What If the Grocery Stores Closed Tomorrow?

A Practical Guide to Being Ready for Anything

If the grocery stores closed tomorrow, how long could your family comfortably eat, drink, and function? It’s a question many people brush off—until a crisis hits and shelves go bare overnight. At Ready & Prepped, we believe the best time to prepare is before you need to. That starts with understanding what could actually disrupt food access and what you can do today to keep your household secure.

Grocery Stores Don’t Have to “Close” to Become Empty

When we imagine food shortages, we often picture locked doors and dark buildings. But in reality, the more common scenario is this:

The store is open. The shelves are not.

Here are real-world situations where this has happened and can happen again:

1. Supply Chain Breakdowns

A fuel shortage, trucking strike, railway shutdown, or port closure can interrupt deliveries. Stores might be physically open but unable to restock even basic items.

Think 2020 toilet paper—but across all food groups.

2. Natural Disasters

Earthquakes, floods, blizzards, and wildfires can damage roads, disrupt transportation, or panic communities into buying everything in sight within hours.

Stores remain open but the shelves are stripped bare.

3. Cyberattacks

A major cyberattack on payment systems, freight logistics, or food processing operations could stall the entire supply chain.

Even if the lights are on, the products might not be coming.

4. Power Grid Failures

If a local power outage affects refrigeration or payment systems, stores may limit operations—or only sell non-perishables until power is restored.

Meanwhile, everyone rushes to buy the same limited items.

5. Pandemics or Quarantines

We’ve seen it: staffing shortages, panic buying, and slowed production lead to rolling empty shelf sections.

6. Economic Collapse or Hyperinflation

Stores might stay open, but prices skyrocket and goods sell out instantly because resupply is unpredictable.

7. Civil Unrest or Transportation Interruptions

Riots, protests, or regional upheaval can temporarily shut down distribution centers or make drivers unwilling to enter certain areas.

The store may technically be “open,” but the aisles tell a different story.

 

If the Stores Closed Tomorrow… What Would You Wish You Had Today?

This is the question that turns panic into purpose.

Let’s walk through the essentials your household should have before shelves go empty.

 

1. Food: At Least 30 Days, Ideally 90+

Start with shelf-stable items your family will actually eat:

• Rice, pasta, oats
• Beans (dry or canned)
• Shelf-stable proteins (canned chicken, tuna, peanut butter)
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Baking basics (flour, yeast, oil, sugar, salt)
• Ready-to-eat meals (soups, chili, freeze-dried entrees)

Pro Tip:

Focus on meals you can make with limited ingredients—think soups, skillets, and simple casseroles. Rotate what you have so nothing goes to waste -- First in is the first out.

Check out this article to learn more about food storage.

 

2. Water: The Most Overlooked Necessity

If taps run dry or stores close, you need:

• 1 gallon per person per day for 2 weeks (minimum). The more the better.
• Extra water for pets, cooking, and cleaning
• A reliable filtration or purification method

If you can't store more water, store multiple ways to make water safe.

Check out this article to learn more about water preparation.

3. Cooking Without Power

Plan at least two backup ways to cook:

• Propane stove
• Butane stove
• Rocket stove
• Charcoal grill
• Solar oven

And always store extra fuel—not just the appliance.

Check out this article to learn more about cooking without power.

 

4. Household Staples That Disappear First

When shelves begin to empty, these vanish within hours:

• Toilet paper
• Baby supplies
• Medications
• Laundry and dish soap
• Trash bags
• Batteries
• Pet food
• Hygiene products

Have at least a 2–3 month supply of anything your family uses daily.

 

5. Cash on Hand

If systems go down, cards might not work—even if the store is technically open.

Check out this article to learn about how much cash to have on hand.

 

6. A Plan for Perishables

If the power goes out:

• Eat fridge items first
• Keep freezers closed—food stays frozen 24–48 hours
• Use coolers, ice packs, or outdoor cold weather (if applicable)
• Know how to can, dehydrate, or cook in batches to avoid waste

Skills matter just as much as supplies.

Check out this article to learn about preserving food at home.

 

7. Medication and Medical Needs

Have at least:

• 30–90 days of prescriptions (if possible)
• Over-the-counter meds
• First aid kit
• Spare glasses or contacts
• Essential medical equipment supplies

Check out this article to learn about storing medicine for emergencies and where to get antibiotics.

Check out this article to learn about first aid and medical essentials.

 

8. Comfort & Morale Matter More Than You Think

If stores closed tomorrow, your family would also appreciate:

• Snacks
• Chocolate
• Spices and flavorings
• Games, books, and puzzles
• Craft supplies for kids
• Warm blankets
• Hot chocolate and tea

Preparedness isn’t just survival—it’s stability.

 

A Simple 7-Day Challenge to Start Preparing Today

If this feels overwhelming, try this easy jumpstart:

• Day 1: Buy 7 extra canned goods
• Day 2: Buy 2 gallons of water
• Day 3: Get one backup cooking option
• Day 4: Stock up on one month of toiletries
• Day 5: Add shelf-stable proteins
• Day 6: Create a list of your family’s 20 favorite meals
• Day 7: Build one week of meals from your pantry

In one week, you’ve meaningfully increased your household security. 

 

Final Thought: Preparedness Isn’t Fear—It’s Freedom

If the grocery stores closed tomorrow, most households would panic.

But not you—not if you start preparing today.

Preparedness isn’t about stockpiling. It’s about resilience.

It’s about making sure your family will be safe, fed, and calm in uncertain times.

And that’s exactly what Ready & Prepped is here for. 

No fuss. No fluff. No fear. 

Other Articles of Interest 

How to Avoid Panic Buying and Build a Smart Emergency Stockpile

How to Start Prepping Without Feeling Overwhelmed

How to Financially Prepare for Emergencies Without Going Broke