Top Survival Items At The Supermarket Besides Food

Activist Post

Previously we have written about the best survival foods found at your local grocery store. But food is not the only thing in supermarkets that can be useful for surviving potential crises. In fact, since large supermarkets have a huge selection besides food, they can provide most survival essentials outside of tools and weapons.

Here are just some of the important survival items to buy in bulk while grocery shopping.  Please add any items we missed into the comment section below.

First Aid Kit: Most grocery stores these days will have pre-made first aid kits which are usually worth buying because they're easy to store and have diverse items.  However, picking up extra bandages, antibiotic creams, band aids, bug spray, aloe, and other items will be helpful.

Medicine: If you have prescriptions, it's best to have at least one month's worth on hand. Over-the-counter items like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, Benadryl and others are also wise to stock up on.

Vitamins: If you're in a deep survival situation, the selection of food will likely be less nutritious than you require. Therefore, to stave off illnesses and infections, having a good supply of multivitamins will come in real handy.

FEMA requests even more emergency food

James Smith, Contributor

On the 31st of August, 2012,  FEMA requested 1.1 Million low sodium MRE’s to help with the demands from Hurricane Isaac. They needed to be shipped on September 1st.

On September 1st, at 10:18 PM ET, FEMA transmitted another solicitation for MRE’s. This time, the standard “Commercial Meal” MRE for those not on a restricted diet.

This Request for Quote is for a commercial Meals Buy and does not include reduced-sodium meals. The purpose of this RFQ is to request for unit prices of commercial meals only, and all other related costs like frieght (sic) costs will be determined at the time of order.

The response deadline on this RFQ is 2 September 2012, no later than 4.00 PM ET, less than 18 hours after the request was made.

What are commercial meals? According to associated document, they are meals that fall under the following guidelines:

FEMA needs another 1 Million MRE’s due to Hurricane Isaac – tomorrow

James Smith, Contributor

Due to Hurricane Isaac landfall and subsequent stalling, the Department of Homeland Security finds that they need 1,100,000 low sodium MRE’s to cope with the sudden demand.

And they literally need them tomorrow.

The shipment date is set for 1 September 2012. From the solicitation: 

Survival tips for the urbanite: Part 1 – Nuclear Radiation

Rady Ananda
Activist Post

Though many survivalists like to prepare for TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it), joblessness and homelessness have led me to the end of the world as I know it. With coffee in hand, I opened the warehouse door of my temporary digs to greet the dawn. Only, it’s noon, there’s a downpour, and the smell of rubber from a pile of decomposing tires greets me. This marks Month 4 in New Orleans and two years since I was laid off.

In this vein, I finally started reading Mat Stein’s two survival books, When Technology Fails (2008) and When Disaster Strikes (2011). I also headed over to Jim Rawles’ Survival Blog and Mat’s website, whentechfails.com.

Instead of a lone-wolf, Mad Max world which plays well on film, Stein reasonably argues that individual survival relies on a community of like-minded folks. So plan your survival migration or shelter with room for your core group. The essential wisdom from both books and most survival websites is to plan a strategically sound survival budget, taking into account the climate of where you expect to be after you hit the road.

Few experts would call the US a failed or fragile state given to eco-migration, but most Americans already live in toxic zones, with our land, air and water being systematically poisoned by industry. New Orleans is only one of many areas suffering from hyper-industrialization and weather destruction. Locals call the corridor from here to Baton Rouge, “Cancer Alley.”

Survival Basics: Water Storage, Sourcing, and Purification

image source

George Ure and Gaye Levy, Contributors
Activist Post

Clean water is something that we all take for granted. We turn on the faucet and there it is. It is plentiful, it is clean and it is drinkable. Yes, it may have some undesirable chemical additions (fluoride come to mind) but that is a subject for another day. So, if a disaster occurred and the supply lines to fresh water were comprised, we would be in a pickle. There is a possibility that safe water would not be available for days and possibly not for weeks.

For this reason, the American Red Cross, FEMA, and just about every other authority out there recommends that the public store at least one gallon of water per person, per day for a minimum of three days. But if you think that a three day water supply is adequate, think again.

A more reasonable recommendation is that you up the recommended amount of stored water to a two-week supply. So for two people that would be 2 people x 1 gallon x 14 days = 28 gallons. This amount should cover your minimal needs for drinking, food preparation and nominal – and I mean nominal – hygiene.

Survival Reading – Books for the Summer Book Bag

Gaye Levy, Contributor
Activist Post

For many of us, summer is a time when we fill up the book bag and head to the mountains or the beach for a little R&R. This year, why not add some survival reading materials to the book bag?

Over the past few months, I have acquired a number of books relating to prepping and survival. Some I have read and others are still in the queue. Alas, it is my intent to put up reviews on all of them, but until I gather my somewhat scattered wits about me, I thought I would provide you with a list so that you can pick and choose for yourself.

Americans are Preparing at Unprecedented Levels

Mac Slavo
SHTF Plan

Do you have enough larder to feed your family and some friends if grocery stores ran out of food? How about several assault rifles and a few thousand rounds of ammo? Solar panels, a water filter, medical kits, bug-out bags, fire starters, tents, sleeping bags, some junk silver and reserve gasoline?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

It’s becoming apparent to many Americans that depending on our local, state and federal governments in the event of an emergency, catastrophic societal collapse or widespread disaster will not be sufficient to meet the needs of your family. Residents in Colorado (and likely the other 49 states) are stockpiling in droves and preparing to live off the grid if it comes to that:

3 Key Preparation Components for Any Emergency

Dees Illustration

Activist Post

The recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan is a horrible tragedy.  It also is a reminder that while not every disaster can be averted completely, those who find themselves on the outer areas of the epicenter will most likely not be able to rely upon authorities for survival.  Ten percent of homes in Japan are now without power, water supplies have been cut, and many rescue roads have been all but eliminated.

There are many levels of self-sufficiency and preparation that we have discussed in other articles, including long-range plans such as how to simplify and survive by growing an organic garden, raising chickens, as well as learning how to generally be a producer not a consumer.  However, the recent events in Japan are a stark reminder that disaster preparation is paramount.  Survivors in Japan are now lining up by the thousands at grocery stores and gas stations attempting to hoard necessary rations.  Certainly they would have benefited from basic preparation prior to the disaster.

Given the tragedy of recent events, preparation for the worst is always a smart idea.  Here are the three essential components of disaster prep which will give you the necessities to survive any situation:

1. Grab and Go Food Kits: Properly made kits are packed in air-tight nitrogen packed mylar pouches.  These kits will last up to 25 years with no rotation necessary.  These meals are easy to prepare, cost effective at around $2 per serving, and designed for a backpack.  They should be at the top of your list of ready-made survival tools.

2. Long-term Emergency Supplies: Finding a reputable company that offers freeze-dried food in durable containers is a must.  Standard packages hold up to 240 meals -- a 1 month supply of 2 servings per day for 4 adults, or 2 adults and 4 children.  This also equates to a 4 month supply of 2 servings per day for 1 adult.  Start with what you can afford and commit to working your way toward a full survival package of 12 months' supply for 4 adults, or 2 adults and four children.  

3. Water Storage and Purification: The packages above rely on a sound water source and enough of it to prepare your freeze-dried or dehydrated food source.  You should have a variety of storage containers and water purification systems that will both allow you to be self-sufficient if you need to stay where you are, or enable you to take your water needs and ability to purify in your travels.  

There are of course many more facets that should be taken into account in order to best prepare for when disaster strikes, but the above three should form the core of protection for you and your family.

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5 Simple Ways To Prepare For The Coming Food Crisis

Dees Illustration

Activist Post

Recently there has been an incredible flurry of news reporting about food shortages and the pending global food crisis. Everyone who looks at the indicators would agree that this crisis is only likely to worsen.  It is estimated that the Australia floods alone could cause a 30% jump in food prices. Although the average shopper already can feel the food inflation, it is difficult to recognize the severity of the looming food shortages.  After all, there are still 15 types of colorfully-boxed Cheerios packing the isles, which gives us the illusion of abundance.

The truth is that we are headed for large food production shortfalls, manipulated or not, while middle-class food demand grows massively in the developing world.  For decades the world's agriculture community produced more than enough food to feed the planet, yet some now believe we are reaching "Peak Food" production levels.  In turn, other experts believe the "food bubble" is about to burst, and not even the biotech companies can save us.

However, there are still vast unused stretches of fertile land that can be used around the globe, and the U.S. ethanol mandates that reportedly consume at least 25% of the corn harvest could be reduced to ease the burden. Therefore, it seems that despite the extreme weather and dwindling harvests, food production still has room to increase, but not without foresight and planning.


Additionally, the current systems for growing food are fully dependent on oil to achieve high levels of production, while livestock production is running at full concentration-camp capacity; the end product must then travel thousands of miles to get to store shelves.  Clearly we can see the fragile nature of this system, especially on human health and the environment.  Consequently, solving the so-called "food crisis" is far more complex than simply fixing statistical supply and demand issues.

Indeed, these are turbulent times where humanity appears to be nearing Peak Everything. Ultimately, solutions to the food crisis will begin at the local level.  There are cutting-edge farming techniques gaining popularity that produce a large variety of crops by mimicking nature, as well as innovative techniques for small-scale food production at home or in urban buildings.  These hold promise for easing local hunger.

Personal ways to protect yourself from food shortages may seem obvious to some, but many feel the task can be insurmountable.  To the contrary, here are 5 simple ways to protect yourself from the coming food crisis:

Source

1. Create a Food Bank: Everyone should have a back-up to the everyday food pantry.  In this environment, you should consider your personal food bank far more valuable than a dollar savings account.  Start by picking up extra canned goods, dried foods, and other essentials for storage each time you go to the store.  Also, hunt for coupons and shop for deals when they come up.  Devise a plan for FIFO (first in, first out) rotation for your food bank. It is advisable to acquire food-grade bins to store your bulk dried foods, and be sure to label and date everything. Besides the obvious store-able foods like rice and beans, or canned goods, some other important items to hoard are salt, peanut butter, cooking oils, sugar, coffee, and powdered milk.  If you don't believe the food crisis will be too severe, then buy items that you would eat on a normal daily basis.  But if you believe the crisis will be sustained for some time, purchasing a grain mill to refine bulk wheat or corn may prove to be the most economical way to stretch your food bank.  Some emergency MREs are also something to consider because they have a long shelf life.

2. Produce Your Own Food:  Having some capacity to produce your own food will simply become a necessity as the food system crumbles.  If you don't know much about gardening, then start small with a few garden boxes for tomatoes, herbs, or sprouting and keep expanding to the limits of your garden. And for goodness sakes, get some chickens.  They are a supremely easy animal to maintain and come with endless benefits from providing eggs and meat, to eating bugs and producing rich manure.  Five laying hens will ensure good cheap protein for the whole family.  If you have limited growing space, there are brilliant aquaculture systems that can produce an abundance of fish and vegetables in a small area.  Aquaponics is a contained organic hydroponic system where the fertilized waste water from the fish tank is pumped through the vegetable growing trays which absorb the nutrients before returning clean water to the fish tank.  Set high goals for independent food production, but start with what's manageable.

3. Learn Food Preservation: Food preservation comes in many forms such as canning, pickling, and dehydrating.  In every case some tools and materials are required along with a good deal of knowledge.  If you can afford a dehydrator, they all usually come with a preparation guide for most foods.  You can also purchase a vacuum sealer if you have the means.  A good vacuum sealershould come with thorough instructions and storage tips, and will add months if not years to many food items.  If you're a beginner at canning, start with tomatoes first.  It's easy and very valuable when all your tomatoes ripen at the same time and you want fresh pasta sauce in the winter.  A bigger ticket item that is nice to have for food preservation is a DC solar powered chest freezer.  It is the ultimate treasure chest.

4. Store Seeds: The government and the elite have seed banks and so should you.  Seeds have been a viable currency in many civilizations past and present.  They represent food when scarcity hits.  Before the rise of commercial seed giants like Monsanto, local gardeners were adept at selecting seeds from the healthiest plants, saving them, and introducing them to the harvest for the following year, thus strengthening the species. Through local adaptation to pests, genetic diversity was further ensured; it was long-term thinking at its finest. That is why it is important to find heirloom seed banks and learn to save seeds from each harvest.

5. Join or Start a Local Co-Op: Joining local cooperatives is very important, especially when food shortages occur. You may not be able to provide for yourself completely, especially in terms of variety, so having a community mechanism to spread the burden and share the spoils will be critical.  If you don't know if you have a local food cooperative in your area you can search the directory at LocalHarvest.org.  You may also be able to get information from your local farmers market.  If your area doesn't have a co-op, then start one.  These co-ops don't have to be big or elaborate.  In fact, it may be more optimal to organize it with friends, neighbors, or co-workers.  Whether you join or start a cooperative, work to expand the participants and products.

Please tell us how you're preparing by sharing your story in the comment section.

RELATED ARTICLES:
7 Reasons Food Shortages Will Become a Global Crisis
How to Survive the Collapse of America

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What They Don't Tell You About Storable Foods

Holly Deyo
Millennium Ark

Today's headlines scream from every sector "get your food NOW!" We are barraged by news of an economic meltdown, natural and manmade disasters and a system that's ready to implode globally. Advertising from survival food retailers impress that if you haven't purchased everything yesterday, you've missed out. As a result, people succumb to the fear factor and buy all kinds of foods they have no idea how to transform from can to pan.

People are getting the message about preparing, but there's more to it than just buying storable foods and shoving them in the closet. How do you prepare them when there's no power or if you're short on water? Did you purchase prepared entrees or plain meats? Are these meals healthy? How can you change that dried chicken from the same boring lump to something soul-warming and comforting?

Without variety "taste fatigue" sets in – even when food is in short supply. This is especially evident in older folks who live alone and grow tired of uninspired meals. While still hungry they simply can't choke down another mouthful of the same old food.

Western countries enjoy a pampered palate. There's no reason your taste buds must suffer drastic changes if the world goes off the rails. However, it takes some pre-planning, common sense and a little organization.

Read Full Article

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