Bulk buyers have shown off their fully-stocked fridges, freezers and stockpiled pantries as they prepare for coronavirus quarantine.
One Australian homeowner started a thread on Reddit, posting a photo of their fridge/freezer along with the caption: ‘Fully prepared for the coronas (90 plus meals).’
It wasn’t long before others on Facebook shared snaps of their own impressive stockpiles – many of which boasted multiple bottles of cleaning products, shower gels and shampoo and non-perishable food items.
One Australian homeowner started a thread on Reddit , posting a photo of their fridge/freezer along with the caption ‘fully prepared for the coronas (90 plus meals)’ (pictured)
It wasn’t long before others on Facebook shared snaps of their own impressive stockpiles – many of which boasted multiple bottles of cleaning products (pictured)
Many said that they have been working on their stockpiles for a matter of months or even years to get them to such impressive levels (pictured)
‘This stockpile has taken over 12 months to get to this,’ one woman posted – alongside images of her perfectly-organised cupboards and shelves.
Others shared images of their neatly organised pantries including peas, pasta sauces, pickles, Dorito’s, as well as hundreds of cleaning products for use in the shower and around the house.
When asked how she got started, one woman said she decided to take discounted items seriously five years ago after going through a period of time where she ‘couldn’t afford to feed the family’.
‘There have been lots of learning curves. I only ever buy half price or less for items to stockpile. I wouldn’t stockpile perishables unless you are positive you will use them,’ she said.
Most months she will only have to purchase additional meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy for her family, because otherwise they rely on the stockpile.
One woman showed how she had enough bathroom products to last her family for up to a year stored on her shelves (pictured)
One homeowner said she has pureed enough fresh tomatoes to last their family for an entire year (pictured)
One homeowner said she has pureed enough fresh tomatoes to last their family for an entire year.
‘The tomatoes were just skinned in hot water, pureed in a food processor, and then cooked down for a while to remove the air from pureeing them,’ she wrote.
‘Then, they were put in jars and processed using the Fowlers Vacola method to vacuum seal them. I’ll use them for sauce and casserole bases during the year now.’
One woman shared her nearly organised stockpile towards the beginning of the month, kickstarting the trend (pictured)
When it comes to stockpiling, a professor has said it pays to be ‘smart’ rather than ‘panic buy’ items, but that hasn’t stopped Australians from filling bins with non-perishable items (pictured)
The chef with 90 ready-prepared meals in his fridge and freezer said that while he isn’t in quarantine, he will be ready if he has to self-isolate.
‘I mainly just prepared so I don’t have to cook after work.
‘I am a chef, so erratic hours, not too keen on cooking after big days. Also if I do get quarantined I am set for the duration.’
Others stocked up on bottled water and soft drinks to keep their homes well-equipped with food and drink (pictured)
When it comes to stockpiling, a professor has said it pays to be ‘smart’ rather than ‘panic buy’.
‘We can get in a bit of stock, foods, dried foods, dried fruits, some medicines – if you have any prescriptions it’s good to get those filled now,’ Professor Ian Mackay, an infectious disease specialist from the University of Queensland, told the ABC.
‘Just ahead of time, in case there are any disruptions to shelf stock or shelf supply – things like truck drivers getting sick.’
Meanwhile, the US Department of Homeland Security has advised US citizens to keep a two-week supply of food and water, a 30-day supply of prescription medication, and convert and store all family health records electronically.