Safe/unsafe food?

[sumi]

Thanks Sumi. I live in a little bubble, and don't even listen to local or national news, do not take the news paper. I was vaguely aware of rumor of government shut down, but totally unaware of when or how extensive. Hubby and I were going to buy bulk hamburg at a national chain store today. Reading that article convinced me that NOW would be a good time to look at all the meats I have stored in the freezer and use those up first.

You're welcome. I'm aware of this as I have a few friends in the States and some of them share articles (like this one) to their FB newsfeed, or tell me about stuff happening across the pond when we chat. Apart from that and a scroll through my Google newsfeed on my phone once a day I'm pretty much in a bubble too. What I do know about this shutdown is that it is fairly extensive and a lot of people are being affected

 

[sumi]

Yep.. this qualifies as a "SHTF" situation, even if it turns out to be fairly short term

That is so true @Britesea This is one of those situations where it's good to have a stockpile of food, be SS to some extend. Not just because of the concerns voiced in the article, but for those families having to go without the monthly paychecks. And I heard something about food stamps not being issued now as well.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

No food stamps? Talk about kicking the poor when they are down. Aside from my personal reservations about how that program can and should be made better... that program, along with the WIC program means the difference for a lot of people: between going to bed hungry, and going to bed with nutritional needs being met for the day. Or not having to make a choice between medication, food, or shelter.

I was once at the local WIC office. I asked the receptionist if they would accept donated garden produce. (They had a table in the waiting room full of day old bread that clients could take home with them) I was told that they would not accept donated garden produce. Yet, at the same time, they have vouchers for produce that clients could use at local farmer's markets. Yep, yet an other brilliant example of how well Big Brother is taking care of the folks under his care. One woman heard this exchange. She got all excited: "You have a garden? You grow vegetables?" I took a few minutes to explain how easy it would be for her to have a small salad garden right outside her apartment door. The next words out of her mouth: "I've never grown anything in my life."

How simple it would be to offer the hope and empowerment that knowing how to grow even a few salad plants would be. This is one of my passions.

 

[FarmerJamie]

..

...One woman heard this exchange. She got all excited: "You have a garden? You grow vegetables?" I took a few minutes to explain how easy it would be for her to have a small salad garden right outside her apartment door. The next words out of her mouth: "I've never grown anything in my life."

How simple it would be to offer the hope and empowerment that knowing how to grow even a few salad plants would be. This is one of my passions.

A lifetime ago, my ex wife took a friend of a friend under her wing. Got her and her daughters a place to stay, etc. Was total amazement of my gardens, chickens, and food stores. Wanted to learn. I spent several weekends getting her a garden set up, with food they liked, coaching them on what too do. She was healthy but had no job. 2 months later she mowed the garden over because "That was way to much work, and I get WIC anyways." Had a deal where We would cover the cost of meat chickens if they would feed them (we bought the feed) and help put them up after butchering. They help package.....their portion....and promptly left....

NEVER.AGAIN.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Yeah, I've been there, done that also. I "helped" a co worker plant a modest garden... a couple tomato, cukes and some lettuce. She was more than willing to watch me do the work. When I encouraged her to get her hands dirty, her response, "I'd better not. I'm not smart enough." Later, when the tomatoes started setting fruit, she would laugh at how her dtr pulled the "little green balls" to throw around in the yard.

For the past 2 years, I've offered to teach basic gardening or hay bale gardening to any one who wanted to learn. This last fall, I offered to teach canning. In the 2 years, I've only had one person follow through to learn how to start a garden.

But, I'm convinced that there is a way to effectively mentor folks to teach them the joy of taking care of their needs, instead of letting the government do everything for them. Not sure I know what that way is... Perhaps requiring work to earn the resources. Similar to the Habitat for Humanity program.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

 

[Rammy]

It just shows you how dependant people have gotten on the government and how its effectively severed peoples desire to be self sufficient. Why should they when Uncle Sam hands you everything? Most people arent going to be self sufficient until thier forced to and thats only going to be when they run out of food stores from the groceries, warehouses, and either killing someone for what they have, or stealing it. When the SHTF, society is going to descend into chaos over food and water.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I always thought it would be lovely to have a local garden and kitchen to teach low income people how to provide for themselves. Then I realized, so few of them want to it's not worth the bother. At least not here.

 

[Mini Horses]

Perhaps requiring work to earn the resources. Similar to the Habitat for Humanity program

Absolutely! And required to enter programs to help with health issues -- exercise, lose weight, controlled eating with nutritional diets, learn to cook, vice buy processed/ready made.....lot of SS things than should be done OR no checks. Require training to get jobs.

GRRRR.....let the aged, can't work, get the $$ to have groceries and heat and cooling, etc.

Used to be that gov't actually provided the food, not a blank check. You went to the location, received allotment by choosing available (healthy) items. Not a shelf of chips, dips and candy! I believe people need snacks & treats but, only after healthy food.

done

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Absolutely! And required to enter programs to help with health issues -- exercise, lose weight, controlled eating with nutritional diets, learn to cook, vice buy processed/ready made.....lot of SS things than should be done OR no checks. Require training to get jobs.

REQUIRED? Still a free country, lol! People are free to eat poorly and make bad decisions... not saying it's smart - but nobody has the right to REQUIRE me to eat what they think I should eat or buy what they think I should buy... sorry... uh uh.. not happening.

 

[Mini Horses]

Well, we were speaking of those receiving government assistance for food stamps, welfare, etc. OUR tax dollars. I see too, too, too many scamming the system. That needs to stop. Just my opinion.