Why do people buy milk and bread is snow is predicted?

[GinnyEmma]

If there's a chance we're going to snowed in, I make sure to buy wine

Lol, now that we have stocked! We love to cook with a glass of wine in hand when dh is snowed in with us.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Yes, but really when was the last time that "any thing" was closed for more than 2 days. Seriously? Last year when we had those 30 inches in one night, the next day, the pennsylvania ballet was open for the nutcracker.

The times when stuff was closed for 4-5 days are long gone.

I'd think that would depend. Atlanta was bragging about having 30 snow thingies. That is less than our county. I figure that if Ut gives even a false sense of security it is a cheap and easy way to get it.

Eta: we have only 4 inches in the forecast, but I have no intention of driving down my hill for the next 3 or 4 days. Have eggs, need bread and just decided to make a big pot of veggie soup. So a bunch of veggies need to be purchased. . And I have a recipe for pumpkin whoopee pies. Can't wait! Mexican chocolate soufflé too. Hmmmm, maybe I will buy more eggs! Anthony to take my mind offnof this dentist ofc.where I am sitting.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I haven't read all the replies, but this thread cracks me up. It happens around here too. A little bit of snow is predicted and people who never buy bread or milk normally rush to the store to pick some up. My mom even will call and ask "There's a bad snow storm coming. Are you stocked up on milk?" Seriously? We can survive a couple days without milk and even when we had a record snowfall of 2 feet in a day a few years ago, we were able to get out on the roads the next day. I have enough food in my house we'd survive for a month if I went through all the canned and packaged stuff.

If the storm is set to hit on Friday or Saturday, I might head to the store since my normal shopping day is Saturday. Not because I can't survive a day or two without specific items, but more because if I'm going to hole up in my house for a day or two, I want to make sure I have some yummy stuff to eat.

 

[abcboys]

Because people like to make french toast when it is snowing outside

 

[tonilea]

I haven't read all the replies, but I need milk. I have a cooler, if the power goes out.... Bread, OTH, I can make. I don't have a cow, so I have to buy milk.

 

[Kycha]

Yes, but really when was the last time that "any thing" was closed for more than 2 days. Seriously? Last year when we had those 30 inches in one night, the next day, the pennsylvania ballet was open for the nutcracker.

The times when stuff was closed for 4-5 days are long gone.

Sure the PA ballet was open. They are in the city. You could walk there or take public transit. You go outside the city to a more rural area and forget about it. I lived in Lancaster Co for 40 years. When a major storm hits, there are some areas that don't see a snow plow for days. And now that I'm here in Kentucky, I have a new appreciation for the road crews that I used to complain about in PA. We have been getting snow here since Dec 3. The schools have been closed for 10 days already this winter. We are in a very rural area that is also very hilly. A lot of the roads around here are one lane and there are many that are just dirt or gravel(including the road I live on). The nearest convenience store is 8 miles away. The nearest grocery store is 20 miles away. They had a major ice storm here in 2009(before I got here) and pretty much the whole state was shut down for a week. So, yeah, even in this day and age it can and will happen.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Yes, I normally go to the grocery store several times a week, and pick up things like bread, milk, fruits and vegetables. I'm sure I could survive a snowstorm without the perishables, but I don't want to. So I go to the store if I don't have them stocked. I don't get why it bothers people at all. Especially if you're fully stocked, you wouldn't even be at the grocery store, would you?

There's always going to be people who are prepared, and people who are not. I just don't want to hear it from the unprepared when the zombie apocalypse comes and they have nothing ready. You're on your own!

I also agree that it's different in the city than in rural areas. There's parts of my state that get two/three feet of snow frequently. Milk and bread are 2 things that are very versatile.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Yes, I normally go to the grocery store several times a week, and pick up things like bread, milk, fruits and vegetables. I'm sure I could survive a snowstorm without the perishables, but I don't want to. So I go to the store if I don't have them stocked. I don't get why it bothers people at all. Especially if you're fully stocked, you wouldn't even be at the grocery store, would you?

Nope I wouln't be at the grocery store. You couldn't pay me to set foot in when when they're calling for a storm. I, however always have enough food in my house that we could go for atleast 2 months. My Grandma grew up in the depression so she stressed always have a "stockpile" in the house & I listened well.

 

[herdtoDisney]

It must be some kind of weird ingrained thing-we are expecting a big snow tomorrow night, and my first thought was, I should run to Stop & Shop after work.

Now, why? I was just there Saturday! And, it's like less than two miles away-theoretically, I could walk if need be. I'm in a very populated area with many snowplows so it's not like we'll never see pavement again

But, it was my first thought.

A few years back, I was in a busy line at Walmart, the day before a predicted snowstorm, and was chatting with the sweet lady behind me. She had an accent and I asked where she was from-Mississippi, they had come here after Katrina. When I mentioned the storm, she looked panicky and said, so, do you think it will be a week or two before we can get out? I said, oh no, probably 12 or less hours! I guess if I had gone through Katrina, I'd be jumpy too.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

TRUST ME, it makes a lot of sense, but I would just do a huge order before a snowstorm to make sure I had everything i needed.

We had 38 inches of snowfall here in Jersey after Christmas, we are supposed to get more tomorrow night and the 38 inches has melted to maybe 8 inches, but the roads are still bad as the plows had nowhere to put the snow, so trying to get out of supermarket, crossing intersections, etc. is a little scary b/c the plows put like 40 inches of snow to the right and left sides ugh.

We couldn't leave the house for almost a week after the 38 inches b/c no one in the state was ready for this storm....and we needed toliet paper lol so stocking up makes sense!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Yes, but really when was the last time that "any thing" was closed for more than 2 days. Seriously? Last year when we had those 30 inches in one night, the next day, the pennsylvania ballet was open for the nutcracker.

The times when stuff was closed for 4-5 days are long gone.

Yes, but even though places may be open, I don't know that I will want to be venturing out. I'll be sitting at home trying out that creme brulee recipe I've been wanting to test or making a quick pb&j so I can get back to playing fort in the couch cushions.

***

I think there is a misconception here that everyone walking into the store the days before a storm has a crazed-looter look in his or her eyes. Sure, there are the whackadoodles who freak out at the mention of flurries and buy anything they can get their hands on, but I really think that it's just a traffic jam of grocery commerce.

For Example: If snow is predicted for Tuesday & Wednesday, many the people who usually make trips to the grocery store on those days (either for a full grocery shop or just to pick up perishables) get scrunched onto one day (Monday). The store has not stocked to meet that demand, so they run out of things. As another PP stated, milk/bread/eggs make up the core of a lot of weekly grocery lists, so it's no surprise that they would run out of those specific things.

Can't say I remember the last time I even thought about a strawberry pop-tart, so those sure wouldn't be on my list. I've seen a lot of mentions of wine and beer. Those wouldn't be on my list, but I make darned sure our bourbon supply is in good shape.

 

[Kycha]

I think there is a misconception here that everyone walking into the store the days before a storm has a crazed-looter look in his or her eyes. Sure, there are the whackadoodles who freak out at the mention of flurries and buy anything they can get their hands on, but I really think that it's just a traffic jam of grocery commerce.

This made me lol. My Mom is a total whackadoodle when you mention snow.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Maybe it is just that generation. Everything wasn't as accessible throughout their lives, and thus they plan ahead. There isn't anything wrong with that. I'm sure the current generation will have its quirks. Probably the assumption that everything is always available. Life is like that, things come full circle.

 

[tinker&belle]

We got snow last night. I usually go to the grocery store Sunday but wasn't able to.

The store was completely out of...wait for it...black beans!

I know they are in a lot of dishes but this suprised me. Maybe everyone is making soup and chili?

 

[NMW]

ummm-quite frankly if I'm going to be stuck in my house for days forget the milk and bread...I'm stocking up on wine and cheese!

That's funny, because alcohol is exactly what DH and I stock up on!

Last year when a fairly bad storm was predicted, a mom from my DD's school bumped into me in the grocery store. In my cart I had brie and 2 other cheeses, 4 bottles of tonic water, margarita mix, margarita salt, Roses lime juice, whiskey sour mix, and crackers. (I didn't know what we'd be in the mood for and I had already stocked up on wine) She looked in my cart and said "Umm...stocking up for the snow storm?" I just looked her right in the eye and said "Absolutely."

 

[eliza61]

That's funny, because alcohol is exactly what DH and I stock up on!

Last year when a fairly bad storm was predicted, a mom from my DD's school bumped into me in the grocery store. In my cart I had brie and 2 other cheeses, 4 bottles of tonic water, margarita mix, margarita salt, Roses lime juice, whiskey sour mix, and crackers. (I didn't know what we'd be in the mood for and I had already stocked up on wine) She looked in my cart and said "Umm...stocking up for the snow storm?" I just looked her right in the eye and said "Absolutely."

LOL!! us too. we have teens so no big need for tons of milk and my freezer is always pretty well stocked.

Like I said I guess I'm lucky. I've always lived in a large metropolitian city (Philly, New York) I guarantee you, the day after armageddon some one in NY will be open

 

[sydneysmom]

I've got a funny one to add.... we went shopping Saturday morning. We're in Mississippi and our news was calling for the same storm as the OP.

Okay, we're not "freak out at the weather" kind of people. So we did our normal food shop. I'm in the meat department trying to find bone in chicken on sale for $0.97 / lb from the flyer. I'm looking everywhere. Finally my DH finds someone and asks where it is...the guy said, "we sold out of chicken within an hour yesterday w/ folks preparing for the storm".

Seriously ? Chicken ? that would just NOT be my first "crisis" food!!
(oh and Hershey's syrup was also sold out. now THAT I can understand! )

 

[chellt]

I'm from the South and when a "winter storm" is predicted here, people go a little crazy... Not because of the snow - but the ice. About ten years ago an ice storm hit us and entire towns were without power for two weeks. Even though the ice melted after a couple of days, you still couldn't buy groceries, because the stores were without power and their supplies ruined! You couldn't drive to another town, because without power - gas pumps didn't work! And generators were only useful for a few days because again, no gas to be bought! Believe me, during that time, we ate and drank every last morsel of milk, eggs and bread we had the forsight to buy! And needed much more! And now we know to add another precaution to that list - fill your car with gas!!

So yes, when a storm is predicted here, people get a little nervous.

 

[ChickieToo]

Haven't read entire thread, but I think there are many reasons for going to the store before a storm. For instance:

I live in the northeast, and a storm with the potential of dumping 18 inches of snow is predicted to start after midnight tonight. This week the store I shop in is running their "can" sale where a lot of the staples I use are at a tremendous discount. Due to work, family and other commitments I needed to budget my time, so last week I designated Tuesday as my shopping day so I could get the canned goods I stock up on. Surprise! the snowstorm takes on a life of its own, and I know the crazies will be out, but if I want to hit the sale, I must go today because the snow is coming tonight, tomorrow may well be a no-go, and the sale ends tomorrow. While I'm there I also get some fun stuff to keep DD and a friend or two occupied: cookie dough, cake mix, some snacks. No one wants to be cooped up with a cranky kid.

With a storm like this, you just never know. I got my shopping done, and if I get two feet of snow and DD is out of school for two days and the roads get bad, or electricity goes out for extended periods, I'm covered. Had I gone to the store say on Friday, I wouldn't have gone today, but that is just the way my schedule worked out. Could I have done without everything I picked up today? Absolutely, but I had to get to that can sale!

 

[momof1princess]

ok, in keeping with the milk and bread theme, i offer y'all a picture that was featured on my local newscast last night. the teenage girl in the pic is in the HS marching band with my DD

http://mypictures.abc3340.com/MediaItemView.aspx?id=956270