There was some panic buying in the U.S. in the early days after people realized they might have to go into quarantine. But most of that has died down and the supermarkets are slowly becoming stocked again.
As far as your initial question about stockpiling oats, I would first have to find out if you liked eating oats. If not it will go to waste.
It is my belief that this pandemic is nearing its end in the Northern Hemisphere. But if you want to position yourself for surviving the future cataclysmic event, then I would recommend consider long term storage techniques. Many foods can be stored for 30 years with the proper storage.
These fall within two groupings:
1. Basic food staples in the form of dried wheat, rice, beans and other grains and legumes can be stored easily. The grains I recommend are stored in 6-Gallon Superpails. These grains are stored in a metalized bag to keep moisture and odors out. Prior to sealing the grains in the bag, an oxygen absorber is inserted. Oxygen absorber packet chemically binds and remove oxygen from inside the bag. Air normally contains about 78% inert nitrogen and 21% reactive oxygen, leaving about 1% for the other gasses. The packet absorbs the oxygen, leaving about 99% pure nitrogen in a partial vacuum. This will keep the grains fresh for a very, very long time. The bags are inserted in six-gallon Superpails. This protects the metalized bags and also keeps insects, mice and other vermin out. It is important to keep food in these
Superpails stored at as cool and steady a temperature as possible (below 75 degrees but not freezing). Food in this
form stored in a cool environment will last 20+ years. Thus you can avoid the problem of constant food rotation. The
Superpails are stackable and fit easily inside a closet. I found the cost of this food a little higher than the cost at a
grocery store. I recommend rice, beans, peas and lentils because of their ease in preparation (simply cooked in boiling
water). Wheat, spelt, barley and oats will generally need to be ground to make flour which will then be processed into
bread, pasta, cereals, etc. A grain grinder will be required to process this type of grain into flour. I have bought and used this product and give it my thumbs up.
2. Individuals can also purchase some freeze dried food to add variety and taste to the meal. Nitrogen (nitrogen back-flushed with less than 2% residual oxygen) packed freeze dried food in metal cans have a proven shelf life in excess of 30 years. This is relatively expensive food. Remember to rehydrate freeze dried food immediately prior to use by soaking the food in clean water.
The following are examples of the extensive variety of freeze dried food currently available. Meats include: ground beef, roast beef, white chicken, diced ham, italian meatballs, crumbled sausages, and white turkey. Cheeses include: sharp cheddar, colby, monterey jack and mozzarella. Fruits include: apple, apricot, banana, blackberry, blueberry, mango, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, raspberry, raisin and strawberry. Vegetables include: asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, mushrooms, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, and zucchini. Freeze dried food can also take the combination form of entrees and meals. A few examples are: chicken teriyaki, beef stroganoff, seafood chowder, macaroni & cheese, blueberry cheesecake.
In the States, the following company can provide this type of foods: Emergency Essentials
08 Apr 2020, 6:17 pm
