Comments on: Getting Other People Involved In Food Storage http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/ Finding the keys to the future…and trying not to lose them in the mess. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:04:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jen http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12956 Jen Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:31:55 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12956 I think it's interesting how times change, and what used to be par for the course is now weird, or considered hoarding. I remember my great aunt and uncle had tons of stored food, in pantries, a chest freezer... she canned & dried, etc. (All that "old people" stuff.) And it was completely normal (even to a city kid like myself) because that's what everyone of their generation did. No one accused each other of hoarding...it was just common sense. So strange that the perception of food storage has changed so much in so little time... I think it’s interesting how times change, and what used to be par for the course is now weird, or considered hoarding. I remember my great aunt and uncle had tons of stored food, in pantries, a chest freezer… she canned & dried, etc. (All that “old people” stuff.) And it was completely normal (even to a city kid like myself) because that’s what everyone of their generation did. No one accused each other of hoarding…it was just common sense.
So strange that the perception of food storage has changed so much in so little time…

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12955 Sharon Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:35:23 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12955 Erika, if you search "hoarding" on the site you'll find a couple of posts on the subject. I agree that it is a false way of thinking people immediately jump to, but I'm not sure what to do to end it, other than keep writing on the subject. Sharon Erika, if you search “hoarding” on the site you’ll find a couple of posts on the subject. I agree that it is a false way of thinking people immediately jump to, but I’m not sure what to do to end it, other than keep writing on the subject.

Sharon

]]> By: Erika http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12954 Erika Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:14:46 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12954 Great ideas! My questions come from a bit closer to home - my DH is constantly complaining about how much food I have stored (e.g. extra bags of dog food - usually one bag, her bin full (holds one bag), and when it's close to empty, I buy one to replace the one that will go in her bin - two bags lasts about 8.5/9 weeks; sugar - the organic sugar at Costco is cheap, and I bake a LOT, so I usually keep 4 or so on hand... he doesn't even like that I buy the big Costco sized ones), even though his family has several large cabinets and a second fridge for storage. He doesn't mind canning and drying food - he grew up with that (family garden). I try to explain to him why I'm doing this (PO, CC, the fact that we live in Western Washington, where winter storms and power outages are a regular occurrence, the economy, the economics of food storage [cheaper in the long run], etc.), but he lags a bit behind me when it comes to jumping on the proverbial bandwagon regarding PO, CC, the environment/etc. We have also had family members who have been invited to help with gardening/canning, invited to plant their own garden at my in-laws, and offered free seed - all of which they've declined. Then winter comes, money gets tight, and the same family members are asking for $ for food or "some of that good homecanned ______." Sometimes I wish I didn't have a heart, and could say, "Lack of proper prior planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part." I don't think the conversation was here... maybe the yahoo food storage group... but at one point there was a really good discussion going about food storage vs. hoarding. I certainly think that those of us that keep up (or try to) with Sharon understand the difference between planning for a years worth of food for our families and hoarding things/food, but sometimes, when people find out one of my big goals is to get to the point where I have a years' supply of food for my family, that we have a working method in place to not only eat from it, but restock it regularly, they start jumping to the conclusion that I'm a hoarder - that I compulsively "squirrel" away food. I think it is unfortunate that so many people - average Americans (those I'm thinking of) - are so detached from reality (esp. the negative parts - our cushy, oil-fueled, fast lifestyle most likely will end; the environment is trashed; your job might be cut in this "recession," etc.) that they think that preparedness is a disease. I'm no where near my goal of a working annual food storage system, nor am I anywhere as eloquent as Sharon and most of the others here when it comes to explaining myself, but I do try to make it a point of conversation - be it my garden (small front yard victory garden and shared big garden at in-laws'), cooking from scratch, or keeping a stocked pantry - one of those is bound to come up on a regular basis... --Erika Great ideas! My questions come from a bit closer to home – my DH is constantly complaining about how much food I have stored (e.g. extra bags of dog food – usually one bag, her bin full (holds one bag), and when it’s close to empty, I buy one to replace the one that will go in her bin – two bags lasts about 8.5/9 weeks; sugar – the organic sugar at Costco is cheap, and I bake a LOT, so I usually keep 4 or so on hand… he doesn’t even like that I buy the big Costco sized ones), even though his family has several large cabinets and a second fridge for storage. He doesn’t mind canning and drying food – he grew up with that (family garden). I try to explain to him why I’m doing this (PO, CC, the fact that we live in Western Washington, where winter storms and power outages are a regular occurrence, the economy, the economics of food storage [cheaper in the long run], etc.), but he lags a bit behind me when it comes to jumping on the proverbial bandwagon regarding PO, CC, the environment/etc.

We have also had family members who have been invited to help with gardening/canning, invited to plant their own garden at my in-laws, and offered free seed – all of which they’ve declined. Then winter comes, money gets tight, and the same family members are asking for $ for food or “some of that good homecanned ______.” Sometimes I wish I didn’t have a heart, and could say, “Lack of proper prior planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part.”

I don’t think the conversation was here… maybe the yahoo food storage group… but at one point there was a really good discussion going about food storage vs. hoarding. I certainly think that those of us that keep up (or try to) with Sharon understand the difference between planning for a years worth of food for our families and hoarding things/food, but sometimes, when people find out one of my big goals is to get to the point where I have a years’ supply of food for my family, that we have a working method in place to not only eat from it, but restock it regularly, they start jumping to the conclusion that I’m a hoarder – that I compulsively “squirrel” away food. I think it is unfortunate that so many people – average Americans (those I’m thinking of) – are so detached from reality (esp. the negative parts – our cushy, oil-fueled, fast lifestyle most likely will end; the environment is trashed; your job might be cut in this “recession,” etc.) that they think that preparedness is a disease.

I’m no where near my goal of a working annual food storage system, nor am I anywhere as eloquent as Sharon and most of the others here when it comes to explaining myself, but I do try to make it a point of conversation – be it my garden (small front yard victory garden and shared big garden at in-laws’), cooking from scratch, or keeping a stocked pantry – one of those is bound to come up on a regular basis…

–Erika

]]> By: Grandma Misi http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12953 Grandma Misi Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:41:05 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12953 I used to be the "Y2K" nut case... but things from the family are lightening up while the world is getting heavier. Saw some real lights go on this holiday season (that pun just happened by itself, lol) when we were all snowed in for 2 weeks (me by myself way out in the boonies and with suddenly no running water to boot). My adult kids kept asking if I wanted them to send someone to rescue me, they were pretty worried. Every time I just chuckled, and said "Now, you KNOW that I have plenty of food here, plenty of stored water and the knowledge/ability to get water from the lake to flush the toilet, boil it to clean it up enough to wash dishes and take a "bath" - I'm just ducky folks! and I was... it was fun, and not the slightest worry or hassle. Yeah for reading Sharon and knowing about PO and CC for several years, huh? Grandma Misi I used to be the “Y2K” nut case… but things from the family are lightening up while the world is getting heavier.
Saw some real lights go on this holiday season (that pun just happened by itself, lol) when we were all snowed in for 2 weeks (me by myself way out in the boonies and with suddenly no running water to boot).
My adult kids kept asking if I wanted them to send someone to rescue me, they were pretty worried. Every time I just chuckled, and said “Now, you KNOW that I have plenty of food here, plenty of stored water and the knowledge/ability to get water from the lake to flush the toilet, boil it to clean it up enough to wash dishes and take a “bath” – I’m just ducky folks!
and I was… it was fun, and not the slightest worry or hassle.
Yeah for reading Sharon and knowing about PO and CC for several years, huh?
Grandma Misi

]]> By: Jennie http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12952 Jennie Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:10:29 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12952 "Don't forget to bring six months of food with you." Hahahah! I love that! “Don’t forget to bring six months of food with you.”
Hahahah! I love that!

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12951 Sharon Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:51:19 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12951 Most of the people who say that to me are well, people who probably will come stay with me ;-). But I know what you mean when it is weird. I once said "Well, don't forget to bring six months worth of food with you." And someone blinked and laughed nervously, but it got the point across. Sharon Most of the people who say that to me are well, people who probably will come stay with me ;-) . But I know what you mean when it is weird. I once said “Well, don’t forget to bring six months worth of food with you.” And someone blinked and laughed nervously, but it got the point across.

Sharon

]]> By: Liz http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12950 Liz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:51:54 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12950 Sharon, I'm curious how you deal with people who respond, "I don't need to store food, I'll just come stay with you!" The first time someone said this to me, I took it as a joke. The second and third and fourth times were eye-openers. Frankly, I'm much less likely to speak face to face with people about food storage now unless I know they're going to be receptive. I write openly on the blog, but I think most of my readers are far away enough that I don't really need to worry about them knocking on my door (that's a nervous sort of joke). What I use as a conversation opener these days is an off-hand remark about maybe needing to have a larger garden this year. The response I get from that usually tells me whether it's safe to continue. I really hate feeling this way, as though everyone around me was a potential threat. Sharon, I’m curious how you deal with people who respond, “I don’t need to store food, I’ll just come stay with you!”

The first time someone said this to me, I took it as a joke. The second and third and fourth times were eye-openers. Frankly, I’m much less likely to speak face to face with people about food storage now unless I know they’re going to be receptive. I write openly on the blog, but I think most of my readers are far away enough that I don’t really need to worry about them knocking on my door (that’s a nervous sort of joke).

What I use as a conversation opener these days is an off-hand remark about maybe needing to have a larger garden this year. The response I get from that usually tells me whether it’s safe to continue.

I really hate feeling this way, as though everyone around me was a potential threat.

]]> By: Jen http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12949 Jen Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:49:57 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12949 The issue of pride reminds me of a story my grandmother told me years ago about growing up during the depression. She grew up in a farming family, and they had lots of eggs on hand, but her father (an Italian immigrant) refused to sell them to earn an extra few dollars for the family because then everyone would know just how poor they were... The issue of pride reminds me of a story my grandmother told me years ago about growing up during the depression. She grew up in a farming family, and they had lots of eggs on hand, but her father (an Italian immigrant) refused to sell them to earn an extra few dollars for the family because then everyone would know just how poor they were…

]]> By: wasteweardaily http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12948 wasteweardaily Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:27:36 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12948 I talked with a woman tonight who is moving to Detroit her new husband just got a job there after being unemployed for 9 months. She said he was taking a 40% pay cut over his previous job. They were going to have to live off less. I conveniently pulled out Depletion and Abundance from my bag( a Christmas gift) and handed it to her saying "You may want to read a book like this then". She looked interested and wrote down all the info. She said she knew she could do it because I had told her that living with less was a choice we had made and she knew they could do it too. Now I need to talk to her about food storage! Cindy in FL I talked with a woman tonight who is moving to Detroit her new husband just got a job there after being unemployed for 9 months. She said he was taking a 40% pay cut over his previous job. They were going to have to live off less. I conveniently pulled out Depletion and Abundance from my bag( a Christmas gift) and handed it to her saying “You may want to read a book like this then”. She looked interested and wrote down all the info. She said she knew she could do it because I had told her that living with less was a choice we had made and she knew they could do it too. Now I need to talk to her about food storage!
Cindy in FL

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/comment-page-1/#comment-12947 Sharon Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:59:11 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/01/06/getting-other-people-involved-in-food-storage/#comment-12947 Trish, frankly, I'm horrified at Israel's response - I find it totally appalling and unjustifiable. Beyond that, honestly, it would take a longer response than I have time to construct right at the moment. I almost certainly will write about it, and fairly soon, but not tonight. Sharon Trish, frankly, I’m horrified at Israel’s response – I find it totally appalling and unjustifiable.

Beyond that, honestly, it would take a longer response than I have time to construct right at the moment. I almost certainly will write about it, and fairly soon, but not tonight.

Sharon

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