Even if the word “hoarding” has acquired a negative connotation in Corona times, learning from rodents is smart. If you have stocked up on food at home, you can easily deal with emergency situations.
You don’t have to think about the worst: even if you’re confined to your apartment due to illness or snow and ice, having a supply will help. “Stock up with predominantly shelf-stable goods that you turn over regularly,” says Vera-Tatjana Gizewski from the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE).
New things to the back, old things to the front
In other words: the supply is gradually used up and renewed in everyday life. It works according to this principle: “You put the new things at the back and the old things at the front,” says the expert. When you use something, you automatically pick out what has been stored for a long time.
It is ideal to have a supply in the house for ten days. But: “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. It’s better to store a little than nothing at all,” says Vera-Tatjana Gizewski. “If you don’t have a cellar or storage room, the only pragmatic solution is to go from ten to three days or to put as much into the cupboards as will fit.”
Calculate quantities online
What exactly should you store in terms of food? The BLE offers one online Inventory calculator – after entering the number of people and days, he compiles a list of foods and their quantities.
“These are of course just suggestions; you can vary them according to your own lifestyle and taste habits,” says Vera-Tatjana Gizewski. Also one Vegetarian supply table can be found on the website erfuttersorge.de
Mineral water and canned goods
In any case, you should have a supply of mineral water; the calculator calculates two liters per day per person. Any kind of canned food can also be stored for longer. In addition to fruit and vegetables, this also includes fish and sausage in cans or jars. The best products are those that can be eaten without warming them up.
Grain products include crispbread, rusks and oat flakes. Milk or cream cheese are also available as longer-lasting versions. “Eggs can also be stored for a certain period of time,” says Gizewski. You can also keep margarine or cooking oil in stock for some time.
date: 2026-02-09 07:13:00