As you stockpile food in case of supply chain problems, remember that if you or your family won't eat it, it's not a great thing to stockpile.

All the freeze-dried, nitrogen packed food in the world won't do you any good if it's not something you're willing to eat.

Sure, if you get hungry enough you'll eat it. "Hunger is the best seasoning." But imagine trying to feed a picky eater stuff she doesn't want to eat. Do you need that added stress in an already stressful situation?

Before trouble hits, taste test what you plan to stockpile. And get foods you normally eat, which will store long-term, to have on hand. Most canned foods, if kept cool-ish, will last for years past their "best by" date. Dried stuff will last for years if you keep it dry and keep pests out of it.

I would suggest you learn to garden and stockpile seeds. Make sure the seeds you stockpile will also produce seeds that are true to what you planted. Not all do in this hybridized world. Heirloom seeds can prevent this, but you can also experiment as you go, saving seeds from this year's crop for next year. Save the seeds that work, change what you plant if it doesn't.

Learn what edible plants grow naturally in your area, and notice what wildlife might be hunted nearby in an emergency situation. In a bad enough situation, you won't be worrying about game laws, but will do what you need to.

You may need to find creative ways to stockpile food. Be sure to rotate cans as you use them-- use older stuff first.

I have an old entertainment center made for an old-style TV. It is really deep, tall, and fairly wide. Bought at a second-hand thrift store. I put more shelves where the TV went. I filled the drawers with spices and other stuff. It makes a great second pantry, holding almost as much as the main pantry in the kitchen.

I also store canned food in my cellar-- which gets too warm in summer to be an ideal place, but I'm working on fixing that issue.

You might also use boxes under beds or other furniture. Don't forget to rotate your supplies!

Stockpiling food also helps if you lose your job, have an unexpected expense, or are cooking something and realize you're missing an ingredient and the stores are closed for the night. Just remember to restock whatever you use at your first opportunity!

If you go hungry in a SHTF situation it's because you didn't plan well today. Don't let this happen!