When to replenish stash?

[EveLevine]

Just wondering what everyone’s opinion is on when is the right time to replace stash items that have been used?

I’ve always been a casual prepper, but became more serious and organised a proper, much more organised stash for Brexit. I’ve been so glad of that stash! The difficulties getting slots, and the item limits on some orders, means that thanks to my stash I’ve been able to concentrate on just buying food, and not having to buy anything else has given me more cash free to buy more expensive alternatives where my usual items are not available.

We’ve just been having one shop per week from Ocado (priority ordering) and I’ve been sharing that with elderly DPs. I’ve recently started booking slots with a Tesco again, as they seem to be allowing pass holders to book 4 weeks in advance, and there’s lots of items I can’t get from Ocado. But I’ve been sticking to one delivery per week, as I feel it’s unfair to use more when so many need them.

However, I’m starting to run out of items that ASD DS will eat - I’m getting enough weekly to manage, but It’s concerning me how much the stash is going down.

So just wondering when others were planning to replace their stash? I’m concerned about not being prepared for a possible second wave. Is it selfish to use slots now? I’m seeing more available locally - checked today and there are slots available with 4 different supermarkets! But is it selfish to use these to refill stash?

What’s everyone else doing?

I thought you just replaced items from it when you could, thereby smoothing out any bumps in availability. That's what I've been doing, although I'm pretty sure that what I think of as my stash, a real prepper would consider some kind of just in time low stock 😄.

Normally that’s what I’d do, but lots of things have been unavailable, so my stock has been run down.

For example, I normally have 12 - 15 tins of spaghetti hoops because DS loves them, and has them almost every day. I haven’t been able to get any for over 6 weeks, so now my stash is down to 3 tins, which worries me as DS eats such a limited diet. This week they appear to be available to order, but if I order 12 of them, then someone else won’t be able to get hold of them.

So I’m just wondering what other preppers are planning to do - I was thinking of ordering say 3 each order, till my stock level is back to normal.

I don’t want to be selfish and panic buy, but I also want to be prepared if there’s a second wave.

It seems to me that most supplies are back to something resembling normal and the only thing that hasn’t arrived on my shop for the last month is Parmesan, yeast and flour.

Because of the above, I feel comfortable returning to normal shopping (which for my family includes restocking) now.
That said I’m still only getting one grocery shop per week (also priority due to shielding). However I’m using that almost exclusively cleaning, dry, jars and tinned etc. and getting the fresh stuff delivered from milkman, butcher, baker and greengrocer in order to cultivate good supply lines and loyalty as it has been made clear to me that those who are loyal will receive priority when this happens again.

My husband and my colleagues (HCP) all think the second wave will impact the country in far different and deeper ways.

different and deeper ways in what way?

@BanKittenHeels I have family members who are HCPs, and they are predicting the second wave will be soon, thats one of the reasons I want to get prepped ASAP.

DS has a very limited diet, and weight is dangerously low. He would simply starve rather than eat food he doesn't like. Problem is, no one supermarket sells all the items he eats (approx 12 foods).

There's definitely less demand for slots here though - every day this week Iceland has had slots available to book until around 6pm, and I've also seen Asda and Sainsbury's slots available.

I've decided to stick with my weekly Ocado delivery, but I'm going to do one extra shop per week, until I've had a delivery from each of the other supermarkets. But I won't book the slots in advance, only last minute - today for example Sainsbury's have slots available for 7am tomorrow. If a second wave occurs and slots are in short supply again, I will drop back to one every 14 days.

I think now is the time to focus on widening the 12 foods he will eat.

If it were that easy I’d have done it by now!

This is a medical issue. He’s been under paed and dietician for failure to thrive since he was 2 years old! If they haven’t managed to sort this in 7+ years, how can I do it now?

They actually tell me I’m lucky! 12 foods is a good number compared to some of their patients. That’s just the reality of ASD and SPD, and not really anything I can do to change that.

So I prep instead, and make sure he gets plenty of vitamin supplements.

I think now is the time to focus on widening the 12 foods he will eat.

I shouldn’t laugh, but!

Good luck with that OP!

Every morning you should go through a list of the shops that have an online presence and check for special offers. If it means chucking a rucksack on and walking to the shop, such as a Spar, in order to buy a few items if the same product, then so be it. Keep doing that with each product and you’ll soon build it back up again.

12 foods is excellent, OP. Mine is (sorry, I know some people don’t like the expression, but it best suits him) high functioning and lives independently. He still only eats @ 6 ‘foods’. I use that term lowly as it’s all processed crap and the rest is dorettos and sweets. I use to blame myself for not being ‘stricter’ regarding food, until my middle bit pointed out that he is an incredibly healthy vegan that cooks wonderful meals from scratch.

I wish my oldest would eat a better variety as he’s 30 now and I know it will massively impact on his health.

I would prep as much as you can now regarding those 12 foods, @OP. You're not depriving anyone else now, as stocks are relatively high.

We have a very young family member with ASD who eats just 5 foods, and we're all stocking up for him. (It's cheap noodles, as it happens - quite similar in texture to spag hoops.)

I'm stocking up on tinned vegetables and jars of olives, pesto and pickles, because I'd miss them so much if there was a shortage. I'm not a chip person.

I would start restocking now, it important that you have food your child can eat.

I've started rebuilding my stock up again. I'm not buying masses amounts just few extra cans, dried goods each time I go shopping and when I have been able to get a Tesco delivery I've used that solely as store cupboards.

Clutterbugsmum, is there a limit on canned and dried goods, with Tesco? I’ve never done an online supermarket shop, so wasn’t sure.

I would buy what you need, perhaps in several smaller orders as you suggested. I have a child with restricted foods they'll eat and I know how hard it is. x

@BanKittenHeels which ways do you think there will be a deeper impact during the 2nd wave? I'd like to prep for it if I can.

@T0tallyFuckedUpFamily .

Yes you can still only order 3 of any item and a total of 80 items.

I've been able to get delivery 2 slots in the last 5 weeks.

Sorry posted to soon, but with them and my local Asda having more stock in I've been able to buy tins of tomatoes, baked beans and spaghetti.

I think you need to restock. Can you try and order different sizes or even brands (I imagine not to brands) as you can then get a few of each and a greater total.

But yes, perhaps you could ask him nicely to eat some more different foods.

My stock levels are still ok. My son with ASD has noodles every day and my dyspraxic son only eats selective certain foods.

I'm.aiming to restock and rotate before the second wave. The panic buying and empty shelves scared the poop out of me with a disabled child. Also going shopping with a child in my town seems to have got very hostile reactions.

As long as there is always at least two weeks of food in. Dont feel guilty as what the difference between buying two weeks worth of hoops or two days every other day? Nothing in reality.

Also, if you’re just doing your online shop, can you ask friends and family to look out for them and drop a few on your door every so often?
Is it worth trying an earlier morning slot so there’s more stock? Actually I don’t think that helps with Ocado as when you order you tie up those products. So actually is it worth checking the night before to see if there’s any more stock? That’s how Ocado used to work anyway.

Thank you Clutterbugsmum.

Do Costco do the brand he likes?

I'm autistic and still have huge issues with food - probably only some people on this thread will know what a achievement its been that I've added about eight new foods to my repertoire this year given all of this stuff.

When I was little I probably survived on about 10 things in rotation.

Don't feel guilty OP, other people don't need the spaghetti hoops like you do! I would stock up on them as much as possible, now is not the time to be trying to introduce new foods when times are stressful and routine has changed.

I was going to say also please ask your neighbours, friends & family to lookout for the items your ds eats. You can always look for things they'd be missing out on in return.

Given your circumstances, you need to restock, while you can, and try to keep a 2 week supply at all times.

Ds2 ears a broad range of beige food so he's been relatively easy to plan for.

DS1, apart from crap, eats sausages sandwiches for dinner, shop bought tuna/salmon and cucumber sandwiches from specific shops (he won't eat them home made) for lunch, grapes and melon. If we end up stuck at home then he's not getting any lunch. He already has to do without, some days if we can't get hold of enough.

I have family members who are HCPs, and they are predicting the second wave will be soon, thats one of the reasons I want to get prepped ASAP.

I guess possibly 4 weeks with another spike somewhere Nov-Jan.