Dark Stores & Dark Kitchens

[Silent Earth]

Dark stores and Dark kitchens
Y'know how many of us has discussed the importance of keeping records of places where we made be able to salvage food and fuel etc after TSHTF from corner stores to supermarkets to factory canteens to gas stations to railway locomotive servicing facilities etc.
Well there are now TWO more for you to try and find in your respective areas of operation DARK STORES AND DARK KITCHENS.
Dark stores first, with the massive growth in the US, UK and EU of HOME DELIVERY GROCERY SERVICES from the supermarkets (Walmart, Asda, Sainburies, Tesco, Waitrose etc) and also INTERNET COMPANIES like Amazon offering Supermarket grocery services OFTEN SAME DAY DELIVERY this phenomena has created a major LOGISTICS issue.
Up to now your Home delivery groceries were picked and packed by staff at your regular local Supermarkets, the pickers shared the same floorspace as retail customers, this has proven to be more difficult and time wasting for the pickers as this home delivery service has expanded.
So what the companies are now doing is builging NEW SUPERMARKETS but with NO RETAIL SHOPPERS, The only people using them are the supermarket home delivery workers this allows more of them to work faster and more efficiently without having to work around ordinay shoppers. They are called DARK STORES. There locations are not being advertised as they do not serve the public only home delivery companies. So as preppers we need to look and listen out to find out where they get built in OUR neighbourhoods.
DARK KITCHENS are filling in a similar need among the Home Delivery Fast Food Companies, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Greek etc. They are basically overflow capacity for companies who provide home delivery fast food services. If they get busy which they often do at peak times they can pass the order over to these dark kitchens who will fulfill and deliver the orders for the fast food chains. Again these places are NOT advertised but their locations would be worthy additions to our notes.

Source BBC Business news this morning

 

[lonewolf]

a lot of the delivery depots are located on the edge of the motorways, for instance Morrisons on the M5 between the Bridgwater turn off and the Glastonbury slip road.
huge green building-you cant miss it!!!

 

[Gazrok]

In the US, these will only be in major metro areas, so not a great place to be when it goes south..

But, warehouses for such stores, could be where it's at. Near me, are SEVERAL warehouses for grocers and restaurant suppliers, etc.

 

[Silent Earth]

In the US, these will only be in major metro areas, so not a great place to be when it goes south..

But, warehouses for such stores, could be where it's at. Near me, are SEVERAL warehouses for grocers and restaurant suppliers, etc.

A lot of em are being located mid way between clusters of towns over here no more than about 20 minutes apart, something not really found in the US outside the north east. BUT Supermarket distribution centres are splattered all across the US close to Rail and Truck hub interchanges.

 

[jontte]

interesting,when found those places must be put on a map,here I don't know yet any locations,but for "easy" supplies,what a better place, 'cause supermarkets will be emptied in no time.

 

[lonewolf]

any "resources" go straight on my map as soon as I get home.

 

[user 6493]

I never thought of these,there are a number of small grocery stores near me,I will have to visit these stores to find out where they get their supplies

 

[Silent Earth]

I never thought of these,there are a number of small grocery stores near me,I will have to visit these stores to find out where they get their supplies

May be listed in your equivalent of Yellow pages as Catering and / or Hospitality suppliers, Or Trade Grocery suppliers

 

[Silent Earth]

interesting,when found those places must be put on a map,here I don't know yet any locations,but for "easy" supplies,what a better place, 'cause supermarkets will be emptied in no time.

Helsinki Wholesale Food Market


View larger map
Vanha talvitie 10 H, 2. floor
00580 Helsinki

Postal address
P.O. Box 1000, 00099 City of Helsinki

Telephone: 09 310 23565
E-mail: [email protected]

Home pages
Search transport service

Customer service Mon-Thu 8-16, Fri 8-14

Operated by:
Helsinki Wholesale Food Market
Municipal service

 

[Silent Earth]

https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/ararat-ari-food-helsinki

 

[DrHenley]

My wife used to use a "Dark Kitchen" when she was in the catering business. There is a nondescript three story building about 5 blocks from here with no external markings where she prepared her catering meals. That particular location is now abandoned however. It was run by "Five Star Food Services" which has locations throughout the southeast. I'm pretty sure they have plenty of "Dark Stores."
http://fivestar-food.com/

 

[lonewolf]

I never thought of these,there are a number of small grocery stores near me,I will have to visit these stores to find out where they get their supplies

yes, small village stores near me have been on my map for the last 7 years!!!
plenty of places with firewood and old farm posts, I know of one place with a supply of coal and even a couple of garden centres with supplies of compost and fertiliser.

 

[user 6493]

the only problem with scavenging is it would be unwise to go alone,,,,remember you won't be the only one out there

 

[lonewolf]

the only problem with scavenging is it would be unwise to go alone,,,,remember you won't be the only one out there

"allegedly"!!!! depends on how low the population falls, remember i'm in a low population location to begin with.

 

[user 6493]

"allegedly"!!!! depends on how low the population falls, remember i'm in a low population location to begin with.

my area is within the blast radius of the closest nuclear target,I figure within 60 days there will be darn few of us left and most that are will be sick or dying ,it's a grim outlook

 

[jontte]

dang,SE,you are quick

 

[lonewolf]

my area is within the blast radius of the closest nuclear target,I figure within 60 days there will be darn few of us left and most that are will be sick or dying ,it's a grim outlook

i'm 100 miles from the nearest nuclear plant and the latest one hasent even been built yet! 2025 before its up and running. the prevailing wind is away from my location.

 

[Silent Earth]

My wife used to use a "Dark Kitchen" when she was in the catering business. There is a nondescript three story building about 5 blocks from here with no external markings where she prepared her catering meals. That particular location is now abandoned however. It was run by "Five Star Food Services" which has locations throughout the southeast. I'm pretty sure they have plenty of "Dark Stores."
http://fivestar-food.com/

Good feedback doc, other US members should seek them out.

 

[Silent Earth]

From my prepping guide

A warning about Supplies.
Do ensure that when you approach sources of supplies that they are not already under someone else’s control, do not take unnecessary risks if necessary go elsewhere or try again another day.
Avoid confrontation and unnecessary contact until things get as normal as possible, be prepared to barter for supplies. It may be very prudent to simply OBSERVE the target for 24 hours before moving in to see if the place is occupied.

RECORDING USEFUL RESOURCES
Identify and keep records of any useful resources that may be useful to your group or family after the disaster.
Some materials like coal or building materials can frequently be left in place and they are unlikely to come to any harm, unless of course such materials are going to be in short supply.

Identify the following in your area
Recoverable sources of Firewood, Coal & Coke, Peat, Heating and fuel oil, Bottled Gas (butane and propane). Check coal yards, railway sidings, gas bottled refilling centers etc.
Petroleum Products, Petrol, Diesel, Avgas, Paraffin (Kerosene), Hypoid, Lubricants.
(Most petroleum products will need treating with preservatives) Petrol stations, refineries, transport depots.
Building materials, lumber, bricks, cement, and aggregates etc. Builder’s yards, DIY centers, quarries, building sites etc
Water Supplies, Tanks, ponds, reservoirs, streams, wells (including capped ones) artesian and aquifer supplies,
Water filtration and purification equipment and stockists
Identify locations of fast flowing or fast falling water that could be used to turn generators, mills, etc.
Food stores, supermarkets, distribution centers, regional warehouses, grain stores, etc
Free range herds of cattle, sheep, chickens, deer etc
Rabbit farms, Rabbit warrens, Fish farms, angling clubs.
Tool stores, engineering suppliers, plant hire agencies, camping, caravanning and outdoor stores, sports shops, gun shops, gun smiths, boat yards, marinas, ships chandlers preserved railways etc
Remote housing that is conducive to self-reliance, IE has things like functioning large chimneys and fire places, ultra insulated, double/ triple glazed, multi-fuel heating and cooking facilities, has a well or other clean water supply, solar panels, wind turbines, methane digesters, local supplies of fuel, defendable etc other facilities like outdoor residential centers, outward bound centers, alternative technology centers, camping hostels, retreats etc are worth considering.
Check out footpaths, bridle ways, navigable water ways, rail lines, broadcasting masts, radio masts, wind farms, etc.
Please remember that in survival INFORMATION is not only power, but a lifesaver as well.

STOCKPILING SUGGESTIONS
There are many lists available on the web and in books about what to stockpile or cache this article is simply a guide of useful things to consider having around "just in case"
Some items you may wish to obtain can be useful on a day to day basis as well as being invaluable during a crisis for your own use or to barter with.
Flashlights
Batteries
Nylon cord /rope
Rope
Shovels
Hand operated tools
Paraffin and candle lanterns, wicks etc
Boots, insoles and spare laces
Ordnance Survey maps 1:50,000
Compasses
Ducting tape / insulating tape
Multi tools Gerber / Leatherman etc
Compact field glasses
Short wave radio or scanner
Shuttering / boarding up timber & nails/screws
Spare knives
Hiking clothing /Gore-Tex type
Medical kit
Personal Defence Weapons
Tents / bivouac bags
Blankets
Camp cooker / barbeque (multi-fuel)
Water containers
Extra personal sanitation kit / spare prescription glasses
Tea / coffee / whiteners
Sugar / salt
Flour / grain / pasta
Soap / bleach / detergents
Tooth paste / deodorant
Zip lock bags / bin bags
Candles / paraffin
Coal /charcoal / wood

All of the above are everyday consumables that will quickly become in very short supply during a crisis and pound for pound the likes of salt, paraffin, coffee, and candles will become more valuable than gold.
Writers of survival planning often suggest that you should keep a supply of pure gold and silver coins for use as barter currency, perhaps they are correct but in my mind if you cannot eat it or burn it or preserve food with it I don't think it will be of much use to you. People will sell their souls for the supplies I have listed and when they are in short supply you cannot really have too much in store because it’s something that you use continuously in your everyday life.


Resources
The logistical aspects of prepping can be very complicated but roughly speaking you need to consider the following.
What do you want?
What do you need?
What have you already got?
What can you adapt?
Where are you going to keep it?
Where can you get it from?
How long do you want it to last?
How long will it actually last?
Where will you get more from?
Can you make some more?
Does it do what you need it to do?
Can you get something better suited to do the job?
Can you afford it and can you afford NOT to have it?
Will it do the job you want it to?
How can I make it work better for you?
Is it in the right location(s)?
Is it safe and secure?
Is it legal?
Can you get to it in a hurry?
Who else knows you have it?

MAPPING & ROUTE PLANNING
When preparing to move to a RETREAT or even on EXPEDITION TRAINING you must make careful notes of certain important factors in planning your journey, Also when in location at your base or retreat you need to record for future use some vital information.

Listed below are some of the most important items that should be included on your maps.

1 Primary access route to and from your home or retreat
2 Secondary / alternative routes to your destination
3 Escape paths and alternate routes along your route to avoid hazards/ambushes/checkpoints/bad weather etc. etc.
4 Water and possible food supplies /and pre-arranged caches along your routes.
5 Water supplies around your retreat are they likely to remain that way are they pure? (Potable).
6 Escape routes from the retreat in case of extreme weather or overwhelming opposition
7 Natural hazards, bogs, rivers, marshland, large forests, old mine workings, rock faces etc.
8 Manmade hazards, bomb sites, fallout zones, mine fields, militarised zones, refugee camps, check points, known patrol routes, telecoms sites, (TELECOMS SITES =communication sites EG radio masts, communications/radio / microwave relay towers and broadcasting masts, telecommunications facilities, military network communications masts, broadcasting stations both civil/military and commercial etc. etc.)
9 Towns with populations exceeding available resources for self-reliance, etc
10 Strategic targets, Bridges, factories, refineries, garrisons, police stations, airports, chemical and steel plants, reservoirs, road and rail junctions, marshalling yards, power stations, etc.
11 Climatic hazards depending on time of year
12 Thugs, police, military both foreign and domestic, paramilitaries, refugees, renegades, looters
13 Allies, Red Cross, civil defence groups, other survival groups that are friendly.

Resources = Food stores, supermarkets, fuel dumps, grain stores, petrol stations and POL dumps, (Pol dumps = Petrol Oil and Lubricating dumps = fuel storage and distribution facilities, civil and military, petrol stations, oil storage facilities, refineries and crackers, wagon depots, rail refuelling depots, gas storage and distribution facilities, methane generator facilities (pig farms and ground fill sites), camping gas suppliers, butane / propane/map gas (Calor, Gaz, Coleman,Taymar etc)
Water supplies, tool stores, gun and sports shops, armouries, builders merchants, isolated shelters, farms, caves, tunnels, underpasses, fish farms, rivers and streams, colonies of cattle / small and large game etc

 

[jimLE]

i just used my smartphone,to do a web search for food distributors,within 100 miles..came up with quite a few.but the one that caught my attention the most..is one thats in my town.i took it for granted as a closed down gas station or a tire shop.the did brake jobs or whatever as well..now im going HMMmmm? i just might have to check it out someday..

 

[Billy Roper]

Yep, don't forget non-public food distribution warehouses where tractor trailers load and offload groceries, particularly non-perishable canned goods. Most of the people who will die when America balkanizes will succumb to starvation. That'll be the real bottleneck.

 

[jimLE]

there's a brookshire bro warehouse for distribution,and a MCcoys lumber,in the town where we do our primary shopping.in which their not only across the street from each other.but their also in a area of town where i consider that part of town,to be a somewhat bad section of town.so i figure they'll be raided/looted big time within the 1st month,of a shtf situation.the city zoo is across the loop from them as well.more food..then there's the lake that goes with the zoo.fish and gators there.so unless i can get to them in time.there's no way id go there,in a shtf situation..

 

[Billy Roper]

My sympathies to you, now and when SHTF. I live in a 97% White county, there isn't any bad area around here. ;->

 

[Gazrok]

A lot of em are being located mid way between clusters of towns over here no more than about 20 minutes apart, something not really found in the US outside the north east. BUT Supermarket distribution centres are splattered all across the US close to Rail and Truck hub interchanges.

Within 20 minutes of me: (due to rail access and mid point between two major cities)

2 major grocery store distribution centers
3 produce distribution market centers
an Amazon warehouse and distribution center
at least a dozen farmers markets
4 feed/livestock stores

Many other smaller ones as well, but these are the HUGE ones... Our area is a big farming area, and is only 20 minutes from a major city in both directions. Still though, that's a decent 20 mile buffer, of mostly nothing...either way. (even more of a buffer in the other cardinal directions)

 

[Gazrok]

My sympathies to you, now and when SHTF. I live in a 97% White county, there isn't any bad area around here. ;->

Race isn't much of a factor here for it. We still have white trash meth dealers...so our "bad areas" are mostly different trailer parks near farms. Kind of weird, as sometimes these parks are only a mile or so from really nice houses.

 

[jontte]

the only problem with that wholesale market is; 200 yds from a prison...

 

[Billy Roper]

When the balkanization comes, those buffers will be nice. We all need more buffers.

 

[Silent Earth]

i just used my smartphone,to do a web search for food distributors,within 100 miles..came up with quite a few.but the one that caught my attention the most..is one thats in my town.i took it for granted as a closed down gas station or a tire shop.the did brake jobs or whatever as well..now im going HMMmmm? i just might have to check it out someday..

Prepping is not prepping without Reconnaissance .

 

[Silent Earth]

the only problem with that wholesale market is; 200 yds from a prison...

IF they are released or escape do you actually think they will stop anywhere within ten miles of the prison?

 

[Silent Earth]

Also Mes ami look for localised Canning, Bottling, Jarring plants in your area from Ambrosia to Heinz, HP to Walkers plants
And look for FARM SUPPLIES ( Grain etc)