When a major supply-chain disruption hits, most Americans watch the obvious things first: gasoline prices, shipping delays and empty shelves. But there is another problem—and it often takes much longer to show up. The real damage can be delayed. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has already disrupted energy, shipping and fertilizer markets. Even if transportation through the region returns to normal, the economic effects don't disappear overnight. Costs that hit farmers today can s

If you've spent money putting wheat, flour and other staples on the shelf, don't overlook one of the least expensive—and most useful—items in your food storage: yeast. A bag of wheat isn't much help if you can't turn it into bread. For anyone building a practical pantry, yeast deserves a place alongside flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and other basic cooking supplies. It's inexpensive, compact and easy to store. The trick is protecting it from the two things that can

There was a time when feeding a family didn't mean pushing a cart through the supermarket and tossing whatever looked good into it. People planned ahead. They planted gardens. They preserved food. They bought flour by the sack and meat by the side. Leftovers weren't garbage, and a dented can wasn't automatically a reason to pay twice as much for another one. You can still see many of those habits in Amish communities today. An Amish household may have a large family to feed,