I noticed one story during the Sandy Not So Super Storm reporting. A couple of neighbors were cooking up soup on a propane burner. They were feeding a couple of streets from that one little setup, so somebody was prepared and was thinking. The bad part, the NYC health department came in and closed them down for not having the proper permits and licenses. The good part, they moved the operation into their back yard and made it an invitation only block party the next day. On a side note, I have spent the better part of the last year actually testing out our preparations. I have a stock of propane, gasoline and tested generator, sun oven that was used to cook a wide variety of foods and actual preparation and eating of stored foods. Especially interesting and creative was the preparation of various rice, beans, re-hydrated meats and vegetables, canned meats and vegetable meals (it could get real boring with only rice or beans for meals day after day). In addition, we experimented with various types of vegetables grown in our garden with water captured from the gutters into holding tanks. Since we are in Texas, we also experimented with getting two crops during the long growing season and canning. Will be doing more experimentation this year.
The bad part, the NYC health department came in and closed them down for not having the proper permits and licenses
Kind of reminds me of the New Testament descriptions of Jesus dealing with the pharisees. Always nitpicking with their stupid laws in spite of all common sense. When I learned about these simple stories as a child, it seemed so very clear. Now look at us today.