You may have seen the grocery store shelves in North America where people came in and hoarded groceries thanks to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Most of that food likely won't get eaten in the next 2-3 weeks. The hoarding makes some feel safe leaving others without actual options.
Milk, bread, eggs are usually what gets taken in with an impending snowstorm. This is worse in a major way since most communities dig out of a snowstorm faster.
If you got to the grocery store later than you wanted, here are some good foods that will help you last longer in a "shelter in place" scenario.
Rice lasts a very long time, much longer than bread. The worse the bread is made, the longer the bread will keep thanks to chemicals. Bread of any type will last in the freezer. Rice is the go-to carbohydrate. Brown rice holds nutrition and fiber advantages over white rice. Fiber is crucial when trapped inside for long periods, keeping you full longer.
You can make rice in large batches, bring them out of the freezer in small batches, and warm them in the microwave. Rice is also huge in terms of being cheaper than any level of bread and, in the best way possible, you have more rice left over when things get better.
Pasta is also inexpensive and lasts for a very long time. You can also make pasta if you have flour and eggs or flour and water.
UHT milk provides longer shelf life but nutrition and taste are lost
You could cut back your "milk" consumption during this time. If that is not practical, you have a few options.
Powdered milk might be easier to find. The idea of mixing water into your milk container may seem, well, gross. Powdered milk is likely not a key raided product.
Alternative milks that are shelf-stable gives you flexibility.
We dread the UHT milk that seems to be quite popular. The longer expiration dates make consumers feel safer even with the nutritive losses with UHT milk. You can extend regular milk beyond its expiration date within reason
Switching to cheese and yogurt helps the dairy and protein requirements. Milk in its forms does offer versatility missing from other dairy products
Will COVID-19 play a role with farmers markets?
Eggs bought from local farmers last longer than store-delivered eggs. Find out if a local farmer can satisfy that requirement. Knowing your farmer is helpful in such times. Farmer markets are pretty much done in the current pandemic. If the farmer can get to you or you can get to the farmer, you can get amazing eggs that will last a long time.
Pasteurized eggs and egg substitutes offer alternatives that are less flexible than actual eggs.
BalanceofFood.com farmers market coverage
Fresh is better: canned and frozen fill the gaps really well. Rinse and drain anything that has been in a can. In a pandemic, canned and frozen are extremely legitimate sources of protein (canned fish, beans) and fruit/vegetables.
photo credit: me
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