Welcome to ETS, BBQ. (by the way, I lived in Hood River for several years)

You make excellent points about applauding the increased availability of such supplies - prepared people free up resources for others when/if there is a crisis.

I hope preparedness is catching on in the Pacific Northwest, where the a massive earthquake along Cascadia Subduction Zone could cause unimaginable destruction and disruption.

I'm a big fan of Costco and don't see this emergency food supply any more gimmicky than that humongous "All-American" chocolate cake they sell at a great price.