As I mentioned in a couple of my previous post with the flooding in the midwest and all the crop losses across the world food prices are going to start to rise substantially ( and that is if you can find what you want). You can read about it here. And with the tariffs being put in place it is also going to affect prices
Shortages are already starting to happen with fruits and vegetables and some over the counter meds and prescription meds.

So I thought I would put together a list of things you can do now to help get prepared for the upcoming rising prices.

First off look at what you buy and eat. There is no sense in getting stuff that you or your family will not eat. But also remember especially if money is tight that most everything you eat can be made for scratch yes it does take a little longer but it is usually a whole lot cheaper and not to mention way way better for you. This list is the things you need to stock up on now before things start going up even more. It is also a list of what you need to cook from scratch and what you can make with each item.

You can make a menu for two weeks or for a month then look at what you need to have in your pantry and how much to make these meals. After you have the amounts for two weeks or one month multiply that amount by 26 for the two-week menu and 12 for the one-month menu. This is what you will need for a year. Remember if money is tight just get the basics and cook everything from scratch.

You also need to think about planting a garden to supplement this list. Even if space is limited you can plant a few things even if only in pots. Everything you grow your self is one less thing that you will have to buy. Add or subtract things that you use or don’t use.

The starred items are the things I feel that are the most important to get.

*Flour/Wheat Don’t get wheat unless you have a grinder ( you can get a little to use for sprouts). With the flour, you can make.
• Bread products
• Cakes
• Cookies
• Flour Tortillas
• Pancakes/waffles
• Pasta ( noodles, spaghetti, etc. more if you have a pasta maker)
• Pie crust ( pies, pop tarts, and pot pies)
• pizza crust
• crackers ( saltines, cheese, graham)
• Cream soups
• Pudding
• Biscuits
• Pita Bread
• Pretzels
• Glue paste
• Clay
• Play Dough

Rice
What you can use rice for
• Flour ( if you have a grinder)
• Use to stretch meat
• Rice pudding
• Main dish with added vegetables and or meat
• Side dish ( just add a little Broth, seasonings or salsa)
• Spanish Rice
• MYO Rice a Roni
• Fried Rice
• Chicken rice casserole
• Soups
• Pet foods

*Oats
Things to use oats for
• Oatmeal
• Cookies ( no-bake)
• Breakfast bars
• Granola
• Granola Bars
• Cookies

Corn Meal or ( whole corn if you have a grinder)
Things to use Corn Meal for
• Corn Chips
• Cornbread
• Cornmeal mush ( really good if you roast the cornmeal before)
• Cornmeal pancakes
• Cornmeal Dumplings
• Baked Polenta Fries

Whole corn ( would be good to have slacked lime if you want masa)
• Corn Tortillas
• Tortilla chips
• Hominy
• Grind your own cornmeal
• Masa Harina

*Beans get what your family likes to eat. Dry beans are a lot cheaper than canned but having a few cans of beans on hand is pretty handy for quick meals. Remember you can can your own beans for an added savings.
• Add to meat to stretch it.
• Soups
• Beans
• Baked beans
• Use instead of meat

*Vegetables  Canned frozen or dehydrated ( with canned you don’t need to worry about freezer space)
• Soups
• Add to meat to stretch it ( great in meatloaf)
• Side dishes
• Add to rice

*Fruit (Frozen, dehydrated and canned)
• Snacks
• pies
• cobblers
• Jelly/jam

*Sugar/Honey

*Salt

*Meat
Canned or frozen
Buy in bulk and separate into meal-size portions to freeze or can.
With careful planning, you can stretch your meat. A whole chicken ( or chicken parts like thighs, legs or breast) can make several meals
A pound of hamburger can also be stretched to several meals ( I use to get 4 meals from a pound of burger)

*Powder Milk
You can go here for all the uses of powdered milk.

*Oils
Don’t forget to save your bacon grease to cook with.

Tomato products
You can get the # 10 sized cans of tomatoes and tomato sauce and make just about everything tomato based your self, like pasta sauce ( use on pasta and pizza), ketchup, salsa, in stews and soups, pretty much any tomato-based product.

*Baking Soda
• Washing soda
• toothpaste
• deodorant
• dishwasher soap
• laundry soap
• cleaning supplies
• and of course to cook with

*Vinegar
• Cleaners
• Pickling
• Fabric Softener
• hair Conditioner

*Spices & herbs
Get what you use don’t forget you can make your own blends so just get the basics.

Yeast
A sourdough starter would be great to have.

Baking Powder If you plan to make your own you will need baking soda and cream of tarter

Pasta
• Add to soups and main dishes to stretch them.
• Don’t forget you can make your own pasta

Cocoa Powder
• While not super important it would be nice to have for a treat with it you can make
• Chocolate syrup
• Chocolate chips
• Cookies
• Cakes

Personal hygiene products a lot of these you can make your self.
• Toothpaste
• Bath soap
• Shave cream
• Razors (if you get straight edge you can resharpen them a few times)
• Shampoo
• Conditioner ( can be used to make fabric softener)
• Feminine hygiene (you can go here to see how to make your own luna pads )

I know it looks like a long list but try to get what you can start with the starred items. You can go here for ways to save money you can go here for ways to save money so you have a little extra to get some of the things you need.
And I can’t emphasize enough to cook from scratch it is so much cheaper.

Can you think of anything else to add to the list?