Scavenging for supplies

[bacpacker]

AK that is an awesome thought. Your right about all the parts and I had totally forgot about fuel tanks.

[Taz Baby]

I,m sure have thought about the gas staions and convience stores. But I am talking about their condiments, like for when you get a hot dog from cirkle K. The packs of mayo, mustard, onion, ketsup, relish, napkins. The stuff under the counter for the snack area. That's where they keep napkins, coffee, creamers, things like that

[Sniper-T]

I have jars full of condiments. I don't eat fast food, but do frequent the quickee mart. every time I do, I grab a handful of something. add it to the jar. when the ketchup jar gets full, I squeeze it all out onto my dehydrator trays, and dry it, and then grind it,into a powder... add a little water, and instant ketchup. same with mustard, hotsauces, etc.

salt and pepper get vacu sealed into bags.

I'm not sure, other than freezing, what I can do with coffee creamers (flavoured and not)

napkins, etc just get "stuffed into ziplocks" for camping/hunting trips


Another though, That I do not recal if mentioned, is construction sites. roads/bridges/etc. ALL kinds of supplies

[carly]

Businesses and factories were mentioned for their break rooms and canteens. Don't forget about the businesses that stock these. We have four such companies nearby. They stock items on a contract basis which prohibits food and beverages from outside companies. Two companies use vending machines only. They have on hand sodas, water, juices, teas, milk, coffee, candy,and prepackaged microwave foods. They deliver daily, sometimes twice daily to restock. Two of the companies make fresh sandwiches, salads, and the like to sell along with the vended items. All of these companies also provide the paper products and condiments used in the break rooms. There are all kinds of goodies on their trucks and in their facilities

[2die4]

How about distribution centers that supply the mega chains like Wal-mart and Target? They are usually off on the far side of town in the industrial districts. The likely hood of these being picked cleaned would be slim. It would be a one stop shop. My resupply plans include out of the way places like these.

[mitunnelrat]

re: the food warehouses. These are going to be just like the supermarkets, imo. They're too well known to be of any benefit, with the risks far too great. There are arguments all across the 'net on this subject, and the overwhelming consensus is to avoid them. Just advancing some food for thought there.

Here was my response from that early in the thread, 2. Its a good idea, but they're definitely not forgotten or ignored.

[2die4]

Didn't see your post for some reason. It doesn't have to be a Walmart distro center. I'd be scouting out the dollar store distros. Restaurant distros like Cisco maybe be a safer option if you were after food.

Enough food stocked and renewable resources would keep me from scrounging for food but I do believe I'd be out for medical items and other necessities that I couldn't grow or create . A dollar store distro center would fulfill those needs.

[Xzaniel]

Let's face it. Preps WILL run out eventually and you cant possible put enough supplies back for every contingency...

The obvious places (like supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, and corner stores) will be picked over fairly well.

List some places that you can think of that are not so obvious for essential supplies. Also list what could be found to ensure your survival.

Izzy initiates the thread with "preps WILL run out" so in this SHTF scenario the time frame is long term and infra structure is not restored and the 'obvious places' are picked over.

I believe auto marts will be made into compounds by this time and will need to be assaulted for the salvageable items.

Malls (strip malls or covered malls) will be dangerous but that's where I'd go.

I'd seek out the craft stores, you have bags of marbles (sling ammo). Decorative bamboo (weapons and building). Glass & tin canisters, baskets, reams of fabric (canvases too) string, yarn & hemp, Thin wires (snares) glues all types (super glues, epoxies & hot melts) Xacto-knives and craft hammers and pliers.

Then head to the pet store. Animals are gone or dead, dog food and cat food gone... Fish flakes! All it is, is dried pulverized fish, hamster food, bird food all would be edible but could use to bait traps or lure fish. The meal worms would be beetles by now load up on them (they'd still be in the container) and get a Rubbermaid tote and breed the beetles to get more worms (never ending supply [also you could start now to raise cockroaches and crickets]) don't forget the activated charcoal and filters!

That's my 2 cents worth.

[ladyhk13]

Izzy initiates the thread with "preps WILL run out" so in this SHTF scenario the time frame is long term and infra structure is not restored and the 'obvious places' are picked over.

I believe auto marts will be made into compounds by this time and will need to be assaulted for the salvageable items.

Malls (strip malls or covered malls) will be dangerous but that's where I'd go.

I'd seek out the craft stores, you have bags of marbles (sling ammo). Decorative bamboo (weapons and building). Glass & tin canisters, baskets, reams of fabric (canvases too) string, yarn & hemp, Thin wires (snares) glues all types (super glues, epoxies & hot melts) Xacto-knives and craft hammers and pliers.

Then head to the pet store. Animals are gone or dead, dog food and cat food gone... Fish flakes! All it is, is dried pulverized fish, hamster food, bird food all would be edible but could use to bait traps or lure fish. The meal worms would be beetles by now load up on them (they'd still be in the container) and get a Rubbermaid tote and breed the beetles to get more worms (never ending supply [also you could start now to raise cockroaches and crickets]) don't forget the activated charcoal and filters!

That's my 2 cents worth.

I like your idea about pet stores and the hobby stores. That is thinking outside of the box and your items that can be used from those places are excellent. Great post.

[Katrina]

I would think Goodwill, Salvation Army stores and resale shops would be a good place to pick up clothing and other small items in a SHTF long term situation and I don't know if anyone would think of places like that. Also if you are near a college or university you could go and look in the kitchens, the heating plant, water treatment plants or the dorms for that matter. They would also have ground keepers areas for fertilizer, batteries, etc for the maintenance of the campus.