When we were living in Kentucky, Vince was on some emergency preparedness board and that is when we learned that stores keep close to zero inventory on most items. Several times while living in Kentucky, we had a lot of snow or ice and the store shelves were emptied out. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the trucks to arrive and restocking to be done.
Today we went to United to get some items that were on sale and some items that we needed – cabbage, limes, bananas, onions, ginger and a few other fresh items. There was not a single one of any of those items. Way more than half of their vegetable bins were empty. Shoppers were irate and some were pretty vocal! We asked a manager and he said all their produce comes out of Lubbock and the trucks had not been able to run due to the ice and snow. I understand and I’m glad they were looking out for the well being of their truck drivers but folks, please realize how quickly your food supply can be interrupted. The roads became a problem for the truckers probably Sunday so by Thursday . . probably by Wednesday but we just saw it today . . the store was out of so much!
If I had not been able to get onions, cabbage, limes, bananas and ginger somewhere else, it would not have been a big deal because we have plenty of food around here but, if you’re one of those people who keeps just a little bit of food on hand, there may come a time when you’re in trouble!
We went to Kroger and they had everything we needed but seeing the empty shelves in a normally fully stocked grocery store kinda makes my heart flutter a bit. Kroger’s trucks mostly come from Dallas and it was west and north of here that had so much ice and snow.
BTW, United did have a truck that had just arrived but it was going to be about 30 minutes before they got the food back on the shelves and we didn’t wait, so this wasn’t a long term shortage, but it can happen!
Libby in TN says
Even our Krogers in Mid-Tenn have been short of some shelf items as well as produce. I could probably go a month with what we have on hand as long as we don’t lose power.
Marilyn S says
Judy, We do have orange, grapefruit, lime, tangerine and lemon trees in our back yard. I only have the bottom freezer in my fridge but I do squeeze most of my lemons and limes and freeze the juice in ice cube trays, then into zip lock bags. I have fresh lemon and lime juice year round by doing this and never have to pay .99 for either piece of fruit at certain times of the year.
Marsha B says
This past week in Albuquerque, we had 900 semi’s parked on the closed I-40 due to the bad roads east of here. It was only for a couple of days, but I bet some of your produce was waiting to head farther east of here. It is always good to have a pantry full for just such an emergency. Thanks for the reminder.
Have a Happy New Year!
Theresa says
Good reminder. Always smart to have enough food to get through weather or disasters. Even if it’s just beans and rice, it’s good to have extra.
Dianne says
Always disturbing to walk in and see empty shelves, I think of the people who do not have gardens or can their own food. I’m guessing most only have food for 3 – 7 days on hand. They just think the grocery and food will always be there for them….
Nancy says
Every since they ran an article about ‘The Big One’ that will hit the Pacific Northwest at some time, the city has been telling people to have enough food and water to last at least 3 days because that is how long it will take for the government to be able to assist (perhaps longer, since we are city of bridges). I live in a big city and I was raised by folks that went thru the Great Depression so we always had enough food and canned more every year. Water is another matter. I am looking at our supplies of food and water and wondering how to store more water. While all the while my husband and I are attempting to downsize the house and get out of the big city. I don’t think that retirement would be a good plan at our current location. I want a single level home but will still want enough space to store food.
myrna sossner says
New Year greeting from sunny Florida … with no hurricanes, etc. this year YEA!
Don’t get me wrong … I have great sympathy for those in other parts of the country.