December 1, 1999

Contact: Ellen Gordon Iowa Emergency Management Division Hoover State Office Building Des Moines, Iowa 50319 (515) 281-3231

Des Moines, Iowa  The following is next in a series of press releases to inform the public of Iowa state government readiness and consumer information as it relates to any possible Y2K issues on food and commodities.

The Y2K transition is not expected to cause widespread or severe disruptions in the food supply. Most large grocery chains typically have several weeks of inventory reserve of basic non-perishable foodstuffs in case of delivery problems caused by such things as a severe weather storm. These stocks provide a supply cushion in times of unusual demand surges. The cash registers, scanners, credit card readers, and check verifiers should be working as usual, if there are no disruptions to the electrical supply.

The Grocery Manufacturers of America, which represents food and beverage product companies, have reported that almost 90 percent of its members have completed Year 2000 preparations and 97 percent have contingency plans in place.

The Iowa Department of Human Services has an agreement with the US Department of Agriculture to store, deliver, and distribute commodities. These commodities are available to food banks and their network of food pantries, soup kitchens, hunger relief centers or other food or feeding centers that provide meals or food to needy persons on a regular basis. In order to ensure that such commodities are available to the above entities in the event of a Y2K date change event, provisions are being made to provide all food banks and congregate meal sites with a two-month supply of commodities during the month of December. This will ensure that in the event of an emergency that services will not be disrupted to these entities. The Department of Human Services has also worked with the 8 food banks located throughout Iowa to develop contingency plans to be activated in the event of an emergency.

Please visit the Iowa Emergency Management Divisions web page at: www.state.ia.us/emergencymanagement/y2k.htm for preparedness information.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), December 04, 1999

Answers

Well Y2K Dave,

At least they acknowledge Y2K. I live in a county with a population of 500,000 and when I met with the MANAGER! he basically said Y2K is a non-issue and it will be business as usual. Their webpage doesn't even acknowledge that Y2K even exists!

-- the Virginian (1@1.com), December 04, 1999.

So, now food stores have ample reserves of food? How and why? Normally, a good snowstorm causes the shelves to get EMPTIED in New England. Maybe Iowa is different, huh, folks? Yup, way, way different.

How and why? Those are the questions for the poster of this RUBBISH. How (like where, refrigeration included) do they store all that *extra* food, and why would they store so much *extra* food?

There's only one thing worse than a rubbish story: The gullible mind that devours it.

-- paul leblanc (bronyaur@gis.net), December 04, 1999.

I'm moving to Iowa...

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@Tminus27&counting.down), December 04, 1999.

y2k dave: First thanks for posting the Iowa news. You have been much more diligent than I lately in following Iowa and posting it when it occurs. My own attention has been focused on work, family and final preps so your efforts here are much appreciated.

If Y2K's effects are mild, chiefly economic, and not prolonged, then the above article is probably close to correct. Unfortunately, the current system of safety nets here in Iowa is based on current need. There has been little to no planning or preparation for any significant increase in need. Should the state severely miscalculate the level of assistance required, these safety nets will quickly be overwhelmed.

Having lived in Iowa off and on for more than 30 years, I can tell you that life here has changed significantly during this time period. A few decades ago, even people in town made a serious effort to have their pantries stocked for winter. Lots of people grew gardens and canned their own food. In our rural communities, people were even more diligent about being prepared to 'go it alone' and help other neighbors during tough times. No one here was labeled a 'doomer' for being prepared. They were simply being self-dependent.

But Iowa today is like most other communities in the US. The pace of life is much faster. The level of self-dependency is much lower. The rural communties are much more 'modernized' and just-in-time everything fills our shelves.

In addition, winters in Iowa have been relatively mild for several years now. Take today (Dec 4) for example. The first unusual thing you'll notice is that water remains a liquid outdoors. The temps here are 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. But the weather here can turn very dangerous very quickly. Strong winds, sub-zero (F) temperatures, and blizzard conditions can quickly overcome those who are not prepared.

We shall see. Thanks again for your efforts here on the forum.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), December 04, 1999.

well, at least i know that i'm not the only iowan with a clue! keep in touch all us iowans and remember Stereolab is playing in Iowa City wed. the 8th of Dec!!!!! only $12!!!!!!at the union see them now before rollover kills us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE THIS FORUM!

-- thekid (frorider76@hotmail.com), December 04, 1999.

well, at least i know that i'm not the only iowan with a clue! keep in touch all us iowans and remember Stereolab is playing in Iowa City wed. the 8th of Dec!!!!! only $12!!!!!!at the union see them now before rollover kills us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE THIS FORUM!!

-- thekid (frorider76@hotmail.com), December 04, 1999.

I'm joining uncle Bob's wagon train to Iowa! Who's next?!

That kicks ass, if they can pull it off.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 04, 1999.

UncleBob-Hokie,

Plenty of room at the inn. >http://www.guard.state.ia.us/starc.html

Have a nice trip.

Ps: Don't go.

-- maid upname (Noid@ihope.com), December 05, 1999.