THE END OF THE WORLD FILES volume 3. scavenging.

The word “scavenging” reeks of desperation. One may have visions of seagulls in the McDonald's parking lot or raccoons tipping over garbage cans. As civilized humans, these images are displeasing to us. After the fall of civilization, we may think better of seagulls and raccoons. After all, they are simply natural creatures that are doing their best to survive in a world that has changed around them. They are, in fact, both very adept scavengers.
Scavenging is both an art and a science. You must know what you need and how and where to find it--and you must be creative enough to think outside of the box.
Example: Suppose you require food. Where would you find it? Maybe you should march to the grocery store and, since civilization has collapsed, just take what you need. Right? WRONG! Do this and you’ll end up being somebody’s dinner yourself. This is exactly what all of the panicking, uncreative thinkers will be considering. You will get to the grocery store and there will either be a wholesale war going on or the winner of a war already happened and the victor will be waiting to pounce on the next hungry soul that walks in. Perhaps the victor(s) decided "Why move all this stuff? Why not just set up shop and stay here?" which is just what they’ll do. They’ll spend years defending that grocery store against the desperate, starving masses. Maybe they’ll be over run some day. Maybe not. One thing is for certain, you want no part of this mayhem.
With a little creative thinking, you can avoid this mess. All you need to do is think of a place that has food that people would not think of right away. Take your time. If you’re smart and it still takes you awhile to think of it, then it’s probably a good idea that others would overlook.
How about churches? They have pantries tucked in the back for coffee hours and such that tend to be stocked with non-perishable items. Find out where your local food shelf is, most people in your community will never have been there and will not think of it right away. Gas stations that only do repairs(not quick stops) generally have candy machines that you can break into when you don't have to worry about being careful. Re-check looted quick stops that have been cleaned out and look under the coffee counter. There are often back-up cases of sugar packets. Tanning salons and gyms will have vitamin supplements and/or protein powder, power bars, and bottled beverages. Re-check snack bars or fast food joints that have been looted and look big jugs of fryer oil that other people would not see as food but, of course, is very high in calories. Florists sell flowers, which you can't eat, but also often chocolates,which you can.
Make this creative thinking into a party game until the end. Write down the ideas and be ready.