Food storage? Do you keep extra around? Why should we?!?!

We are good on a lot of these concerns.  We are off grid solar, have our own well with 10,000 gallons of storage.  We live in a rural area with abundant wildlife (food).  We do need to stock up on the basic food items for sure. 

My biggest concern comes for my young daughter that has a rare metabolic disorder called PKU.  Basically we limit her protein content to the equivalent of 40grams of bread a day.  We feed her an extremely low protein diet.  These foods are sometimes common like apples and oranges and sometimes not like special low protein pasta imported from Italy.   She will have to drink a special formula that supplements amino acids that she needs for the rest of her life. We have some extra of the formula, but not enough. 

I think the point I'm making here are that food is important but we can't forget about those with special needs  including medications. I take high blood pressure meds and I'm sure running out of those would not be good long term.

I've tried to envision scenarios where if society crashed, how would we survive?

I bet a few folks here could do ok.

People did it for a long time, but it's a full time job...  hunting, gathering, harvesting, salting, canning, brining, smoking, pickling drying, etc...  taking full advantage of every edible morsel and the bounties of each and every season.

I did 1 month off the land in Brazil, a good area for foraging... Lost weight and was not fun... (Now I store food)

I have A fairy good supply of meat and water. I buy bulk meats from the butcher shops and break down and seal A meal it. I have A box refer in the garage stored with fish,ab,meat etc. I buy the one gallon jugs of water and line the bottom of the freezer with them.. About ten containers.Next the food on top with one more layer of water on top.When the power goes out the ice water keeps things cold for A while and at the same time liquifys for drinking.Should be good for A week or so,  dry foods I also keep in bulk like top ramen,and lots of rice.. I have A good storage of batteries and candles as well as first aid kits and weapons. I also keep three car batteries around for shits and giggles dont really know what I will use those for but it makes me feel good! I try to keep beer on hand to no avail! ...

Great thread.  My boy scout days taught me to always be prepared, so I do keep a stockpile of dry goods canned from the morman church.  Mostly rice and beans, but also pasta, dried apples/bananas, sugar, flour, salt, etc.  I'd say my family of 4 has the food provisions to easily make it 3 months without assistance.  I'm within a five minute walk to the Sacramento River for a consistent water supply, but we also have a very shallow water table to hand dig a well if things got too crazy.  A large herb garden (not that kind  ), fruit trees, veggie garden...just need a few chickens and a rooster.

I'm also the equipment guy for our search/rescue team, so my garage has enough camping/outdoor gear to rival any REI store.  Like emorgan, access to medicines would be my biggest concern.  My boy has asthma which requires a few different medicines to manage and they aren't the cheapest to stock up on.  I've wondered if vacuum sealing the meds would add to their lifespan, anyone have ideas on that?

-beenfishin

Medications lose their potency over time, doesn't mean they won't work at all, just not as well. Vacuum sealing won't make a difference because they are already sealed in their respective packaging. I'm not a doctor or chemist, but I do deal with expiring mediations at work regularly and this is what I've been told.
So, what about backup servers and stuff to keep NCKA going? I'm gonna be one cranky dude if I can't get on NCKA daily!

Having a scientist for GF, she has developed a way to keep water long term in used wine bags (the stuff box wine comes in).  It takses some cleaning but we have treated the water with household bleach and found it be safe so far +6 months now.  Being in the Guard gives me access to MRE's, I keep the ones from drill weekends and use them for camping and emergency supplies.  We also have discovered that you can store dry goods long term by storing them in canning jars than vacume seal the container.  Screw the jar lid on lossely, then insert in to the larger vacu seal container, place vacu seal lid on normally and suck it sealed. When you release the pressure to the vacu seal container you will see the lid indent as a vacume is created.  Thius helps keep some dry foods (nuts and stuff) from going rancid.

  A good source for grey water, is your toilet no not the bowl but the upper section.  I also live in an apartment and have everything close to the door so I can get it out if I have too.  Keep your propane tank full, or have spare ones.  For those of us who use charcoal keep an extra 20 pounds availble for an emergency.  Oh, extra rounds don't hurt either, worse case scenario are rioters and looters, and shoot one and the rest will flee.

Work with your neighbors when an event happens, take an inventory of what goods you have in freezers (don't open the freezer if you don't have too, as it will last longer).  If everyone shares out of one freezer then the unopened ones can go longer.  Cook for the neighbors together streches fuel longer.  Keep a few of those baby wipes in your kit as they can be veryuseful at keeping your self clean. Set up a neighborhood watch and take turns for "Guard Watch."  There is strength in numbers.

I also advise people to keep a hundred dollars or more in small bills on hand.  ATM's and credit cards won't work, but cash always does.  If you need to go some where carpool with everyone to conserve fuel.  If need be sacrifice the gas hogs (siphon the fuel out) for the the neighbor who has the most fuel efficient vehicle.

Medications, if you can keep extra medications on hand, or at least an extra perscription if possible for JIC's. Lastly practice your plan and discuss it with others, so everyone knows what to do.

I did 1 month off the land in Brazil, a good area for foraging... Lost weight and was not fun... (Now I store food)

   Was that YOU on    " I Survived "  ?   

         I'm not surprised to see all the NCKA'ers  that are self-sufficient ... and able to put fish on the table too. 

I have 5 X 5 gal propane tanks. The bbq has a small smoker and side burner for cooking. As for supplies I keep all the emergency stuff (first aid, small tent, tarps, tape, gloves, pry bar, hammer, radio, etc) in sealed 5 gal buckets outside on the side yard. In case the house is destroyed I can get accesses to minimal stuff to try and re enter the garage to get the larger cache of food, water, etc. I also keep all my "camping stuff" in one location so I don't have to hunt for it. A few other things to consider. Our family has a local meeting place (the park around the corner) should we not be together and can't make it home. Also have a wrench on the gas meter to quickly turn it off. Oh and don't forget the 40+ gallons of fresh water you have in your hot water heater (assuming you don't have a tankless one). A few things that I have added to a standard kit have been....small bottle of bleach, hammer, pry bar, wire cutters, heavy duty gloves...thats what I recall sitting here.

 Was that YOU on    " I Survived "  ?    Nope... No film crews or safety net Just Two Mormon missionaries assigned to an area with a 60 person town to teach hygiene and family/human values. Tents and hammocks only... Had to leave area due to lack of living accommodations and supplies. What we ate (caught/foraged) they lost as supplies to feed their families... Was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced... My children will never go hungry

On another note, i've been wondering how long someone could sustain themselves independently.  Thought about this several times since moving up to the mountains to live.  I've tried to envision scenarios where if society crashed, how would we survive? 

At my flower nursery, I have enough fuel, generators, fertilizer etc to live a long time.  We could grow veggies, raise fish, and do well.   In a post apocalyptic world where there are few survivors, we would be fine, and able to live cooperatively with a small group of survivors.

In a situation where lots of folks survive but society fails, we would be fine until the barbarian hoards arrive. Would have a hard time defending 10 acres solo.

This last post emphasizes the need for a "community". Just as no man is an island, neither is a single family, unless there are 50 of you, and included skill sets run from farmer to doctor to blacksmith...

e2g's Quote "In a situation where lots of folks survive but society fails, we would be fine until the barbarian hoards arrive."

Bingo! Most of us are prepared or have the knowledge to get by but.....?

Eric mentioned a small bbq...would one  light it if there were hoards of starving people sniffing the wind? Just a simple fire for warmth or cooking could be an open invite to your family and supplies. I have spent some time dwelling on different scenarios and I always come back to the thought that I hope we are never faced with such an event...... but preparedness is important.

e2g's Quote "In a situation where lots of folks survive but society fails, we would be fine until the barbarian hoards arrive."

Bingo! Most of us are prepared or have the knowledge to get by but.....?

Eric mentioned a small bbq...would one  light it if there were hoards of starving people sniffing the wind? Just a simple fire for warmth or cooking could be an open invite to your family and supplies. I have spent some time dwelling on different scenarios and I always come back to the thought that I hope we are never faced with such an event...... but preparedness is important.

i didn't mention i'd have a decoy slab of bacon fat cooking 5 blocks away....if the hoards come that's what the .22, .45, 7.62 and 12ga ammo is for hahaha!

This scenario is a big topic on the shooting forums and everyone talks about having bags ready to go.  My question is, where are you gonna go?  Loot someone elses supplies?  Stay at home where your stuff is, in a defendable position with a roof over your head VS out in the open, (presumably carrying weapons, and food, and supplies...?).  Only way I'd leave my house is if it fell down or burned up.