without any shops but it would start to get a bit grim after month 1.

I think it’s also about knowing how to stretch what you have, substitute what you can, and omit what you haven’t got. My Nan would always dilute things like tinned tomatoes and cartons of fruit juice with water, and use oil instead of eggs in certain recipes, and never use butter in sandwiches. For her it was a result of living through poverty and not having the money but the principles are similar. If people have several months worth of food, it doesn’t always mean they have that physically, just in a “worst case scenario” they could manage :)

I'm totally new to prepping, but thinking of putting by some essentials before March.

More experienced preppers: What is the best form to bulk buy pasta, rice, flour etc. And then store it so it keeps even when you're using it?

Last think I want is rice going bad half way through the bag.

What are Mylar bags with an oxygen absorber are good. All from Amazon.
Or cheapo big glass jars.

I am somewhat sympathetic to always being prepared (the Girl Scout in me ) but I am not sure all this prepping is really necessary. Has anyone in the history of all these prepping threads ever ever needed anything that they have stocked up on?

Also, while it is eminently possible that Brexit will lead to shortages in certain produce, surely the more simple solution would be to eat something else? I may struggle for example to enjoy veal for a few months but I would be more than happy substituting pheasant or something else suitably delicious while the supply chains restore themselves. Stocking up on rather unpleasant foodstuffs just seems like an overreaction, this isn’t the apocalypse, it’s still the UK and it’s still 2018 (2019 even if and when Brexit happens)

I’m in two minds over prepping. On a pessimistic ‘we are doomed’ day, I feel I should be preparing. On an optimistic ‘there’ll be a slight blip’ day, I feel I should just rough it out.

How much should we realistically store, and for when? A week, month, longer?

Well I'm still not driving 5 weeks after surgery & I sure couldn't walk to the shops either

So while DH can pick up the main shopping I'm glad I had spares of pretty much everything in the cupboard & yes I could do online but tbh the first 3 weeks I was feeling pretty rough so I was glad not to have to bother

DH cooks well but shops umm carefully and only buys exactly what is on the list

HirooOnoda - I prep because I’m practical. I prep my car because I have, in the past, been stuck in the snow for hours unable to go anywhere miles from home. I also prep because we have had previous power cuts. I mainly prep because my health is sometimes quite bad and stops me going out. I prep because in the past we had little to no income and were barely scraping by. So yes, I use my preps frequently.

Most real preppers prep for things that affect them in reality: like you probably do but don’t realise. A small minority of preppers prep for Zombies. A larger number of people are specifically prepping for Brexit in terms of “I just MUST have that specific Italian Pesto”, and another group of people are specifically prepping because they genuinely need a specific medication/supplement that is only manufactured in Europe and in the event of a No Deal there are very likely delays in them being readily available. My Fathers cancer medication is funded through the EU: his consultant has already spoken to him about what the NHS are doing behind the scenes to make sure they have enough in the event of the scheme being stopped and alternatives needing to be sourced.

I want to start stockpiling a bit of food, what is best and how much are you looking at? We are a family of 5. Beans, pasta, rice, cereal, that sort of thing?

@ElyElyOy

Thanks for your response. I would definitely agree with you with regards to preparing for the unexpected, I always have a blanket or two and spare battery for my phone in my car when travelling in winter - I haven’t needed either yet but you just never know!

I do wonder about those prepping in such large quantities, it seems quite unnecessary in this country. I suppose, thinking about it, that I do prep of a kind, I like to have a few nice bits in at home but this isn’t really in response to any real or perceived threat

I would wholeheartedly agree with those who prep for medical reasons but to those prepping for some sort of Mad Max-esque scenario I would urge caution, it can cause unnecessary panic, driving up prices and spreading panic

There is plenty of middle ground between putting a bit to one side and going full Mad Max. It really is up to you and what suits you.
I always say start with imagining you are snowed in for three days. What do you need for food, drink, hygiene (soap, toothpaste etc) entertainment. Start there and if you do no more you will still "be ahead of the game". If you want to do more and space allows, go further.
It is highly unlikely there will be water and power supply problems but, it doesn't hurt to think about how you might deal with that. It needs be no more than think. I don't care if you voted Leave or Remain in this.
Don't tell anyone you are doing it, not because it's a secret society but to cut down on the risk of people turning up at your door. Prepperscall it "being a grey man". Call it what you want.
I'd recommend doing a big load of laundry as we head up to Brexit. One less thing.
If you have pets, make sure you have a buffer of food for them - just some extra tins or whatever.
If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, keep an eye out. You know the person better than me. They are grown ups. They can make decisions for themselves. If they need extra bits of shopping, get it for them.

@Pinotwoman82 - look at what you actually eat. Tinned versions of things you like. Components of meals with herbs and spices. Also treats to cheer you up. Take it steady. Ask for advice on here.

People prep for Zombies? 🤪😂

@BeardedMum No one preps for zombies around here, but it is often mentioned as the most over the top, far-fetched reason for prepping as a sort of joke.

Generally us preppers on here are a practical lot. We prep for power cuts, weather related issues and, indeed, Brexit. For me personally prepping is just a way of being and feeling organised. Same as how I like to get my Christmas shopping done early, really

@BeardedMum - what @AnotherShirtRuined said

The zombies can feck right off. I was in need of a ☕️ a few weeks ago when we had no rain, no strong winds, no health problems, no power cut but the water was off because it was pouring through the fucking ceiling downstairs

I was mighty glad that I have bottled water in the garage.