FOOD Serious Food Supply Chain Difficulties Accelerating (From an Inside Source)

[marieb]

For almost 20 yrs. I buy my spices and teas from AtlanticSpice.com in Cape Cod. Their products are not cheap but are top quality and very fresh. As I'm in California, no tax.

They supply many of the top restaurants in Boston and NY.

Some don't know that if you have a Costco Executive card, you can shop at both the public and commercial Costcos.

If you've never visited the commercial store, drop in for a visit. They have totally different items. The public store may be out of an item you want, but the commercial store may have tons of that item. And they usually have a higher grade of item, restaurant quality.

2 items sold at both Costcos I would highly recommend: the first is the large jars of dried shitake mushrooms. Pour them into your blender or food processor and make mushroom powder. Great instant addition for soups, gravies, etc.

The second are the cartons of small leaves of dried seaweed. They are very high in iodine; and 1 or 2 leaves, maybe with the mushroom powder, adds great flavor to ramen and noodle soups. You can also put a few leaves in your blender to make powder and make a paste with roasted sesame oil and smear on chicken or pork chops before grilling.

People quickly get flavor fatigue but imaginative use of a few oils, curries, balsamic vinegars, fish sauces, soy/oyster sauces,and spices can cheaply make the same-old same-old taste like an exciting new dish.

 

[lonestar09]

From what I have read nationally, seen locally and been told locally is canned soup. Still lots of empty spaces and getting piecemeal resupply is the norm right now

 

[jazzy]

I cooked a package of bacon ends and pieces the other day and got almost a quart jar full of grease from it, my regular bacon grease container was already full. Love me some bacon grease.

Judy

i like to buy some packages of the end peinces now and then, chop them up andcan them. great for flavoring food and having some fat to use.

 

[egads]

I live in NO. VA. and shop at Wegman's & Costco, no shortage of anything. Meats - all types available, Milk, Water, canned veggies, TP, and anything else you need. I can get specialty meats, as well - Berkshire Pork Chops, fresh-cut steaks. The only thing we have been unable to get are Clorox wipes, the wife loves them for wiping down the counters.

 

[abby normal]

Found canned red beans and rice in the ethnic section of walmart. I never saw that before, pretty reasonable too about $1 a can. Good to have options. As another poster said, food will be money. I'm focusing on stacking more canned food. If they cut the grid down, canned foods will be worth their weight in gold.

 

[20Gauge]

I don't know. If things go this far south, we are done...and a year of food won't do much...because this will go into LONG TERM shortage...like YEARS of shortage.

Yes, but the competition for food will drop significantly after 120 days. People will go cannibal after 75 days (best guess) or sooner. In general we are looking at what the common agreement is we will have 90% of the population gone after a year.

So having 6+ months of food will do some good, but opsec and other factors will also matter.

Then there is simple luck.

 

[Blastoff]

there is also a trend to see less variations on products; for example, we only have 3 variations on tomato paste to put on shelves as-opposed to the 15 we had pre-COVID

This makes sense to me if you think about the toilet paper shortage. People WILL pay for the more expensive brands if that is their only choice, so if I am for example, Del Monte, why would I bother to can product as store brands that sell at a lower price point?

 

[20Gauge]

This makes sense to me if you think about the toilet paper shortage. People WILL pay for the more expensive brands if that is their only choice, so if I am for example, Del Monte, why would I bother to can product as store brands that sell at a lower price point?

I agree!

If you only have enough to make a $1 item or a $5 item.... make the $5 item each and every time.

The problem is that this will spur inflation.

 

[GenErik]

Agree! Although as a practical matter, it's usually bacon or a little bacon grease in my kale for me.

We have cans of bacon grease in our freezer and fridge. We use the Coconut oil from Costco also.

 

[WalknTrot]

In a way I want to tell them not to come this way if they run out of food, but I won't. We have plenty for us but to add several more people we simply do not have enough and we do not have the room to store much more than our current level.

Judy

That's what ALL those beans are for.

And I bet many hands here would be raised if the question was asked..ever had beans for breakfast?

 

[Trivium Pursuit]

I recommend lard in the large tubs at Walmart and extra virgin coconut oil in largest container at Costco. Both are shelf stable and last longer then expiration date. I have thought if I had to leave my house I would grab these items. You can live a good while on the fat alone but can add to it to make it last longer.

Same can be said for the, which I've started to see in larger tubs.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We have cans of bacon grease in our freezer and fridge. We use the Coconut oil from Costco also.

Bacon grease is one of those things I hope to never run out of. I use it all the time for flavoring foods, and to stir fry with. Cary even likes a little melted bacon grease on the top of our biscuits, before I put them in the oven. I grease my cornbread cast iron skillet with it when I make cornbread. Adds great flavor.

I keep a grease can sitting on my counter top filled with bacon grease, plus all the overflow goes into jars kept in my fridge. I fry up large packs of bacon at a time, save the grease, and put the bacon in the freezer to use later. Just take out of the bag the amount needed.

 

[Ravekid]

I don't know. If things go this far south, we are done...and a year of food won't do much...because this will go into LONG TERM shortage...like YEARS of shortage.

It won't get that bad because humans can and do change. It might get bad for some, people in large, dense urban centers, but even then, eventually the "give me your stuff!" crowd will lose out. They will meet resistance, smarter, more logical people who band together.

I don't see years of shortage absent a true global change in weather. What I've seen over the years here in the lower Midwest is the rise of the local farm. Every single suburban town and city has their own farmers market now. Plus, in the city, various neighborhoods have their own.

What will happen is that locally, people will start growing their own food, or allow others to use their land just for some food that they grow. HOA and FDA rules will go out the window. There are plenty of stories on-line where families grow tons of food on small lots. This will easily become the new norm. I have two acres give or take and if our current large scale food supply chain no longer works, I'll have no problem growing whatever I can. This will be repeated by millions of people.

Additionally, I've always said that when the US finally goes and/or changes, the rest of the world undergoes massive change as well. We will no longer be sending food anywhere, doesn't matter if the owners are companies owned by other governments. It might cause a war, but if massive civil unrest or war breaks out in those countries first, we might not have to worry about it.

 

[rob0126]

I have been noticing a shortage of herbs on some of the websites like Vitacost. Try Penzeys spices.

ever tried mountain rose herbs?

 

[TKO]

Additionally, I've always said that when the US finally goes and/or changes, the rest of the world undergoes massive change as well.

I think that's the idea of one world government.

 

[rob0126]

I'm falling back hard on rice'n'beans while they can still be had, plus canned spaghetti sauce etc for flavor. This may last for a while. YMMV...

Our shopping is for deals and specials.

Our local big lots carries a good organic brand of glassed spaghetti sauce for 2.50.

I think kroger brand simple truth organic is a bit cheaper (2.29)

 

[20Gauge]

It won't get that bad because humans can and do change. It might get bad for some, people in large, dense urban centers, but even then, eventually the "give me your stuff!" crowd will lose out. They will meet resistance, smarter, more logical people who band together.

I don't see years of shortage absent a true global change in weather. What I've seen over the years here in the lower Midwest is the rise of the local farm. Every single suburban town and city has their own farmers market now. Plus, in the city, various neighborhoods have their own.

What will happen is that locally, people will start growing their own food, or allow others to use their land just for some food that they grow. HOA and FDA rules will go out the window. There are plenty of stories on-line where families grow tons of food on small lots. This will easily become the new norm. I have two acres give or take and if our current large scale food supply chain no longer works, I'll have no problem growing whatever I can. This will be repeated by millions of people.

Additionally, I've always said that when the US finally goes and/or changes, the rest of the world undergoes massive change as well. We will no longer be sending food anywhere, doesn't matter if the owners are companies owned by other governments. It might cause a war, but if massive civil unrest or war breaks out in those countries first, we might not have to worry about it.

I can not argue with the logic, but would add.

Those who have adapted and have not started farms will be one of two types....

Thieves who will take the farm for everything.
Cannibals who will take the farm for everything and then you also.

Such things won't start (farming) until after the two types have been beaten or reduced to insignificant numbers.

 

[rob0126]

We have cans of bacon grease in our freezer and fridge. We use the Coconut oil from Costco also.

Target sells nutiva brand organic coconut oil 54 fl oz for about 13 for refined(great for cooking with no after taste) and 17 for unrefined(medicinal and lasts much longer).

Sometimes kroger will have a special with their organic refined/unrefined that beats it per oz price.(small jars)

Garden of life brand we prefer when we can find it on sale.

We believe the best would be tropical traditions brand online. They sell small containers, up to buckets. They do run specials too.

 

[Grouchy Granny]

I've been getting spices from the Spice Sage - prices are reasonable and they have the weird spices we use (Kalonji, Kala Jera, Za'atar, Curry powder and some others). Right now I have 3 shelves in one kitchen cabinet that are nothing but spices so I'm good for quite a while.

Getting ready to make another batch of home made spaghetti sauce - have 8 #10 cans of tomato sauce which should give me about 2 cases or more of quarts.

We've been getting the #10 cans at Sam's Club (a friend has a business membership) since Costco moved all of that to the business center which is across town in a not very good area. 6 cans cost about $12. I just need to go get more yellow onions and I'll be good to go.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Same can be said for the, which I've started to see in larger tubs.

the what???

 

[nomifyle]

This makes sense to me if you think about the toilet paper shortage. People WILL pay for the more expensive brands if that is their only choice, so if I am for example, Del Monte, why would I bother to can product as store brands that sell at a lower price point?

Del Monte closed some of their processing plants before the plandemic, permanently supposedly because of lack of product from last years crops.

I've been buying Hunts brand of spaghetti/pasta sauce a few at a time, I think I have enough for once a week for six months. The are under a dollar for a large can.

Judy

 

[Meemur]

This may not work for some, but some strategies to consider:

- Simplify meal prep and cooking. For example, I saw "Cooks Country" take a 28-step Julie Child recipe and reduce it to seven steps and about 12 fewer ingredients. Unless you are a retired gourmet foodie, this type of thinking will save time and money.

- Simplified cooking means shopping is easier. Try to develop local sources, too, like for eggs and meat. Is there a local farmers market nearby? Go there and start making connections.

- Water is a fine beverage! If your local water is bad, figure out why and employ work-arounds. Here's a free one: if chlorine is the problem, pour water into a pitcher and leave the top off the pitcher overnight. The water will taste much better in the morning.

Getting used to drinking a lot of water will help with beverage shortages. You can also make a number of beverages and smoothies at home.

And lastly, if you don't know how to cook some simple dishes, it is worth learning. You can avoid restaurants and TV dinners. If you think cooking is too much work, check out Jamie Oliver's 5 ingredient series. I disagree with some of the exotic spices he uses (he's a Brit) but substitutions can be made.

 

[rob0126]

If you are on city water, please use a filter.

Even if it's a simple pitcher type, it's better than nothing.
(The stuff in city water would make you cringe)

Aquasana makes decent countertop filters that line into most regular faucets.
We have used them for over 10 years. (They say it filters some fluoride but not all)

Also they sell an undercounter. They also have a 3 stage filter but it costs more.(filters fluoride as well)

(correction, I gave those spares away to goodwill. sorry)

Sometimes Aquasana runs specials where you can get the unit and filters for same price as just the filters (60.00)
They also sell whole house units for the folks who have that kind of dough.

Longterm, if you can afford one, a gravity fed berkey water filter.

 

[TKO]

Something funny of late. Went to my local Walmart the other day. Bought a few things. The total came to 19.00. Hmm. Next, went again yesterday and bought a few things. The bill came to exactly 14.00. My wife went to Walmart today and the bill came EXACTLY to 122.00. What? Is this due to the change shortage? Are they rounding up numbers to the nearest dollar now?

 

[Quiet Man]

People WILL pay for the more expensive brands if that is their only choice

If I recall correctly, both history and psychological studies have shown that many will pay more even if it's not their only choice. There is a need to have creature comforts and to feel superior/better/special/rewarded/comforted. Advertising works because of this.

Also, the need for 'quality' will dramatically increase.

 

[Just Plain Mom]

Posted on another thread as well. Trucker son called to report that truck stops are not half as crowded as usual--much less so. Parking spots galore! He says that on some of the trucking sites he reads, a lot of drivers are saying they'll sit at home for the duration rather than run for the small amounts they're paying per load. It isn't cost effective. (You'd think they'd be paying MORE during a pandemic, but apparently they are paying less.) I have to wonder if that has an effect on the amount of goods available.

The cold storage places are still up and running, and he's been to two in the last couple of weeks.

His is a large company and he himself isn't doing poorly. He has a student so stops every night (as opposed to teams where you stop to eat, whatever, and then the other person drives and you just keep going). He just took a load of meat to the east coast and is waiting for another load out, probably tomorrow. He was offered a load south, which he rejected because he wants to spend time with the student before they go back for testing, west.

 

[twobarkingdogs]

I just need to go get more yellow onions and I'll be good to go.

If you garden then onions are one of the easier things to grow. PIA to keep weeded but easy to grow. Just pay attention to getting the correct type for your area, short, intermediate or long day. I usually start mine from seed around now and put them in the ground sometime in november.

Here in N.Ga I grow 2 types. One is a short day and the other is a intermediate variety. I do this as the intermediate day ones harvest about a month later then the short day in my area.

tbd

 

[coolsoberlady]

The incentive I needed to can more hamburger, beef, and chicken. Thanks for the heads up. I have a running grocery list now, just need to find space in the pantry.

You DON‘T need more space in your pantry! You can store jars, cans, boxes, etc under beds, under couches, behind clothes in your closets, on top of bookcases, China hutches, etc! Get your kids (or grandkids) to help you find small pockets of areas for storage! Clean out a closet and install shelves or a $35 storage shelf unit (think Walmart) for groceries! Don’t have a basement!? Think garage! We ALL have more space available than we initially think!! My husband noticed jars of tomato sauce and tins of Spam under our bed and was rather shocked! Good luck!
Cool Sober Lady, age 72

 

[packyderms_wife]

You DON‘T need more space in your pantry! You can store jars, cans, boxes, etc under beds, under couches, behind clothes in your closets, on top of bookcases, China hutches, etc! Get your kids (or grandkids) to help you find small pockets of areas for storage! Clean out a closet and install shelves or a $35 storage shelf unit (think Walmart) for groceries! Don’t have a basement!? Think garage! We ALL have more space available than we initially think!! My husband noticed jars of tomato sauce and tins of Spam under our bed and was rather shocked! Good luck!
Cool Sober Lady, age 72

One we don't have kids. Two I have a huge basement that I can fill with canned goods, well, I already have, just replacing what we've been using, I just need to reorganize my basement pantry.

 

[rafter]

Went to Costco this weekend. No canned vegetables other than dice tomatoes, black beans & Canned mushrooms. Bought some of that. No green beans, corn, baked beans, tuna, pasta.
Lots of items not Kirkland brand anymore

What about their frozen? That is what I buy from Costco. I need some but don't want to drive 70 miles and there not be any.

 

[Troke]

If I recall correctly, both history and psychological studies have shown that many will pay more even if it's not their only choice. There is a need to have creature comforts and to feel superior/better/special/rewarded/comforted. Advertising works because of this.

Also, the need for 'quality' will dramatically increase.

Right after WWII when things were really tight in Europe, production was naturally concentrated on what TPTB thought were necessities. Populace seemed lethargic, not working very hard. Started producing some not essential but "luxury" goods and total production perked right up. I think Eric Hofer pointed this out. People will work harder for luxury than for necessities.

 

[Quiet Man]

Started producing some not essential but "luxury" goods and total production perked right up.

Very interesting. Thanks!

 

[et2]

What about their frozen? That is what I buy from Costco. I need some but don't want to drive 70 miles and there not be any.

My wife likes their mixed veggies. Corn, carrots, peas ( yuk). They had that, and broccoli. Mixed berries, strawberry,raspberry,blueberry (yum), papaya,pineapple

 

[Shadow]

If the producers who make the large cans for restaurants could market it to Costco and Sams that would provide a market for their goods. It would provide a market for the farmers who grow only for the food service industry, instead of plowing their food into the ground. And it would take some pressure off of the grocers.

Shadow

 

[vessie]

If the producers who make the large cans for restaurants could market it to Costco and Sams that would provide a market for their goods. It would provide a market for the farmers who grow only for the food service industry, instead of plowing their food into the ground. And it would take some pressure off of the grocers.

Shadow

If you go to the Costco Business Centers (anyone with a Costco membership can shop here), this is how they sell most of their veggies etc. are sold.

In the Huge cans.

The prices can be a bit better and the choices different if you go to a Costco Business Center, because they cater to businesses and restaurants.

What I also love about shopping at these, is that they open at 8am for any age And they're never crowded!

I go to the one in Fife, Wa. V

 

[Trivium Pursuit]

the what???

Ghee

 

[reaganchick]

I am even saving pickle juice at this point. The BBQ joint I first got to know in AL used pickle juice instead of buying vinegar to make their BBQ sauce

TWIX® 'N TWEEN BARBECUE SAUCE​
1/2 c. ketchup 1/4 c. mustard 1/4 c. dill pickle juice 1 tsp. hot sauce 3 tbsp. sugar, or to taste Mix together. -- TWIX® 'n Tween Barbecue Sauce - Recipe | Cooks.com

Brent, Al??

 

[Homestyle]

I stocked a lot of jars of Better then Bullion, tomato pesto, basil pesto, fish sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste and lots of real mayo. Mayo can be used in place of eggs and oil in most baked goods. I like Duke's. Rich and creamy. I can't stock enough food to last for years and not going to try but in a food shortage I can flavor the basics I do have stored.

 

[nehimama]

Better Than Bullion is ALL I ever use since discovering it. I just cooked some pearl barley with the beef base - - YUMMMMY!

 

[Secamp32]

I went to Costco in NY this weekend and they had pretty much everything except nitrile gloves and cleaning wipes. Plenty of Charmin and they even had liquid hand soap which has been hard to find.