by NICHOLAS OETKEN

Rising inflation, a higher cost of living, and tightening economic conditions have made many people understandably wonder if a major economic recession (or even a depression) is on the horizon.

The COVID pandemic offered a glimpse into what could happen in the event of a severe economic downturn. When the lockdowns first occurred, people who had previously considered the idea of prepping to be only sheer lunacy were suddenly woken up by the harsh reality that our world is not as stable as it appears.

These were the same people who flooded to the stores to buy up as much food and household supplies as they could get their hands on. The shelves were stripped bare of basic items like soap, toilet paper, and basic foods in no time.

Thankfully, the economy has been able to rebound since then, though most people would probably agree that it’s not nearly as strong as it was prior to the lockdowns. Prices of basic goods have risen in earnest since the pandemic and the value of the dollar has dropped.

These factors have continued to make people anxious about another economic downturn that could be even more detrimental than what we saw from the lockdowns during the pandemic, which is why many are stockpiling the essential items that they believe will disappear again.

But which items specifically are likely to fly off the shelves the next time? While it’s impossible to predict the future, a good indicator perhaps is to look at what happened during the Great Depression in the late 1920s and 30s. When the Great Depression hit, hoards of people likewise flooded the stores and markets and stripped the shelves clean.

Here are ten items that vanished off the shelves when the Great Depression hit:

Staple Foods

This includes foods that are usually affordable and can be incorporated into a wide variety of meals. Examples include wheat, flour, beans, rice, sugar, and spices.

Each of these foods was in extremely high demand during the Great Depression and was subject to rationing by the government as the depression continued.

That is why many people resorted to eating this superweed, which saved large communities during the Great Depression. And soon enough, we might be doing the same thing.

Modern day survivalists such as yourself would be wise to recognize that these kinds of staple foods are very versatile in regards to the dishes they can be used in, and will be targeted by people again when the next economic downturn sweeps in.

Canned Foods

Canned foods (such as canned meats, beans, and vegetables) are crucial for one very simple reason: they retain their edible quality and nutritional value while having a very long shelf life.

So long as they are kept in the right storage conditions, certain kinds of canned foods can last for five years or even longer. What’s more, is that most canned foods remain incredibly inexpensive.

During the Great Depression, people recognized the value in stockpiling canned foods just like they do today.

When people flooded the supermarkets and grocery stores in the early weeks of the Great Depression, canned foods were among the first items to go…and they will be among the first items to go again.

Dairy Products

The Great Depression inflicted a severe blow to the dairy industry, and production and distribution from dairy farmers dwindled rapidly. Milk, butter, and cheeses were in very short supply.

Meat

The cost of beef, chicken, and pork rose significantly during the Great Depression, turning a basic hamburger or steak into a rare luxury for families.

Many people were forced to hunt (sometimes even off-season) just to put meat on the table because they couldn’t afford roasts or steaks out of the store.

Comfort Foods and Beverages

Comfort foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate/cocoa, ice cream, and warm soups experienced severe shortage during the Great Depression.

While not essential for survival, these kinds of comfort foods are certainly beneficial to help with morale during trying times.

Clothing

A basic shirt or pair of overalls became a very luxurious item during the Great Depression.

People were forced into sewing their own clothes out of what rags and pieces of cloth they had on hand, and some people were even forced to live and work without shoes.

Buying spare shirts, pants, jackets, socks, and shoes for each member in your family would be wise.

Personal Hygiene Products

Basic hygiene products such as toothpaste, soap, and shampoo also became scarce luxuries when the Great Depression hit.

Modern day survivalists should anticipate a future shortage of personal hygiene items, much like how we saw during the pandemic.

Vegetable Seeds

During the Great Depression, many families managed to stay alive by planting seeds and growing their own food. But even new seeds became scarce eventually as well.

Even if you don’t grow your own crops now, you may in the future when times get tougher. Research which types of crops grow well in your area and buy the appropriate seeds accordingly.

Medicinal Plant Seeds

During the Great Depression, access to medical care was severely limited, making medicinal plant seeds highly sought after. People relied on traditional remedies and homegrown solutions to treat common ailments.

Seeds for plants like echinacea, chamomile, and chicory became invaluable as modern medicines grew scarce. If you don’t have medicinal plant seeds in you stockpile, get your own Medicinal Garden Kit from here while they are still in stock.

Inside your Medicinal Garden Kit, you’ll find 10 seed packages with high-quality, NON-GMO seeds packaged in US, along with the details on how to plant, grow, and harvest each one.

Fuels

The Great Depression was just as much an energy crisis as it was an economic one.

Gasoline, kerosene, and propane all became in very short supply during the Great Depression, denying them the ability to travel around in vehicles or even to heat their own homes. Start stockpiling fuels you’ll need to power your vehicles and sources of heat now while you still can.

Medications

Basic medical care and medications were denied to people who could not afford them during the Great Depression as well. Be sure to stock up on any prescription medicines you are reliant on, any off-the-shelf medical items and especially antibiotics. Since antibiotics are typically not available over the counter, here is an ingenious way to stockpile antibiotics without a prescription while you still can.

The Great Depression showed us that when economic conditions become dire enough, people may be forced to turn to themselves or each other for medical treatment. But without proper medications or medical items, even treating yourself properly can become difficult (if not impossible).

There’s an old saying that history repeats itself. Even though the Great Depression occurred nearly a hundred years ago, the behavior of people has not changed. That’s why when the next depression hits, people will act exactly as they did during the Great Depression in stripping the shelves bare of the above items, which will force the government to implement rationing in response to it.

Get ready and start stockpiling now while you still can.

If you want to learn more about foods you can forage for, here you will find all you need to know about the superweeds that saved large communities during the Great Depression.