I don't know Lee. I think what we are looking at are a combination of things. First off is global food shortage. I have a years supple of dehydriated food and other food stuff.
For example check out
www.efoodsdirect.com or
www.beprepared.comYou can purchase a years supply if you wish that is stored as such that it would last 20 years or longer depending on how it is stored. Cool temps are good.
1 20 lb rice goes a long way. I purchase 20 lb bag of flour that I store in one of the large dog food containers since I bake bread. Pasta and various dried and jar sauce mixes is a good staple.
It just depends on what you like to eat. Seeds to sprout don't take up much space.
www.mumms.com You can purchase all type of meals ready to eat where you just add water. We buy ramen by the case just because it is a favorite of our teen. You can freeze eggs. I bought a case of canned butter from New Zealand that lasts forever a year or two ago.
What ever long term storage items you can afford now is good just because of the inflation and obtainability factor looming over our heads. However, each person has to decide what works best for him or her. So take some time to plan out what you need first, what you can afford and where you can get the best price. Good luck with that. Also, keeping some cash out of the bank is good as emergency back up as well. I do expect major upheavel when the switch happens as people are not prepared and it will be unexpected for most.
However, I do think Denver will be a safe zone because it is where the new centralized government is. They already have tons of food stored in that area underground but I'm not sure how topside would fare. You want to purchase food that will store well.
Next, is the whole monetary implosion (devaluation of the dollar along with hyper inflation) and food prices are going to sky rocket.
Basics (peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, pancake mix, maple syrup, brown sugar, rice, honey, dried or can fruit and veggies, chocolate for this house along with jelly beans...) You can always use pancake flour (pancakes) to make sandwiches with. Canned meat (tuna, salmon, beef, chicken, sardines, spam, etc.) I like to make spreads for sandwiches so mayo and pickle relish. Powder milk. Popcorn. Coffee and tea. Food for pets.
Dried beans store well for long term too.
What you're looking at is both the rise in costs and availability Lee. I've been working at this for years so it has turned into a kind of hobby. My recent focus has turned to fresh produce so I grow food in containers up on the deck and out in the garden. If I were back in N.E. Oregon I would invest in grow lights and a generator. Sprouts would be a staple for fresh greens.