Here's the scenario:

We are SHTF +96 hours (4 days). The nature of the disaster doesn't really matter. This is more of an exercise in creativity and efficiency. So far the manager of the local grocery store, with help from the National Guard, has protected the premises from looting. However, the National Guard gets called away to a more pressing need and it is now clear that there will be no governmental assistance for at least another seven to ten days. As such, the manager has been convinced to open up the store for "organized looting". Basically, one person from each family can fill a shopping cart with products from the store and leave with those items. Assume for the sake of this exercise that you are the first person allowed to take items and the store is fully stocked.

Things to consider:

What items do you select?
How much of each item?
Do you select necessary items only or include luxury items to barter with?
What sort of products could be considered multi-purpose?

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If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

Can I bring my own shopping cart?

Now this is interesting to think about.

I think I would want a mixture of items. Almost like going to the grocery store normally.

I think I would concentrate more on canned fruits and vegetables, a couple sacks of potatos, beans, rice, noodles, canned soups and such. I already have a pretty well stocked freezer so I would avoid meats and other items normally kept frozen. If the power goes out I have a generator and can store it for about a month. After that the gas would run out and if I couldn't get more gas, it would just rot. Also when it comes to meats and such, I can hunt for that.

A lot would also depend on a bug in or bug out situation. If I was bugging out, I would concentrate more on the dried types of foods, supplement with canned foods, and maybe some fresh produce to cover the first few days. With the dries type of foods, I can gather and carry more that I could use long term.

In either case, I think I would make sure to get a couple of jumbo packs of toilet paper as well. That's the most important comfort item.

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Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

Salt. Several hundred pounds if possible. It has so many uses; food preservation, hide preservation, seasoning, barter, and it's easily divisible.
If I have any room left in my cart, I'll top it off with dried fruit. It's nutritious, compact, lightweight, and will keep for a very long time.
My cart is full now.

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And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

Love it!

Let's see. Personally, I've got a good amount of canned goods on hand and I'd probably be taking care of only myself as I'm currently single and don't have any family living nearby. That said, I think I'd hit up the first aid aisle first and stock up on that sort of gear first especially otc meds and rubbing alcohol/hydrogen peroxide. Plus lots of gauze pads. I'd then grab several gallons of spring water. I'd finish filling my cart by grabbing some ramen noodle meals and some bags/boxes of rice and beans.

Fun post. Lots to think about. Thanks to the OP.

A full cart of canned meats.

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Jerry D Young

Interesting how after several replies there is little if any overlap in what people would choose.

_________________
If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

I think the lack of overlap may be due to people having different priorities in their preps. I try to keep everything equal across the board with less emphasis on meat, since I have the skills and tools to hunt my meat. In a situation like this, I would be trying to bolster what I already have and still maintain the balance that I think meets my needs.

I do not think anyone who does it differently is wrong. We all live in different areas which means different resources available. Everyone also has different needs, so we all have to plan according to what is available at home, what is available at our planned bug out location(s), our skill sets, and any special needs.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

That's the reason for my choices.
I could take care of my meat, produce, and dairy needs. I don't have any salt mines nearby so I would want to have as much as I could store.

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And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

Does this food store sell alcohol? My local one does so I'm stocking up on alcohol, especially vodka and clear spirits. Disinfects, raises morale and good to barter with too.