When crisis hits—be it natural disaster, severe civil unrest, or a prolonged disruption of supply chains—individuals in urban environments often find themselves cut off from the usual resources that sustain daily life. Among these essential resources, food ranks at the top. In a truly dire scenario, grocery shelves can empty, local markets can shut down, and even emergency services may be stretched too thin to provide the necessary aid. This is where the concept of urban SERE—Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape—comes into play. While traditionally associated with military training, SERE techniques can be adapted for civilians navigating the chaos of a city in crisis.
One critical aspect of any survival plan is food procurement and foraging. This blog post will explore practical, safe, and responsible methods of finding sustenance in an urban setting when conventional food sources become unavailable.
Understanding Urban SERE
SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape and is most often associated with military personnel operating behind enemy lines. However, many of its core principles can be adapted to civilian emergencies. Urban SERE focuses on surviving within a heavily built-up environment, maintaining a low profile when necessary, and using the unique resources that cities can offer. In times of crisis, civil unrest, or disaster, gaining access to safe and sustainable food sources in your immediate vicinity can be the difference between hardship and a manageable situation.
“Preparedness is the key to survival in most emergencies. Having knowledge about where to find resources in an urban setting is critical.”—American Red Cross, “Food and Water Safety”
The Importance of Food Procurement & Foraging
Cities might seem like concrete jungles devoid of natural resources, but they hold more promise than one might assume. Parks, vacant lots, and even landscaped urban areas can harbor edible plants. Abandoned or partially damaged buildings can contain overlooked storage rooms with canned goods or other non-perishables. And while dumpster diving may come with its own set of hazards, it can be a fallback for those who thoroughly understand its risks and rewards.
The U.S. Army Field Manual 21-76 (Survival, Evasion, and Recovery) emphasizes resourcefulness and adaptability in finding sustenance:
“Survival demands resourcefulness and resilience. Identify all potential sources of sustenance, no matter how unconventional they appear.”—US Army Field Manual 21-76
Finding Safe & Edible Wild Plants
The term “urban foraging” refers to identifying, collecting, and preparing edible plants that grow in and around city environments. According to Lisa M. Rose, author of Urban Foraging: Find, Gather, and Cook 50 Wild Plants, “urban green spaces can be surprisingly diverse in edible plants, but the key is proper identification and respect for local regulations.”
Some commonly found plants include:
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale)
Edible parts: leaves, flowers, roots
Culinary uses: leaves in salads, roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute
Plantain (Plantago major)
Edible parts: leaves, seeds
Culinary uses: leaves can be boiled or added to soups
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Edible parts: leaves, stems, flowers
Culinary uses: raw in salads or sautéed like spinach
If you are inexperienced in plant identification, rely on reputable field guides, reference apps, or community foraging groups (if available). Misidentification can lead to serious illness or worse, as some poisonous plants closely resemble edible varieties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns:
“Wild mushrooms and other plants can be easily misidentified, leading to severe poisoning. When in doubt, do not eat.”—CDC, “Wild Mushrooms: Information for Clinicians”
Gleaning in Urban Environments
Gleaning traditionally means collecting leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been commercially harvested. However, in an urban crisis, gleaning can extend to salvaging safe, edible resources from places like:
Grocery stores that have shut down
Restaurants that are no longer operational
Distribution centers or warehouses
Often, perishable goods in freezers or refrigerators may still be edible for a short period after power outages, especially if the cooling units have remained closed. According to the USDA:
“Food gleaning can help reduce waste while also providing nutritious resources for those in need.”—USDA, “Gleaning Toolkit”
Be aware of spoilage risks. If refrigeration fails during a power outage, food may become unsafe quickly—especially meat, dairy, and fish. Always prioritize canned, dried, or otherwise shelf-stable items when gleaning, and follow basic food safety guidelines where possible.
Salvaging Non-Perishable Items
In an urban disaster setting, abandoned buildings or evacuated neighborhoods may harbor hidden caches of canned goods, dried beans, rice, pasta, and other shelf-stable foods. Before entering any building, ensure it is structurally sound and safe. Look for the following items:
Canned vegetables, soups, and meats (check for rust, dents, or bloating)
Packaged grains and legumes (check for mold or vermin infestation)
Bottled or sealed beverages
Always inspect packaging. Swollen cans or packages with tears may harbor bacteria or toxins. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and discard questionable items to avoid foodborne illnesses.
Dumpster Diving: A Last Resort
While often stigmatized, dumpster diving can be a lifeline during extreme conditions. Grocery stores and restaurants frequently dispose of food that is past its “best-by” date or has minor cosmetic damage. Best practices include:
Prioritize freshly disposed items that are still in sealed packaging.
Avoid dumpsters with signs of chemical contamination (e.g., strong odors, cleaning products).
Inspect all items thoroughly for spoilage.
Thoroughly wash and cook anything you retrieve to kill potential pathogens.
Keep local laws in mind. Depending on your jurisdiction, dumpster diving may be illegal or frowned upon, though in a major crisis, enforcement of these laws might be minimal. Still, use proper hygiene and exercise caution.
Assessing Safety & Sanitation
Maintaining basic sanitation while foraging is critical. Any contamination can lead to gastrointestinal issues, which are particularly dangerous in survival situations where medical care may be limited. Key sanitation steps:
Carry water purification tablets or a reliable filtration system. This helps ensure any water you find (for washing or drinking) is safe.
Boil water when in doubt, as boiling kills most pathogens.
Wear gloves when handling potentially contaminated items.
Wash all wild or salvaged foods thoroughly if possible.
Cook whenever you can. Heat is a powerful tool for neutralizing many bacteria and parasites.
The USDA advises, “Food safety is particularly vital during power outages and natural disasters. Contaminated food or water can quickly lead to illness.” (USDA, “Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency”)
Protein Sources in an Urban Environment
In desperate circumstances, protein sources may be limited. While many people associate edible insects with wilderness survival, some urban areas also have insects you can harvest. Crickets, grasshoppers, and certain larvae can be relatively safe protein sources if properly identified and cooked thoroughly. However, pest insects (like cockroaches or flies) are generally unsanitary due to the pathogens they carry.
Small rodents, pigeons, and even fish in city ponds might be options in a worst-case scenario. However, these come with significant risks:
Rats and pigeons may carry diseases like leptospirosis, histoplasmosis, or salmonella. Proper cooking is critical, but even then, the health risks are not negligible.
Urban fish in canals or rivers may contain high levels of heavy metals or other contaminants.
To minimize potential harm, investigate the water quality (if any data is available) or rely on thorough cooking methods. In short, balance the immediate need for protein with the potential long-term health risks.
Ethical and Environmental Considerations
In a disaster setting, survival will be your priority; however, foraging should still be carried out ethically and responsibly if circumstances allow. Stripping local parks of their plants can undermine the ecosystem and deprive others of resources. Some points to consider:
Sustainable harvesting: Take only what you need, and avoid uprooting entire plants if possible.
Respect private property: If gleaning or salvaging from businesses or residential areas, understand the legalities.
Avoid endangered species: If a plant is rare or protected, leave it be.
By being mindful of how you procure food, you will not only help ensure your survival but also minimize your impact on the local environment and community.
Practice & Preparedness
One of the best ways to prepare for a crisis is to practice urban foraging and familiarize yourself with local resources before a disaster occurs. Identify edible plants during normal times, learn how to process them safely, and experiment with cooking methods. Participate in local classes or workshops if available. Building a small stockpile of non-perishables at home also lessens the immediate pressure of having to forage in a chaotic situation.
Final Thoughts
Urban SERE is not just about ducking behind buildings and staying hidden in times of turmoil. It is also about developing the skill set and confidence to secure life’s essentials—particularly food—when the usual infrastructure breaks down. By learning how to forage safely in city environments, salvage potential resources, and minimize health risks, you will greatly increase your chances of riding out a crisis. Keep in mind that all methods described—whether gleaning, dumpster diving, or wild foraging—must be approached with careful consideration of safety, legality, and ethics. In the end, knowledge remains the most potent survival tool of all.
Works Cited
American Red Cross. “Food and Water Safety.” redcross.org, https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/food-and-water-safety.html
US Army Field Manual 21-76: Survival, Evasion, and Recovery. Department of the Army, 1992.
Rose, Lisa M. Urban Foraging: Find, Gather, and Cook 50 Wild Plants. Timber Press, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Wild Mushrooms: Information for Clinicians.” cdc.gov, https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/mushrooms/index.html
USDA. “Gleaning Toolkit.” usda.gov, https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/gleaning-toolkit
USDA. “Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency.” usda.gov, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/archive/tag/food-safety
With this knowledge at hand and a cautious, respectful approach, you can better position yourself to endure the unexpected and stay nourished in even the most challenging urban crises.
Comments