Food - Week 37: Fruit
Remember that September is National Preparedness Month and that's what we try to inspire you to do all year - be prepared with a growing food supply.
Several factors have contributed to higher fruit cost and this is not the end of rising prices. California produces almost all of the country's almonds, apricots, dates, figs, kiwi fruit, nectarines, olives, pistachios, prunes, and walnuts. It leads in the production of avocados, grapes, lemons, melons, peaches, plums, and strawberries. Only Florida produces more oranges. With this said you can imagine the hit food prices take when California is suffering.
Many factors are in play. COVID was a big factor in rising prices as worker were hard to come by and they still are. Workers can make more sitting home, so many do, or farmers pay workers more passing along the cost to us. Second, rising fuel prices. Fruits must be shipped and transportation cost have skyrocketed in 2021. Third and must importantly, the drought. The California snow pack was just 53% of normal this year and many farmers saw the writing on the wall and knocked the blossoms off trees attempting to save the tree. No blossoms, no fruit. The size and quality of the fruit has also been affected with the government allocating no water for farming. The aquifer has dropped 60 feet in a matter of weeks in some areas meaning wells have dried up.
Here at Totally Ready we try to warn you of coming events and food shortages for fruits and vegetables is one. We do not want to be a chicken little and say the sky is falling or to create fear but knowledge is power. This week store 6 cans of fruit, or bottle 6 pints, or purchase 3 bags of frozen per family member.
General Store - Week 37: Ace Bandages and Finger Splints
As you prepare this week add ace bandages and finger splints to your store.
After a disaster there are often injuries when cleaning up. There is also soccer season and wrestling on the living room floor and so many more occasions when injuries may occur.