What Do You Buy for a Snowstorm?

Prepping for winter’s last gasp.

If you live in the Northeast, surely you are aware that by the time you wake up tomorrow, there will be a lot of snow falling from the sky — up to 20 inches in New York, so the soothsayers of the National Weather Service. This is a lot of snow for winter that has seen very little; every snowfall this winter has melted shortly thereafter.

A few weeks ago, it was warm enough to leave the house in a sweatshirt. It’s been weird, is what I’m saying, but no matter, a snowstorm is coming and so here we are, with a question about rations.

The trifecta of snowstorm panic purchases is bread, milk and eggs — ingredients for comfort and also for French toast. Not a bad strategy and even though this list of foodstuffs is somehow ingrained in the American consciousness as The Things You Buy In Case of Weather, I’m wondering what else there is.

What We Buy Before A Storm At Regular Grocery Stores — And At Trader Joe’s

Before Hurricane Sandy hit a few years back, I remember standing on line with scores of people clutching bags of organic spinach and pre-washed salad greens, preparing for a hunkered-down existence of salads with a simple vinaigrette or maybe just lots of smoothies. Food for Big Weather feels like it should be hearty and carb-y and bad for you, a little, but maybe some people like to use a snowbound day and the time allowed by weather to try ambitious salad dressings or to perfect their julienne technique.

(It should go without saying, but if it is snowy and horrid outside, don’t order delivery! I mean, do what you want, and live your life, and if you DO order delivery, tip the person very well. Thank you.)

A quick survey of coworkers and friends revealed grocery lists that hewed more closely to what I’d expected: Pop Tarts; coffee; wine. I went grocery shopping yesterday after two weeks of not having done so and bought some apples, some mozzarella, bread, peanut butter and the ingredients to make saag paneer. I also bought some weed. Nothing in my grocery list, or anyone else’s, for that matter deviated from what they’d normally buy — no one was rushing to fill their carts with eggs and milk when they’re vegan— but maybe the impending storm is nice because it forces you to go to the grocery with a renewed sense of purpose.

What do you buy when there’s Bad Weather ahead?

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