Smithereens are in a tizzy over the lack of produce, meat, dairy and toilet paper on the shelves in stores due to closed Highways out of BC’s south due to floods and washouts.

Grocery stores are encouraging shoppers to continue to shop normally and not “panic purchase” in efforts to leave enough goods for everyone and say that things will be back to normal soon.

People were posting online a dire scene: water spritzing on empty produce bins, no toilet paper, and empty freezers.

One store had stocked freezers, however, fresh bread and even eggs.

A local-only shop on First Ave in Smithers called Out of Hand. This an indoor market that only carries local farm-fresh produce and meat.

CICK News spoke with Lynn Nugent, owner of Out of Hand to discuss what elements of climate change and food security are abated when you buy local, and the long-term effects of knowing where your food comes from.