We all know the panic-mongers are predicting a global meltdown come January 1st, 2000. Even a local financial institution had an insert in their last mailing that suggested it would be wise to stock up on some groceries, gas and withdraw some cash. Truth is, no one really knows what will happen. Indulge me in a few Òwhat ifs.Ó What if power was cut-off and we had no refrigeration. How long before all the grocery shelves would be emptied and our freezer stores spoiled? Three days? What if water supplies became inaccessible? How much would food prices soar? What if ferry service downgraded to essential services? What would you do? These few questions are just the tip of the Y2K iceberg, we need to think about. Y2K has become a dirty word we donÕt want to hear.

This issue has made me think about the worst case scenario and what could I grow and do, if society were plunged into the dark ages as our systems became unplugged. I blew the dust off the U.S. Dept. of AgricultureÕs Handbook #8, Composition of Foods and did some research into what foods give you the most bang for your buck. That is, what are the most nutritionally packed and easy to grow foods for our area? By nutrition, I mean the overall highest calorie, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, Vit.A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and Vit.C content. The winners are: potatoes, cabbage, buckwheat, beans for shelling (kidney, pinto, black, hyacinth, cowpeas, soy, etc.), peas, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, all types of winter squash, carrots, tomatoes, and blackberries. Corn did not make the list but has its usefulness if you know how to grind it into flour.

Without refrigeration you would have to depend on canning, juicing and dehydrating. Top juices to can, are apple and tomato. Top fruits to dehydrate are apples, apricots, strawberries, pear and prune plums. All manner of leafy greens like chard, parsley and spinach can be dehydrated and cabbage can be made into kraut. A winter garden could provide fresh collards, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, onion greens, garlic, herbs and Jerusalem artichokes. Let plants like lettuce and broccoli go to seed for fresh sprouts. Save herbs for teas.

Other winning items to stock-up on, are oatmeal, lentils, sesame seeds, sardines, rice (a must companion for all those beans), figs, raisins and molasses. Oysters are winners too. A milk goat and chickens are fairly easy to keep for those with facilities. For an eight month supply that would cover October through April, count per person, 50 lbs of potatoes, 25 lbs of beans, 20 llbs of carrots, etc. You can easily calculate how much you would need. The average sized garden could easily grow these amounts. Fancy pants items like pickles and jams wonÕt cut it. The time to think about it, is now, not next fall! These garden gifts might be tomorrows survival care-package. Whether you grow it yourself or buy from the markets, itÕs food for thought.

The Texada Botanical Society will resume itÕs meetings on the third Friday of every month, starting in February 1999. Happy New Year!

by A. Martinson