As food shortages continue to impact communities worldwide, alarming updates highlight escalating prices, supply-chain disruptions, and increasingly restrictive regulations. From rising food costs in the US to bureaucratic challenges faced by Australian homeowners, these global concerns are pushing people to adjust their daily lives and prepare for further uncertainty ahead. Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest developments.
Warning Signs at Whole Foods: Organic Supply Struggles
Whole Foods shoppers in southern Texas are encountering cards placed by products like organic milk, creamer, butter, and cheese. These signs acknowledge difficulty sourcing these items due to nationwide shortages. Egg supplies are also affected, with limits of three cartons per customer in some stores. Reports of wiped-out shelves and dwindling dairy selections suggest these shortages aren’t mild inconveniences but part of a larger trend.
Egg Prices Skyrocketing Across the US
Egg prices continue to climb, leaving shoppers stunned. Stores in West Virginia and California are charging upwards of $8 per dozen for standard eggs, and organic options are even pricier. Just weeks ago, these prices were significantly lower, adding financial strain to families across the country. This is more than inflation—it’s an economic strain compounded by ongoing production challenges.
Bird Flu in Michigan: A Growing Concern
In Michigan, over 250,000 turkeys have been culled due to bird flu outbreaks. Farms following stringent biosecurity measures are still being hit. The pathogen is highly contagious, spreading rapidly through droppings or contaminated equipment. This raises concerns about how prepared farms and production lines are to combat such outbreaks in the months ahead.
Longshoremen Strike Looming in January
Union longshoremen on both the East and Gulf coasts are gearing up for a strike expected to begin January 15. Spanning multiple ports, this strike could last months, potentially disrupting the US economy. Workers, fed up with stagnant wages, are unwilling to continue under outdated agreements. Major shipping delays and supply chain collapses could occur if this isn’t resolved swiftly.
Australia’s Permit Nightmare: Paying to Work on Your Own Property
In parts of Australia, residents now need permits costing hundreds of dollars just to perform basic vehicle maintenance, like oil changes, on their property. Additional fees apply if storing “too many” vehicles at home. Residents fear similar restrictions may be extended to DIY home renovations, further complicating basic household tasks.
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Advanced Auto Parts Store Closures Bring Mixed News
On the West Coast, Advanced Auto Parts is closing stores, offering 90% off remaining stock. For those needing to repair vehicles affordably, this is a small silver lining amidst economic uncertainty. However, widespread closures reflect broader supply chain and economic challenges in the auto parts industry.
Puerto Rico’s Power Grid Problems
Puerto Rico, still reeling from Hurricane Maria’s devastation, faces a dire power grid collapse. Alarmingly, $8.7 billion allocated to repairs remains unspent. Residents are frustrated as corruption and mismanagement plague recovery efforts. Solutions seem distant, leaving many without sustainable electrical infrastructure.
Creative Solutions to Stay Warm
With winter utilities rising, people are turning to practical solutions like blankets to keep warm. Truck stops in Wisconsin offer affordable wool blankets under $10. These indispensable items prove that preparedness doesn’t always require high-tech options, just thoughtful purchasing to weather extreme temperatures.
Grocery Store Shortages Hitting Basics
Reports from across the US show depleted grocery shelves reminiscent of early pandemic panic-buying. Essentials like milk, bread, eggs, and flaxseed are harder to find. Stores impose limits on egg purchases, while others fail to restock basic items timely. Customers are left improvising or turning to smaller stores to meet their daily needs.
Inflation’s Grip Tightens
Rising food and utility costs are leaving households to make tough choices. Some, especially in colder climates, have stopped paying utilities entirely this winter, banking on regulations that prevent shutoffs until April. While temporary fixes like payment plans may work, it’s clear that inflation continues to erode financial stability.
Practical Preparedness Pays Off
Stories from proactive families inspire the need to stay prepared. Stocking essentials like coffee, olive oil, and extra food can prevent panic when shortages hit. Blankets, freeze-dried goods, and creative meal planning are all part of practical efforts to make it through uncertain times.
Conclusion
The growing list of food shortages, economic challenges, and regulatory hurdles underscores the importance of awareness and preparation. Whether you’re facing rising egg prices, supply chain disruptions, or local inflation, adjusting now can make a difference. Stay informed, prepare wisely, and look to others for practical ideas to weather these challenging times.
Video summary generated with assistance from AI.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
