Barter as currency
Kira Zabe
September 21, 2022
The pandemic has shown that supply shortages can lead to a scarcity economy. As a result, many items are not available on the official market. Especially during the 1920/1930s or after World War II, there was such an extreme time. Black markets quickly emerged to provide access to essential items that were not officially available. Money played a secondary role in being able to pay for the needed goods. Instead, bartering was widely practiced in such times.
In this post, we would like to list for you which products are highly sought after and thus appear to be useful.
Alcohol:
It is consumed for pleasure but also often enjoyed on joyful occasions. Spirits with a long shelf life without loss of quality include: grain alcohol, vodka, or whiskey. Variations mixed from these also keep well.
Cigarettes:
Required by smokers on a daily basis. Due to their calming effect, many do not want to do without them, which is why they are in high demand during shortages. If you stock up on cigarettes bought at a low price for trading, it makes sense to vacuum-pack them. This way, they do not lose quality through drying out and retain their value.
Coffee:
Many people enjoy drinking it and it's hard to imagine many households without it. Since it cannot be grown here, it is a product that can only be brought into our country through transportation. Rising energy costs are also driving up its price. If you want to stock up on coffee, opt for whole beans. They retain their flavor well and allow everyone to choose their own grind size. Instant coffee is also a good alternative for storage.
These are the Top 3 items that the fewest people would want to give up and are certainly the most interesting as a stock for trading.
We list more tips for you here:
Medications and Dressing Materials:
If you rely on certain medications, you should not consider them for trading. Because in the worst case, it could be detrimental to you if they were no longer available. It's good to stock up on items that are often needed, such as ibuprofen or anti-diarrheal drugs. They are very suitable for trading. Band-aids and dressing materials can also be very well stored. Who isn't familiar with the situation? A small wound here, an injury there, and suddenly you're out of band-aids. There's potential here to easily forget to restock.
Hygiene products:
Due to our high standards of hygiene, many diseases are no longer prevalent in our region. In countries where standards are not as high, illnesses such as cholera or typhoid are common. It is wise to keep an eye out for discount promotions or offers that make purchasing in bulk affordable. Bleach can be used to make disinfectant, which is always useful to have around the house.
Energy:
Everyone needs energy in some form or another. Gasoline/diesel, gas, batteries, or power stations can serve as useful items for barter. This way, you can offer your power station to someone in exchange for charging their devices for a certain period of time. With gasoline/diesel or gas, safety should be a priority. Consider whether it really makes sense to stockpile, for example, 50 cans of gas.
Vegetable seeds and fertilizer:
The current inflation shows that self-sufficiency is not such a bad idea. Everyone knows about allotment gardens. This culture emerged after World War II out of the necessity to be self-sufficient. Don't have the opportunity to use an allotment garden? Start on a small scale and plant in flower pots and boxes. This also saves you money. In times when many people turn to plant seeds and fertilizer, increased demand drives up prices and can lead to shortages in the market.
If you want to make a natural fertilizer yourself, nettle manure is very suitable. Here is a good guide*.
Items of the ordinary household:
Under certain circumstances, cable ties, duct tape, screws, wall plugs, etc. can be helpful. Who isn't familiar with the situation where you want to assemble a cabinet and maybe a wooden dowel or glue is missing. Thus, with a well-stocked supply of household items, you can also support others.
Knowledge, skills, and information:
Do you have manual dexterity or practice a craft? That's very good and offers tremendous bartering potential. Your skills add value when others are at a loss. Whether you're a hairdresser, mechanic, or chicken keeper, knowledge and skills are always in demand.
To be able to trade, do you want to expand your inventory? That's good. To help you keep track, our app supports you digitally. Why not try it out!
Another useful resource for you might be our Emergency Backpack Guide. Take a look at it right away.
In the linked video from BugOutSurvival NRS* a deeper dive is taken into today's topic. If you're interested, feel free to watch it here.
*unpaid advertising
More clarity when shopping: How Open Food Facts and the Smantry app make nutrition transparent
Many foods look healthy at first glance – but what's really inside them? Are the nutritional values balanced? How processed is a product? And what impact does it have on our environment?
This is exactly where the Smantry-App comes in: It uses the globally open database Open Food Facts, to give you immediate clarity when scanning your items. But what's actually behind the colorful labels like Nutri-Score, NOVA or Eco-Score, that you encounter in the app?
Let's take a closer look at the background.
Open Food Facts: From the Idea to a Global Database
The journey began in 2012 with the founding of Open Food Facts – a non-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and makes food information freely accessible worldwide. The goal from the beginning was to provide consumers with scientifically substantiated information.
What started as a small project has now become a global platform with millions of products. And it is precisely this data that the Smantry-App uses to give you a clear overview directly on your smartphone.
An overview of the most important scores
1. Nutri-Score – how healthy is my product?
Since 2016, the Nutri-Score has been legally established in France – and it has quickly spread throughout Europe.
- A (green) means: very balanced.
- E (red) means: unbalanced, enjoy in moderation.
The rating is based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats – but also on positive factors such as fiber, protein, and the proportion of vegetables.
👉 So in the Smantry app, you can see at a glance whether a food item fits into your everyday life – or perhaps should be on the table less often.
2. NOVA-Score – how processed is it?
Not only the ingredients, but also the degree of processing plays a significant role for health. This is exactly what the NOVA-Score (integrated into Open Food Facts since 2018) shows you:
- 1 = unprocessed or minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit, plain yogurt)
- 2 = ingredients such as vegetable oils, sugar, flour
- 3 = processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, canned goods)
- 4 = highly processed products ("Ultra-Processed Food"), often with additives, flavors, and industrial processes
👉 With the Smantry app, you can instantly tell if a product is still 'close to nature' – or if it falls into the category of being highly processed.
3. Eco-Score (soon to be Green-Score) – how sustainable is my shopping?
Since 2019, Open Food Facts also includes an environmental assessment: the Eco-Score. It takes into account, among other things:
- CO₂ emissions from production and transportation,
- Packaging and recyclability,
- Origin and seasonal factors.
The rating is – similar to the Nutri-Score – from A (very eco-friendly) to E (less sustainable).
By 2025, this will become the Green-Score, which will take into account even more detailed data and thus provide you with even better guidance for sustainable consumption.
👉 For you in the Smantry app, this means: You can see not only whether a food is healthy for you, but also whether it is good for our planet.
What this means for you as a Smantry user
Currently, you can scan your products in the Smantry-App and view many details. The scores themselves are not yet integrated – but the integration is planned.
This means: Soon you will be able to see not only the nutritional values of a product but also how healthy, processed, or sustainable it is – all directly in your app.
Conclusion: Your Smart Nutrition Compass
The colorful labels are much more than pretty symbols. They are your quick compass in everyday life – whether you want to shop with health consciousness, reduce highly processed products, or pay attention to the environment.
With the Smantry-App you already have strong support for more transparency while shopping. And with the planned integration of the scores, it will become even more valuable – your smart nutritional compass for the future.
Cooking with the Future: Augmented Reality and Smart Interfaces for Your Recipes
That’s exactly what augmented reality (AR) and smart interfaces bring to the table. They project digital information where you need it most: into your cooking environment. This makes it easier to stay organized, cook more efficiently, and even reduce waste – because less stress in the kitchen often means fewer forgotten or spoiled ingredients.
And here’s where Smantry comes in. The app already helps you keep track of your pantry, avoid food waste, and stay in control of your kitchen. With upcoming features like leftover-based recipe suggestions, you’re already stepping into the smart kitchen future today.
👉 Bottom line: The kitchen of tomorrow is here – and it’s efficient, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!