Jul 27 2010
If the supply trucks stop rolling in, what will you be eating?
Due to its enormously centralized structure, the current food supply system of the U.S. and most of the western world is extremely vulnerable to a myriad of disruptive factors. These include economic downturns, energy shortages, acts of God, unhygienic production practices, environmental disasters, terrorist attacks, civil unrest, etc. Any one of these on its own can cause serious interruptions in the supply lines. Two or more happening at the same time could shut down the entire inflow of food to your area for several months.
How likely is this really, you may wonder. I’m not trying to peddle fear and doom here, but an honest, matter-of-fact assessment of where everything’s at right now and how it got to be so shows that the odds aren’t exactly in favor of rose-colored glasses. There’s no denying we live in “interesting times”. Of course I fervently hope that such extreme circumstances won’t come to pass. But what if….how will you cope with a challenge like that? How much do you currently rely on the centralized system for sustenance? What alternatives are available to you in your situation?
Am I preaching to the choir, or is this a new concept to you? Are you young or old, living alone or with a family? In the city, the ‘burbs, or the country? What kind of resources are you able to invest in the peace of mind and positive outlook that come with knowing you’re prepared for challenging times ahead?
What would YOU consider the most challenging or frustrating part of kicking dependence on the system and achieving resiliency in terms of your food needs? (Sourcing, purchasing, bartering, growing, preserving, storing, securing, etc.) Which resources do you have plenty of, and which ones are you short on in this context? Money, equipment, knowledge, skills, indoor space, land, like-minded people, local producers…
Whether you agree or disagree about the likelihood of a food crisis or the importance of personally preparing for one, whether you are just beginning to take some steps at this or are a dyed-in-the-wool self-sufficiency pioneer, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
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