Stockpile Challenge – Update #2

By Daisy Luther

One week into the Stockpile Challenge,  we are now out of most of those items we all pick up fresh at the store each week.  I purposely did not go out and stock up on a huge amount of fresh produce and cheese because I wanted the challenge to be more akin to a sudden change in circumstances.  I still have some fresh carrots and potatoes, but that’s it for fresh vegetables.  I’m down to the last 2 apples also, then it’s on to canned and frozen for our produce.  I am moving on to the milk that I store in the freezer as of this morning.

I had horrible back spasms this weekend so haven’t yet made my farmer’s cheese or my yogurt – those are on the agenda for this week.  I was very thankful to have nice jarred meals waiting for me so that I didn’t have to cook this weekend – it hurt to stand up for even 5 minutes.

I am sure that everyone will find the first week the easiest.  Most people will have plenty of food the first week in a real disaster – they will run out of odd things here and there but it will only be minor inconveniences, like perhaps no milk for their coffee.  (Okay, the minor-ness of that particular example is debateable!) Going in to the second week is the point at which I suspect the general public will start foraging in the back of their cupboards and piecing together odd things for meals. (Of course, Superstorm Sandy belies my assumption, since people were claiming to be starving to death after 3 days. )

One week in, how is the challenge going for those of you who have joined in?  Have you made any observations you’d like to share?