maybe stocking up to carry a family thru the loss of employment with more than hand outs from a food bank is not a bad idea but i smell that Y2K panic buying here arranged by people with stuff to sell that people don't really need unless they live in earthquake or storm zones..what i read was lots of numbers.$1000-$4000 and not what the preppers would really do if a worse case played out.
having said that maybe its because i live someplace where things are not so bad that i don't appreciate the sense of panic in other parts of the country..