Declare a shortage guarantee it gets worse

If there is one sure fire way to create a shortage it is to declare a shortage.

This time it is some fresh produce which is imported into the UK from countries like Spain. These countries have experienced unusually cold weather this winter and it has hit crops hard.

​But let's get real folks.

UK shops and supermarkets carry a huge range of groceries.

This woman can remember when there was little choice. There were a couple of brands of soap powder, tinned goods, minimal vegetable choice and the like.

We have become used however in the 21st century to being able to buy any product at any time of year and that includes salad and summer fruits like strawberries in winter.

But in 2017 if one item is unavailable there is bound to be a replacement on offer.

Once a shortage is announced though it snowballs rapidly as people stock pile; that may not be so easy thankfully this time.

The twitter image above shows the old jungle drums are working overtime to spread the news. In 2017 social media will add to shortage woes.

Rationing in supermarkets adds to panic buying.

Previous shortages

People who lived through the war years know all about proper food shortages and rationing.

This woman has experienced first hand at least three food shortages:

• ​potato
• bread
• sugar

The potato shortage probably would not be such a big deal these days. There are so many alternatives such as rice and pasta. When I experienced a potato shortage decades ago I refused to pay inflated prices for any that were available. I looked for other options and discovered a whole new range of replacement foods.

The bread shortage almost passed us by. We are hit and miss bread eaters sometimes consuming very little. We found we could get by and use crackers, rice cakes and crispbreads when necessary

The sugar shortage was great. I quit taking sugar on cereal and in tea and my taste buds were soon re-tuned. To this day I only take sugar in coffee and then prefer to opt for a sweetener.

And those three shortages were great for the hips!

But all three resulted in sky high supermarket prices that some people just paid.

Definition of a food shortage?

​"Food shortage may refer to: Famine, a general and persistent shortage of food. Economic shortage specific to food (not necessarily long term or leading to starvation, but not filling demand for speed, quantity, or type of edible goods)."

Don't be a sucker

You can opt to chase around to buy stocks available, you can pay inflated prices or you can simply adapt.

This woman knows what she will be doing!

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