It might be hard to imagine food shortages ever occurring in a first-world country like Australia. But when you consider the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the numerous businesses it has shut down, you should prepare for the worst-case scenario.
There are two main reasons for food shortages during a pandemic and economic shutdown. The first reason is that people tend to panic and purchase more food than they need from their local supermarkets.
The second reason is that food companies cannot keep up with the increased demand for food.
That is why the shelves at the grocery store stay empty for most of the day. It takes longer for the staff to restock their shelves due to food shortages and more food demand.
Do you want to keep depending on grocery stores to supply the food you eat? Wouldn’t it be nice to have complete control over your food supply?
Now is the time to prepare for food shortages before they get worse. Below are six ways to prepare for food shortages.
Table of Contents
1) Use a Hydroponics System to Grow Food
Hydroponics lets you grow plants without soil. You can use the system to grow fruits and vegetables indoors without worrying about pests or the need for sunlight.
Choose an online hydroponics store which offers everything you will need to get started with setting up your hydroponic system. If you choose the indoor option, then you will need to purchase grow lights for the plants.
2) Stock Up on Canned Foods
Canned foods have the longest shelf life. The best way to prepare for a food shortage is to purchase a plethora of canned fruit, vegetables, meats, and soups. Then you will have enough food to last you for a few months.
You can store the canned foods in your kitchen pantry or a spare closet in one of your bedrooms.
Just make sure it is a place with room temperature conditions. Do not store them in the garage because the temperatures tend to fluctuate in it.
3) Build a Financial Reserve
There is no telling how long the upcoming food shortage will last. If you ever run out of food, you will want to have a financial reserve available if you need to purchase food from local restaurants or independent vendors.
The supermarkets may have some food items on their shelves, but they might not be what you need. Either that or their prices will be significantly inflated due to the increased demand for them.
You will want to have cash available to purchase any of these food options if you become desperate enough.
4) Start a Garden
If you have any land space available on your property, then take advantage of it by starting a garden.
It will require a shovel, nutrient-rich soil, fertilizer, plant seeds, and other gardening hand tools and accessories.
Make sure the plant seeds will produce your favourite fruits and vegetables. The easiest fruits to grow in a garden are strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Your vegetable plants could include cucumbers, squash, and lettuce.
5) Contact Your Local Farmer’s Market
Some professional farmers make a living by growing organic foods and selling them to local citizens. These are the healthiest and freshest foods you could ever eat.
Try to contact the nearest farmer’s market and establish a relationship or connection with them. Maybe they will give you a discount on their fruits and vegetables if you become a frequent customer.
6) Lower Your Standards
During times of food shortages, you cannot expect to eat extravagant and zesty meals. You need to get into survival mode by lowering your standards regarding the foods you eat.
The cheapest and healthiest foods to stock up on are oatmeal, rice, beans, and corn. They might seem like bland foods, but they can keep your body healthy during times when your food choices are limited.
Image source Pixabay
