This is the second post in my series on prepping. If you're just jumping in, see my prior post on the 5 inexpensive and versatile foods to stock first.
Once you've got the five most important foods stocked, you might decide that is sufficient for your anticipated needs, which is absolutely fine - these decisions are ones we all need to make based on our own criteria and priorities. If you do want to round out the assortment in your long-term pantry to further expand the foods you can make and ensure you are covering dietary needs, read on for next steps.
This next phase is really quite easy, and actions I'm sure you'll find helpful in your daily routine, not just during a period of uncertainty. It involves connecting with your community to find sources for fresh items and learning to grow a few things inside your house - not a garden and nothing that takes up more than a few inches of space, perfect for even small apartments!
Connect with people in your community to find a source for honey/maple syrup, eggs, meat, and fresh veggies and fruits. If you live in the country, typically you will see plentiful signs along the road advertising these items. Or, you can investigate to see if some local farms offer them. If you live in the city (and in the country too), look to join a CSA (community support agriculture). A quick search online will provide many websites listing active CSA's in your area or state, your neighborhood food co-op will likely have a board posting these, or check at your local farmers market. Farmers markets, in general, depending on how big they are, may provide everything you need. Fruit may be impacted by both weather and availability workers to pick them. So, check out berry picking farms near you. Many sell the berries as well if you can't, or don't want to, pick them yourself. Scouting these out ahead of a crisis, getting familiar with how they work, and incorporating them into your life will put you more at ease when the time comes where supply disruptions or shortages forces the necessity of these alternative means of getting fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs/meat. The last few Summers, I have been visiting a farm two miles away from me that sells fresh vegetables, honey, maple syrup, jams, meat, eggs, strawberries, and blueberries. I passed their sign by the road for many years without paying any mind to what it was advertising. So, it pays to be on the lookout as they have been a fantastic resource since then! Two neighbors within walking distance from me also sell eggs, both duck and chicken, that I can get year-round. And, by visiting farmers markets, I have scouted out sources for honey, maple syrup, and fresh and dried mushrooms, all who deliver.
The second suggestion I have for getting fresh veggies into your diet during supply chain or production disruptions, is to learn how to sprout. Anyone is able to do this on a kitchen counter with only a few inches of space - no grow lights or space for pots needed. If interruption to your daily life goes on for a significant amount of time, you will be craving fresh veggies. Sprouting provides that, and a lot of nutrition as well! The basic method of sprouting is to soak seeds in water for a number of hours and then rinse and tip upside down the mason jar with your seeds in it so it can drain. It takes just minutes out of each day to rinse and drain, and after just a few days you are rewarded with a jarful of fresh sprouts. A lot of people are familiar with the stringy sprouts most often offered at the grocery store. That is just one type. There are close to fifty types! Sprouted peas taste just like eating fresh peas from your garden and sprouted wheat can be turned into bread, just to name a few types! You need specific seeds for sprouting. These sprouting seeds are just like the seeds you plant, however, they have been tested for high germination rates and have been stored appropriately to suppress any mold. Sprout People is my favorite source for seeds. They are so passionate about sprouting, have built a solid network of seed suppliers ensuring quality, and provide detailed information on each page of their website to guarantee you are successful in getting your seeds to sprout to their full potential. They also have a range of mixes I have never seen offered anywhere else - a great way to take in a variety of nutrients and vitamins, rather than just eating one type of sprout at a time. Also, visit their Substack page, which has an immense archive of information. True Leaf Market is another great source. They stock the largest range of seeds I have seen and the quality has also been great every time I have ordered. While you're on their site, take a look at their stainless steel wide mouth sprouting lids as well. You'll typically be using a quart size mason jar to sprout, which you probably already have on hand (just make sure it is really clean to deter mold growth). And, you'll also need some sort of mesh lid for the jar, which allows water to slowly drain out in between your rinses. Buying the special stainless steel sprouting lids works well. Or, you can retrofit your own mason jar rings - cut circles to fit inside the ring out of window screen, fine hardware cloth, or plastic canvas (used for needlecraft). Or, place a double or triple layer of cheesecloth or muslin over the top of the jar and secure with the mason jar ring or a rubber band. I tip my jars upside down on a wood rack my dad made for me, but you can just set a bowl in a corner of your kitchen, leaning the mason jar against the wall/cupboard so it is tipped slightly and can drain into the bowl. No need to buy a special stand unless you want to. I will create a post specifically on sprouting, but I hope that gets you more familiar with the fun and ease of sprouting!
If you have a large South facing window in your apartment or house, you may be able to grow a medley of things successfully without any grow lights, heat mats, or humidity tents. Deep in Winter here in Minnesota, I have been able to grow a variety of lettuce, romaine, and corn mache as well as green onions. Additionally, I am testing out growing potatoes, red onions, garlic, and compact peas and peppers by this window, so I will keep you updated on how those progress!
What do you think about this phase? Do you think this sounds doable? And, even a little fun?!
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