Reminds me of Laura Wilder's "Long Cold Winter" Everyone was
slowly starving, some quicker than others. In the end, sticking
together and risking for others, saved them all. There also was a
lot of bartering etc.
One of the things that kept the peace was the promise of the end
of the winter, and those that gouged others during desperate
times would then lose any business when times were better.

If you think that you would be willing to shoot someone who
would take your kid's food, be sure someone would be willing
shoot you to get it for their kids. It would be pretty tough
to be under siege from the neighbors.

A strong community is the best chance of surviving.