Disaster prepper names 20 key stuff you want in your emergency stockpile
A woman from South Wales has been stockpiling nearly three months of supplies “in case of an emergency” amid global food insecurity and fears of a new world war.
Ana, a 42-year-old mum of one, has her pantry full of stockpiled food and a rotating supply of vegetables and fruit from her garden, all in case of a supermarket emergency.
She doesn’t want to settle for dull food in any situation, saying: “Who wants to be eating Spam in an emergency?”
She belongs to a growing number of women who are stockpiling their own food reserves, and three years ago set up an online “prepper” community for members to share advice.
Ana with some of her homegrown produce (Image: Analifestyleandfood)
Now the community, Uk Preppers Club, has more than 15,000 members and Ana says it represents families who want to be a little less vulnerable in the face of war and climate change.
However, Ana is resistant to being seen as a forecaster of armageddon.
In an interview with the Daily Star, she said: “The term prepper has been tainted by the American doomsday preppers.
“The only bag I have stashed under the bed has snacks, water and a phone charger in case we get stuck in A&E for a couple of hours”.
A study from the ATM network Link showed nearly half of people surveyed had a stockpile of tinned goods, and Ana believes the message is getting across as her community has seen a 50% increase in members since March.
Ana’s pantry is stocked with dried and packed supplies, all ready for a rainy day. (Image: anasfoodandlifestyle)
Ana, who claims she was previously stonewalled from a male-oriented group, said: “It’s a platform for everyone, women and men”.
And she doesn’t want to diminish the efforts of people who are just starting out.
Inspired by her parents preserving food for cold winters, Ana took it a step further by building a 300 sq foot area in her garden for fruit and veg, and a chicken coop and a water well.
Ana said: “I see the videos where people are buying tins and tins of random food with no thought about what they will make or taste like.
Jars of pickled and jammed goods, all grown and prepared at home. (Image: anasfoodandlifestyle)
“People need to think through what they need, how to provide nutritious food for the family, and it can take time – Rome is not built in a day.”
She has a list on her YouTube channel, Ana’s Food and Lifestyle, of 20 key items people should stockpile, having only dipped into her own once during the Covid pandemic.
She said: “I don’t want people to be frightened, but families can really support themselves for at least a few days in case of an emergency”.
Ana also has a book out called How To stock Up for an Emergency, which offers up her best tips and tricks for anyone getting into prepping.
Global wars have led to a number of similar stockpiling efforts, with others such as American stockpiler Rowan MacKenzie who issued three warnings: “Protect your money, have hard copies of your important documents, and stay alert”.
Ana’s full list of items you need to have
- Cleaning supplies (specifically bleach)
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Bread flour/any flour
- Yeast
- Peanut butter/powdered peanut butter
- Rice
- Pasta
- Beans/lentils
- Salt and sugars
- Medical supplies (plasters, medication) and personal hygiene supplies
- Stock cubes
- Tinned meats/protein
- Dried fruits/vegetables
- Sweet treats
- Cough sweets
- Fresh vegetables like garlic, onions, potatoes
- Soap
- Pet food
- Bonus: spices and herbs
