How much food.....Short rations...How long could you last.

[Sourdough]

OK, pretend that last night they locked you in your house, or apartment, whatever, nailed the doors and windows, and posted guards, you can't get out........However many people were living in your abode last night, HOW LONG Could they live on the food in the abode. To be clear, you can go on short rations, or pig'out, how long till the food is ALL Gone.......? WEEKS...? Months....????, Years.....?????...How long. The Truth, not save'face look good......NOT Food in the garden, ONLY Food in the house......?

[Born2Late]

If we eat 2 meals a day,late brunch and supper,we can last at least 8 weeks on the food in the house,starting with the stuff in the freezer first.My geyser is 200 litres which would not last long if they cut the water and the backup supply is another 200 litres.Food is not the biggest concern,but water can become a problem.Have 2 big dogs with enough food for them for about 4 weeks in the garage which is connected to the house.After that love and a full belly can create conflicting emotions.I think survival of the family will win.

[Winnie]

I'd say about 2 months, possibly longer. You've just reminded me I need to do an inventory!

[Pal334]

My guesstimate would be 6-8 weeks on food at 2 meals per day. Water about 4 weeks , possibly longer since physical exertion would be limited. And would be staring longingly at the garage/ workshop where the other supplies are stored

[crashdive123]

Can I make it to my front porch (extra water) or storge sheds in the back yard (extra food)?

[Ken]

This is a tough question at the moment. I'm actually "living" in two houses right now. And last night, I was only me and two of the dogs at the "old house." But still....

For what it's worth, other than for a few staples and sale items, I haven't been grocery shopping for the "old house" in about 3 months because I don't want to have to move everything. At the "old" place, I'd say 8 months easy with FOOD, assuming that the water supply still worked (you weren't all that clear on "water"). Heck, I could get by for 2 months just on the Mainstay Bars. I still have the large side-by-side fridge/freezer and the smaller 18 cf fridge/freezer pretty full (electricity still on?). Without electricity - 6 months. Without water supply - 2 months.

The large freezer is at the new place. We have well water and enough gas in the cars and fuel tanks to keep water coming in for a year with the small generator. So at the new place, food? Five of us and the dogs would be there. I have been stocking it up a bit - say 6 months with electricity, 4 months without.

[Rick]

I'm like the rest. Food isn't my problem. Water is. I could stretch the food into 3 months not on starvation rations but eating 2 meals a day. Once you convert your food to something like soup you can stretch food out. A can of mixed vegetables can be turned into vegetable soup pretty easily if you have the water.

With the rain barrels, I now have about 200 gallons of reserve so, figuring 3 gallons per day for drinking, cooking and minimal hygiene that comes out to a little over 2 months.

And don't forget those canned goods are usually packed with water so you can add that in to your cooking.

[Sourdough]

Assume abundant water supply, and electric stays on. My brothers and sisters would be out of food in hours or a few days. They will have one half box of cereral and 1/2 quart of milk, and some ice cream, and two slices of pizza. Thats it. It is interesting that so far members have for themself consider two meals per day to be short rations, not a judgement, just interesting.

[Rick]

Obviously, there are a lot of folks yet to hop on the planning wagon. But even those of us who consider plans important may be missing the boat in the medicine arena. If you are covered by a health plan that includes pharmaceuticals, then 3 month supplies are pretty common. However, if you are not covered, which is a very large number of folks in this country, then 30 days or less may be all they have on hand. It can also be a very expensive part of planning given the cost of many prescription drugs.

I know this isn't part of your scenario, Hope, but if folks are dead within two weeks because they ran out of their heart, blood pressure or other medicines then the amount of food and water is pretty much a moot point.

If you fall into that category, then talk to your doctor about your concerns. Perhaps instead of writing a 30 day prescription, he/she can a write a 45 day script to help you in planning and build up your stock over time. I'm sure your doctor will see a fine line between planning and hording some prescription for nefarious reasons so keep that in mind.

[Ken]

You're right on target here, Rick. None of us in my household are on regular meds, but should the need arise it's nice to have some basics on hand, such as antibiotics and pain meds. My doc is a reasonable guy and has accomodated my requests in this regard. I'd rather toss the stuff and replace it every year than not have it when needed.

One thing that really bothers me is how some pharmacies won't let you refill a prescription until a day or two before your last refill should have been exhausted. Nice. Let's all wait 'till the last minute.

[welderguy]

I do beleive if water is not a concern or electric, at 2 meals a day 6 or 7 months .

[Sourdough]

I always find it interesting that, Mexico trusts it's population enough that, most drugs are over the counter.

[SARKY]

If water, gas and electric aren't an issue then 8 weeks at 2 meals a day, possibly longer as my seeds are in the house as well(sprouts)

[Mountain Man]

Minimum 6 months. Especially if you are lazy and only do 2 meals a day then maybe 9. Rice and beans go a long way... vitamins to supplement the canned fruit and veggies once they run out. #10 cans store a lot of meals

[crashdive123]

With very tight rationing (I consider that 600 to 1000 calories a day), over a year. That would obviously change with the demand of increased physical activity.

[Ken]

If I was ALONE in the house with my sweetie, I'd bet that there would be a whole lot of "increased physical activity" going on.

[welderguy]

If I was ALONE in the house with my sweetie, I'd bet that there would be a whole lot of "increased physical activity" going on.

do you mean...... you and her would get to ..... play the Wii fit since the kids wouldnt be there.

[Ken]

do you mean...... you and her would get to ..... play the Wii fit since the kids wouldnt be there.

That's EXACTLY what I mean!

[Winnie]

Ah but Ken, increased ahem aerobic activity requires extra calorific intake! (oh lord I think I should've phrased that better?!?)

[2dumb2kwit]

If I was ALONE in the house with my sweetie, I'd bet that there would be a whole lot of "increased physical activity" going on.

Until you start eating squirrels!

The New York Times
July 25, 2009


Squirrel Meat Linked
To Erectile Dysfunction


By Tess T. Osterony