Why Do People Buy Bread and Milk Before a Storm Hits?

Rain, sleet or snow, there's milk in the refrigerator and bread in the basket. This may sound a bit like the delivery mantra of the U.S. mail service, but it's actually the tactic most Americans employ during severe weather. And this behavior offers clues as to the motivations driving them.

The compulsive desire to stockpile perishables isn't always based on logical behavior. "The thought to get milk before a storm is followed by the action or compulsion to go out and stockpile it. In one way or another, we spend a lot of time and energy trying to feel in control, and buying things you might throw out still gives the person a sense of control in an uncontrollable situation," said Lisa Brateman, a New York City-based psychotherapist we spoke with in 2012.

In contrast, filling your cart with cans of beans and tuna -- or any selection of non-perishables -- sends the message that you expect the storm to keep you homebound for an extended period. Although practical, non-perishables are a psychological admission that you've surrendered to waiting out the storm and its aftermath; perishables are about optimism.

"Buying perishables is like saying, 'the storm will be over soon and I won't be stuck in this situation for long,'" said Judy Rosenberg, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles, with whom we spoke in 2012.

The internal motivation for filling the refrigerator with perishable items may have another root as well. "We are all in the habit of buying perishables like milk and eggs," Rosenberg said, adding that few people easily change their routine, even though it no longer makes logical sense to follow the same course of action. "We all like the feeling of normal routine. Buying perishables and doing the 'normal routine' makes us feel safe and comfortable, even though circumstances are dangerous."

There's also the possibility that we hope to help others with our stockpile. These altruistic tendencies may cause us to have excess on hand, just in case others need it. "If we have plenty on hand and others didn't have time to shop, at least we can offer them food while they weather the storm," Rosenberg said.

So instead of buying bread and milk, what should we be doing?

"People always clear the shelves of milk, eggs and bread," Paul Shipman, a spokesman for the American Red Cross's Connecticut chapter told the Hartford Courant in 2012. "Well, the milk doesn't do well without refrigeration, eggs are useless if you can't cook them and the bread is not going to provide much nutrition on its own. You need non-perishable food, water and other necessities to be safe."

Along with buying bottled water, it's a good idea to assemble a non-perishable food emergency kit. Try peanut butter and crackers, for starters. Peanut butter is high in protein and good-for-you fats, and doesn't need refrigeration after you crack it open. Crackers, particularly the whole wheat variety, have a long shelf-life and will give you a fiber boost.

Buy multiples of canned meats, such as chicken, tuna or salmon, and canned vegetables and soups, all of which can last a couple of years. Make sure you have a manual, not electric, can opener stored with them.

You'll also want to keep snacks on hand, like nuts and trail mixes. Calorie for calorie, they pack a big nutritional punch, as do dried fruits, which are high in vitamins and fiber. Add a few granola bars to the mix because they can give an energy boost. You could also keep powdered milk instead of fresh milk on hand; the powdered variety still offers calcium and vitamin D, but lasts much longer [source: Cartwright].

If you do stock up on perishables, be smart about it. Some fruits, like apples, can last up to three months. Others, like oranges and grapefruits, can last for a couple of weeks. Even less hardy treats, like avocados or tomatoes, can last for at least a week if you purchase them before they ripen [source: DiMaggio].