Beans & LegumesWill There be a Food Crisis?
Our debt ceiling is looking to rise again. Our stock market is acting like an emotional 6 year old. The people are not willing to spend their hard earned money in the stock market. Food prices and inflation is going up like a hot air balloon. In short the world is starting to face what could turn into one of the worst food crises in decades.
While America has typically been the land of plenty, we’ll start to feel the burden along with others all over the world. The increases in food prices have already taken affect and are not likely to improve in the near future. In 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture expects food price to rise between 2 and 3 percent. As of February 2011, the price of wheat has increased 83% and the price of corn has doubled since one year earlier.
Dairy and cattle farmers are concerned for the industry. Land values are dropping. Fuel, fertilizer, and seed costs are going up. The cost of beef products is expected to increase by almost 40%, leading to much higher prices for any meat eaters. Grocery shoppers can expect to pay higher prices on items like eggs, fruits and vegetables, since they’re more vulnerable to changes in farm prices than processed foods.
The prices of our commodities such as oil, cotton, wheat and corn are on the rise and no sign of stopping. In a time of a bad economy when a lot of people don’t have jobs, it’s going to be really tough for them. Americans cannot afford higher prices on food and clothing when their incomes are not moving up.
Anyone remember when a can of coffee was actually 48 oz.? Or when a can of tuna was 7.25 oz.? A can of vegetables used to weigh 16oz, a pack of gum contained 20 sticks, and salad dressing was a quart, and so on and so on. Suppliers have been able to sneak in a reduction of product with every change in packaging. It tricks the people because the prices haven’t been changed. But we have been paying more for quite some time. The food crisis may seem very depressing, but it is not the end of the world. There are some things we can do to offset the rising cost of food, and events.
Grow your own food. Even if you live in the city or the suburbs, you can still benefit from a small home garden. If you live in an area where you can grow your own food or raise small game, you may consider doing so. This will not only save you money, but will also contribute to a healthier diet.
Stock up on dry foods and emergency foods. It is a good idea to purchase a lot of nonperishable foods now. You will want to look into instant milk, freeze dried eggs, meats, fruits and veggies.
Build up your emergency fund. Start saving more now so that if you ever need to dig deeper into your savings, you won’t have to take on any debt. The last think you want is to have to make major sacrifices that will hurt the quality of life for you and your family.
Increases in food prices will continue to have a huge impact on our economy and our lives. While it is impossible to project just how long these increases will last and how deep of an effect they will have on the economy, we need to be prepared to protect ourselves against these heightened price levels.
button to subscribe
If there ever is hyper-inflation the price of food will be rising much faster than our income and buying much of anything will be very difficult. While the PRICE of food may fluctuate wildly right along with the price of gold or the stock market… the VALUE of food will always remain the same. Other people my store their money now to by food when they need it. I prefer to buy my food now and store it for when I need it… because when you do need it… chances are you won’t be able to get it. So as long as I have my food storage and my garden… food prices can do what they want and it doesn’t make a difference to me.
July 22nd, 2011 at 12:37 pmHello folks: I agree with what has been written in the above news letter. I would just like to add some tips that may help you in the future. #1. Get some chickens for eggs, it’s very easy and you can always feed them grass clippings from a mowed lawn if you can’t feed them. # 2. Stock up on bird seed and get a bb gun, you can always shot some doves or someting to eat. #3. Get some rat traps, they’re great for catching squrriels and birds also, frito chips work great for bait. # 4. If you’re not great at fishing or they’re not biting get some crawdad traps. Some crawdads and freeze dried rice will work if you’re hungry. #5. If you decide to get a gun start with a 22 rifle, the ammo is still cheap. #6. Get a wetsuit for severe cold weather, they work great. A good place to buy them second hand is Craigslist. #7. Go to Youtube and start to research what’s on your mind, you need to self educate because the 6:00 news won’t do it. Just a few tips folks, God bless.
July 24th, 2011 at 10:40 pmYes. Good tips. I moved out to the country myself, and closer to family. We have our own well, live on a lake, have several acres of land to grow a garden, and have wild life that graze our land. Our town also has many small businesses like a poultry farm, an orchard, angus farm, garden/ farmers’ markets, berry farms, etc. Tough times are coming and preparation is important. Make a plan.
July 24th, 2011 at 11:22 pmSHERI; Hey lady…just what small city are you referring too. I am an organic farmer looking for a home. Packing up all my equipment etc. and ready to make a move in a coupla months. I se it as imperative to be with.around like minded individuals who still comprehend the necessity of ‘sweat equity’. Therefore…my skills are looking for a home. My head is prepared along with my cupboard. So..please respond here. I will search back later. Also the SHTf (shithitthefan website ) is really helpful. I also believe in physical silver…buillion rounds or ‘ junk silver’(pre 1965) as another means to barter ‘ Constitutional Money’. Common Law may also make a quick comeback so…know your 10 commandments at the least. Water filtration…esp in the beginning. Talk to you soon …Sheri….please. thanks big time. jerry v
July 25th, 2011 at 12:18 amI’ve been stocking up on food and using it over the last 25 years(my whole adult life basically) and I can’t tell you how many times it came in handy for different reasons. It is a way of life for me. I’ll always stock up on food, meds and supplies. It only makes sense. I wish we could have chickens here. I love the fresh eggs. But the city won’t let us. We only have 1/4 acres…we want to buy the 1/4 acre next door so we can grow more orange trees and other things that might grow here in Florida.
July 25th, 2011 at 12:24 amUp here in Northern New York, you can get a cabin with 5 acres ( or more) of land for $25,000,( cash sale) 4 of them listed are within a 15 mile distance of Malone NY.
July 25th, 2011 at 12:31 amBring a portable green house or two, or make them yourself- growing season is shorter up here. Otherwise, it’s low crime, very quiet.
I agree with you,and yes absolutely right on with the coffee . I have been buying the cheap dollar store brand as far as my funds are limited . IE 3 months ago it cost $5.50 and this week $8.50 . I have also noticed people are getting scared and the shelves are getting cleaned of canned goods beans & rice , But we who live in the Country in much more Danger than just food shortages . Please check the UN plan Agenda 21 for sustainable living . soon we will be hunting and gathering in the Kings Forest. http://www.takingliberty.us explains . Get prepared Now
July 25th, 2011 at 4:20 amSadly, most people won’t realize or deal with the reality of food shortage until they can’t get their junk food favorites at McDonald’s or their local supermarket.
July 25th, 2011 at 4:49 amAnother thing that worries me a bit is the possibility of a lack of medical care, medications, etc. It is extremely urgent that we all figure out natural ways to treat our illnesses, if we are reliant on drugs. Which herbs that grow naturally around you are good for making a liver tonic? What herbs make a good pain killer? What about a calming affect?
Too many of us are chronically ill due to the overabundance of toxins we consume or are exposed to in our daily lives from the processed food, beauty products, cleaning products, etc. If you feel bad every day now, how will you feel when the SHTF? the same, if not worse, exacerbated by the stress of the situation.
I believe getting yourself physically fit, healthy (physically, emotionally and mentally) should be some of the top priorities.
If you don’t have the strength or energy to till, plant, and weed your garden, well, having a garden won’t be of any use to you, right?
We are getting sicker and sicker as a population thanks to our government and the FDA.
July 25th, 2011 at 5:10 amyes canned food, fresh drinking water,anti-biotics ,silver and gold coins, a generator, survival gear etc. are all important, bullets are at a premium price and takes months to get them.! but a 1200 fps breakbarrel pellet rifle is very quiet and very powerfull and accurate,and needs no bullets when there so expensive ,or on back-order for 8 months or more ,or you just cannot find them,!! And buy a good knife..!!
July 25th, 2011 at 5:18 amLance — I have never heard of a dollar store selling something for over $1… where do you go to get coffee at a dollar store for $8.50?
One thing I am learning how to do is cook from scratch. I have access to raw milk, and just this weekend I learned how to make mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and whey. I also made my first batch of yogurt.
We want to get chickens someday, but right now I get mine from a local farmer where I get my raw milk and organic beef. I also want to learn to make more things from scratch, more beans, wheat, etc. I basically only know how to make wheat berries, flour and wheat grass with wheat, and the beans I have, well, only chili, vegetable soup with beans, and baked beans. So I don’t know how to make the best use of my “staple products” yet. I also have a lot of FD foods and meals, so I know that will help, and we have a 9,000 gallon freshwater pond in our yard (man made, with a waterfall!) to use for fresh water, and when that runs out, we have 2 more ponds (not man made) and a lake across the street. We live in a semi-rural area, but still a suburb, so I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate chickens at this point…
We do have fruit trees planted (maybe about 12 of them) so within a year or so they will start to produce, and we have perennial herbs and veggies (like asparagus) in our yard, along with our annual vegetable garden.
We are prepared at least, for folks who just recently started… We didn’t start preparing until 2 1/2 years ago and I have learned so much since then. We go to the church cannery twice a year to stock up on the staples, little by little, and every month or so, buy maybe $100 or so worth of FD foods or ingredients. (free shipping, that is why!) We are building up our stock of ammo, and fuel. Little by little. In another couple years I hope to have some solar panels, too. There is so much to think of, and sometimes it stresses me out!!
July 25th, 2011 at 5:18 amCindy, i am interested in the 5 acres and log cabin you speak of for $ 25,000, can you give me more info. on these spots.?. thank you, Robert
July 25th, 2011 at 5:24 amIn 2003, we lived through Hurricane Ivan (a Cat 4). Despite an almost dead-on hit, our new brick home had only minor structural damage due to the improved hurricane building code. However, we were without power for 21 days and, thankfully, had some emergency supplies, such as a generator. It changed my life, and now we have back-up plans for our back-up plans. A recent FEMA class I attended gave me more ideas. It doesn’t take a national disaster to destroy our living standards; something could happen at any moment and we should all be ready. Thank you, Ready Store!
July 25th, 2011 at 5:51 amRebecca . We live near a small town and it is what they call Family Dollar Store and our Grocery store is way to high an example my Favorite Spam , $3.75 at the Grocers and $2.50 at Family Dollar. Please any of you Preppers out there who have land and or want land need to check out ww.takingliberty.us as they are trying to stop private land ownership , it has already reared it’s ugly head in over 600 towns and counties across the USA . I hope everyone has a bug-out place and or a very well guarded bug in location .
July 25th, 2011 at 6:11 amlooking for that land with a cabin in Northern NY for $25Gs
July 25th, 2011 at 6:16 amVery good advice. We can be glad that the Ready Store is there to help us stock up on the food that we may need up to 25 years from now. You can not beat that kind of deal.
July 25th, 2011 at 8:53 amCindy,
July 25th, 2011 at 10:28 amCan you provide more info about land in NY? How to find it, etc.
Rebecca and others that are worried about medical and how to handle illnesses outside of the medical hands of the world…I do travel on occasion to other places (i.e. tropical islands (I’m a diver) and my significant other and I would just go to a local pharmacy and find items like Clove Oil (for tooth aches), antibiotic powders (in little containers that would fit in any emergency kit). You usually can’t find things like that here and if you do, they cost outragious amounts of money in the US. If you can’t get to a place like that and know someone that may, ask them to see if they could locate some for you. Also….purchase these books. “Where there is no doctor” and “Where there is no dentist”.
July 25th, 2011 at 12:13 pmIf you want to stock up on antibiotics, just go to Amazon.com and type in fish antibiotics in the search feature. Same as what we humans use, but much cheaper, and you don’t need a prescription. Get some Cipro, it is effective against Anthrax as well as the usual bacterial infections. Stay away from tetracycline, it is the only antibiotic that I am aware of that becomes poisonous sometime after it expires. The other antibiotics may have reduced efficacy over time once they are past their Use by Date, but they will still work and won’t hurt you. After a year or two past the Use by Date you should consider titrating them to see if they are still effective.
July 25th, 2011 at 1:14 pmIf you really want to know what is going on and why and who google in America: Freedom to Fascism and watch the full length video by Aaron Russo. I believe it is the second video listed. It is on YouTube and may not be on there much longer so go watch. It is a rather long video, so be sure you have time to sit and watch it. I am thinking it will last 35-45 min. Also a book “Tragedy and Hope” by Carroll Quigley was written a long time ago exposing plans that have been in the works for a long time. You can buy it on Amazon.com. Read it. Be sure and do the above as it is happening right now. This is why it is so important to buy freeze-dried foods and supplies now. Thanks.
July 25th, 2011 at 2:04 pmI made a video showing the next 4 years as prices increase. Anyone else noticed the meat shortage? Price of meat is skyrocketing! Why? Cost of finishing off the beef before slaughter is too high thanks to the high price of corn, so the ranchers sent the animals to market early, so there’s a shortage of meat taking place right now. Anyway, the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS1stw26ULs
July 25th, 2011 at 4:58 pmI have lots of canned good that have a long shelf life.
July 27th, 2011 at 10:30 amI have bottled water.I have all the goods I need to feed 30 people for a year.
I have 2 AR-15 5.56
I have 2 shotguns 12 Ga.
I have 2 45 auto’s
I have 2 44 magnum’s
I have 1 AR-10 308 Win.
I have 1 B A R 300 win.mag.
I have 1 416 Ruger
I have lots and lots of knives and swards.
Come Get Some.lol
@Dave W. — I applaud your preparation. Mine is similar, although smaller in scope.
Although you probably meant it as a joke (hence the “lol” at the end of your “Come Get Some,”) I wonder if you’ve thought about actually having to use your defensive arsenal on your neighbors when they show up begging for food and water because their kids are dying. I can see protecting my family from looters and marauding gangs, but I’m not sure I can reconcile refusing help to my extended family, friends, and neighbors, with my Christian values. Even at the expense of the well-being of myself and my immediate family.
Obviously one solution would be to stockpile much more than I and my immediate family would need, in anticipation of having to provide for others in a crisis. Another solution would be to convince friends and neighbors of the need to get prepared for such a crisis — a need that I believe is both serious and immediate. On the other hand, trying to convince friends and neighbors to get prepared, just publicizes the fact that I already have done so, and increases the liklihood that I could get those visits from those in dire need…
I plan for the worst, yet hope for the best.
July 28th, 2011 at 10:42 amOne can never have enough bulk food storage and I can’t think of a better place to get it than here… thanks!
July 28th, 2011 at 10:48 amJust got my final shipment of freeze dried fruit. I think my 9 month emergency supply is complete. I feel very comfortable saying my family will not be hungry,no matter what comes!
July 28th, 2011 at 1:45 pmWhen the SHTF,I will not ask twice to go away.I tell people to stock up.I tell them to buy a gun and a gun safe,and lock up the ammo so only you know where it is.Every time you go shopping for food,spend a little more and stock up on some canned goods.Then at tax time you buy dry goods from here and you put them in you safe place.
July 31st, 2011 at 6:28 pm1.Food.Short and long term.
2.Water.The big blue barrel.And a way to get more water.
3.Shelter.Where your at now.And a safe place when you can’t say where your at.
4.Fire.Lighters,matches in a water proof case.
5.Guns & ammo.12 gauge good for hunting and protection.
6.Cutting tools.Good fixed blade,and a back up.Folding blade.
7.A plan.Just sitting there will not get it done.Act,don’t react.
Not much time left.Be ready for anything.
Love the great info everyone is sharing!
Does anyone know where to acquire epi-pins, and minor surgery / suturing kits? FamilyPreparedness@hotmail.com
Heat in a # 10 can – toilet paper roll inside the can, soaked in alcohol makes a great instant source of heat or for cooking.
August 1st, 2011 at 5:49 amsadly most people do not know that we have a real food crisis and taking pre-cautions is absolutely necessary in these times
October 25th, 2011 at 7:55 am