From my understanding of the orginal posting for this question was "how do you deal with the mob mentality of rushing out to buy equipment/food that is needed."

The answer that I have has already been stated, Pre buy for almost every precivable disaster. Take the time to stock up on food and gear you may need. don't rush out adn buy it all at once. but rather buy it over six monthsl or a year. And for the love of all things good, do not try to buy anything when the mobs are trying to buy it.