Discontinued safe food

I have started trying to become more aware of potential future single points of failure (that "1 thing" which as "Plan A" ...I have started to become a bit dependent upon as a central part of my "go to" routine for some central aspect of selfcare). 

Once identified; I start to think about: how to research / create a backup plan / source potential alternate acceptable options (develop "Plan B" and, if possible "Plan C" options) to help manage unexpected changes / reduce the pressure of encountering an immediate decision-making requirement / have a backup in store at home / know where I might be able to shop for the Plan B / C items - should the need arise.

I have some medical-based restrictions which impacts things such as: food / toiletries / medication / beauty products / household cleaning and laundry products - so I do try to keep a note of the three options per regularly used item (which can then make it easier to switch over to Plan B / C - without too much thought required - if my preferred Plan A item is out of stock / discontinued).

This is particularly important to me around (key to me) things like my preferred: toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, hand cream, laundry powder, washing up liquid, coffee, cup soup, cocoa powder, milk powder, small tetra packs of apple juice, rough oatcakes, vitamin D supplement tablets of the correct daily strength the GP Practice advised for me, breakfast foods and the short list of foods which I can still sometimes face trying to eat (even when I am too exhausted / upset / ill to have a normal appetite). 

I am also particular about which commercial wholemeal bread I prefer - therefore, in the freezer, I keep an emergency commercial loaf, an emergency homemade loaf, and emergency packets of unsalted butter (unsalted butter storage time in a freezer is up to 6 to 9 months, if you need to store butter in the freezer for longer than that: you can store salted butter in the freezer for up to 12 months).

With key items like these; I try to prioritise budget towards keeping a deeper backup inventory of these items at home. 

I also (year round) keep a basic large rucksack "Go Bag A)" in the boot of my car: (1 litre tritan bottle of tap water from home, just the essentials - toiletries & hand sanitizer wipe sachets & mini first aid kit & a wash mitt, a roll of toilet tissue, a bath towel, a change of clothes, a pyjamas set, a keep-warm set (summer beanie hat, gloves, scarf), a sun hat, a hi-viz waistcoat, a wind up torch, a pair of foam ear defenders, a paperback book, a rain poncho, indoor shoes / slippers, a pair of galoshes). 

During winter months (in case of getting stuck somewhere for some hours / maybe have to unexpectedly stay overnight somewhere): I add a further 2 bags.

Winter Warmth Large Go Bag B): a sleeping bag and liner in a dry bag, an army blanket in a dry bag, a dry bag with a pair of knee length winter socks, a winter neck gaiter, a winter beanie hat, a pair of winter mitts, plus, a foam camp bed roll.

Winter Camp Kitchen Large Go Bag C), a large empty stainless steel drinks thermos flask, an empty wide neck stainless steel food flask, a travel kettle & 2 small mugs, a cutlery knife / fork / spoon set, a plate, a bowl, a large plastic soup mug with a clip lock lid, plus, a large clip lock "Camping Larder" storage box containing: a kitchen roll, a tea towel, a blue thin multi-purpose cloth, a small bottle of multi-purpose liquid soap (Lifeventure All Purpose Soap - travel soap - a concentrated formula which lathers well in both fresh and brackish water and which can be used on hair, body, washing up pots and dishes, fabrics and even fresh food.  An antibacterial, pH-balanced and biodegradable soap were only a small quantity goes a long way.), a vegetable peeler, a crinkle cut vegetable slicer, a pair of kitchen scissors, a can opener, 2 pots of instant porridge (add boiling water), 4 coffee drink sachets, 2 hot chocolate drink sachets, 2 cup soup sachets, 2 noodle meal sachets, 3 tins of savoury foods, 3 tins of dessert foods, a small clip lock box of rough oatcakes, a small clip lock box of sweet biscuits, 2 small tetra packs of apple juice.

If a journey is necessary in extreme weather (snowfall forecast / a longer journey) there are additional items added to cater for the conditions.

I have started trying to become more aware of potential future single points of failure (that "1 thing" which as "Plan A" ...I have started to become a bit dependent upon as a central part of my "go to" routine for some central aspect of selfcare). 

Once identified; I start to think about: how to research / create a backup plan / source potential alternate acceptable options (develop "Plan B" and, if possible "Plan C" options) to help manage unexpected changes / reduce the pressure of encountering an immediate decision-making requirement / have a backup in store at home / know where I might be able to shop for the Plan B / C items - should the need arise.

I have some medical-based restrictions which impacts things such as: food / toiletries / medication / beauty products / household cleaning and laundry products - so I do try to keep a note of the three options per regularly used item (which can then make it easier to switch over to Plan B / C - without too much thought required - if my preferred Plan A item is out of stock / discontinued).

This is particularly important to me around (key to me) things like my preferred: toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, hand cream, laundry powder, washing up liquid, coffee, cup soup, cocoa powder, milk powder, small tetra packs of apple juice, rough oatcakes, vitamin D supplement tablets of the correct daily strength the GP Practice advised for me, breakfast foods and the short list of foods which I can still sometimes face trying to eat (even when I am too exhausted / upset / ill to have a normal appetite). 

I am also particular about which commercial wholemeal bread I prefer - therefore, in the freezer, I keep an emergency commercial loaf, an emergency homemade loaf, and emergency packets of unsalted butter (unsalted butter storage time in a freezer is up to 6 to 9 months, if you need to store butter in the freezer for longer than that: you can store salted butter in the freezer for up to 12 months).

With key items like these; I try to prioritise budget towards keeping a deeper backup inventory of these items at home. 

I also (year round) keep a basic large rucksack "Go Bag A)" in the boot of my car: (1 litre tritan bottle of tap water from home, just the essentials - toiletries & hand sanitizer wipe sachets & mini first aid kit & a wash mitt, a roll of toilet tissue, a bath towel, a change of clothes, a pyjamas set, a keep-warm set (summer beanie hat, gloves, scarf), a sun hat, a hi-viz waistcoat, a wind up torch, a pair of foam ear defenders, a paperback book, a rain poncho, indoor shoes / slippers, a pair of galoshes). 

During winter months (in case of getting stuck somewhere for some hours / maybe have to unexpectedly stay overnight somewhere): I add a further 2 bags.

Winter Warmth Large Go Bag B): a sleeping bag and liner in a dry bag, an army blanket in a dry bag, a dry bag with a pair of knee length winter socks, a winter neck gaiter, a winter beanie hat, a pair of winter mitts, plus, a foam camp bed roll.

Winter Camp Kitchen Large Go Bag C), a large empty stainless steel drinks thermos flask, an empty wide neck stainless steel food flask, a travel kettle & 2 small mugs, a cutlery knife / fork / spoon set, a plate, a bowl, a large plastic soup mug with a clip lock lid, plus, a large clip lock "Camping Larder" storage box containing: a kitchen roll, a tea towel, a blue thin multi-purpose cloth, a small bottle of multi-purpose liquid soap (Lifeventure All Purpose Soap - travel soap - a concentrated formula which lathers well in both fresh and brackish water and which can be used on hair, body, washing up pots and dishes, fabrics and even fresh food.  An antibacterial, pH-balanced and biodegradable soap were only a small quantity goes a long way.), a vegetable peeler, a crinkle cut vegetable slicer, a pair of kitchen scissors, a can opener, 2 pots of instant porridge (add boiling water), 4 coffee drink sachets, 2 hot chocolate drink sachets, 2 cup soup sachets, 2 noodle meal sachets, 3 tins of savoury foods, 3 tins of dessert foods, a small clip lock box of rough oatcakes, a small clip lock box of sweet biscuits, 2 small tetra packs of apple juice.

If a journey is necessary in extreme weather (snowfall forecast / a longer journey) there are additional items added to cater for the conditions.

That sounds really helpful, thank you for the reply!!! Unfortunately I always procrastinate doing things like that (finding and making note of things I use and their alternatives) but I will definitely try to do this when I can!