Why do people load up on perishable food before storms?

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

I never understood this (I don't work now, but having worked at a supermarket in management for years) and neither does my family understand, so maybe you can shed some light.

Here in PA the grocery stores are wiped out of milk, eggs, bread and all kinds of things for the impending storm. Bread I can understand, but why do people buy "perishable" food before a snow storm?

IF your power goes out you're not cooking without power! (Unless you have a camping stove or grill, but then you have to go outside to use your grill in the storm).

We always have a lot of food on hand (perishable and non perishable), as we shop every Monday or Tuesday year round. But if we didn't, I would focus more on getting non perishable food before a storm.

And I doubt all the crowds that run to the store have generators so well I just don't get it! (We always used to joke at work, that everyone must sit and eat all day and night long while they're snowed in the way they buy everything in sight! lol).

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

we have a gas cooktop, so yes, we can cook on top of the stove if the electricity goes out.....and of course, you never know when the electricity will go out. i may be trapped inside the house but i wont starve. LOL

i did buy a lot of lunch meats today also.....so the extra bread i bought will come in handy.

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

It's like why do people "cook" during blizzard conditions???? Power goes out what are you going to do???

I have a large freezer plus the food saver. I am well stocked in bread & lunch meat.

Power goes out, my well stocked freezer will last another 2 weeks. Has a backup built-in generater.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Ane1Care · ‎05-16-2010

I've wondered this too. When the blizzard of 93 hit our power went out, but luckily we had a covered porch that got wind blown snow in / on it that allowed us to move the cold foods to. The frozen stuff went in deeper, the fridge stuff sat basically naked...the wind chill was in the negatives. Honestly I don't remember what we ate, but I think we grilled on the porch, not really grilling, but using it as a stove top.

Here, in upper west SC, one flake can fall or better yet, a prediction of one flake, and everyone rushes to the store for bread and milk. People who normally don't eat bread or milk buy it. Just last night people had heaping carts, "They said it may snow." is the common response. I stock up on canned soups, if I get anything during the grocery store craziness.

It just proves that folks, today especially, aren't prepared for an emergency. They panic. It should be a mandatory class in HS to learn how to make a fully stocked pantry with first aid, and necessary supplies to last at least a few weeks, and how to make a bug out bag encase you have to get out quick. Plus, drivers ed should really instill in kids the importance of a car kit--food, water, first aid, blankets, toilet paper, emergency signals, etc. It seems that knowledge is only for the "crazy bomb shelter" people. But, those are the first people to be called on in an emergency.

ballyk · ‎03-09-2010

My husband and I discuss this every time there's a big storm predicted. Where we live getting a foot of snow is not unusual and I've never run to the store for supplies, in fact haven't left the house in a week and we're eating just fine. Also never understood living on eggs cooked in butter with toast and drinking milk.

adoreqvc · ‎03-09-2010

Loading up before a storm is senseless if you are loading up on foods which need refrigeration, and you do not have a generator which supports your household needs, so you can switch it on, if the power fails.

Pray everyone stays safe with the upcoming storm approaching this weekend, in the North East and elsewhere too.

VanSleepy · ‎10-05-2010

I figure people buy milk, bread, and eggs in case they can't get out of the house for a few days. Lots of French toast I guess lol. All I want to be sure of is enough gas for the snow blower!

surfk · ‎07-12-2010

Well, I don't think that anyone but an idiot runs out to buy perishable foods before a storm thinking "power outage".

While power outages can be quite common especially in certain areas, it not always a guarantee in every storm - even a bad one.

So I would tend to think those who stock up on basic perishables like milk and frozen foods are working from the perspective: "What if the storm lasts for days or weeks...but the power stays on????"

They're taking the gamble (as all life is a gamble) that the power won't necessarily go out but the roads will be impassable and stores closed.

It all sort of comes down to the whole "Is the glass half empty or half full?" when facing any impending "storm" that life can throw at people.

In this instance, half the people take the risk that they'll lose all that food if the power goes out while the other half of the people risk not having such foods on hand for days or weeks should the power remain on.

BlingQueen022 · ‎09-23-2012

Not everybody's house is all electric. A Giant food store in the dc area sold out of every pack of chicken they had because of this storm, lol. Apparently, somebody in the dc area has a gas stove top.