Even the current government tells you to stock at least 3 months of food and water. We have about 6 months of growing season, maybe 7 if we cover the crop, so we need to keep about 6 months of food to use during the months with no crops.
To me that’s not hoarding or even being prepared. That’s just life in the country.
I do know that during the Civil War, both the Union and the Confederate soldiers confiscated food from the areas they passed through. Always good to have a secret stash somewhere.
I have old family letters from the CW talking about how the troops took their horses and everything that wasn’t nailed down. Hard times back then and from all indications hard times are coming again.
Add 2-3 more months to your “hoard” because half of those growing season months will be before the plants get big enough to start harvesting. Hubby saw the freezer this morning and was shocked how empty it is. It’s going to take some time to just get it full and then start back on our “hoarding” after a recent bump in the road. One step forward and 16 back so thank goodness garden season is here!