[John Galt 1]

So I agree with the op that one would need to have a pre-industrial revolution type food production operation already in effect before the event.

I'm going to turn this topic to the side a little bit and ask a simple question.
Assuming you're using your or a neighbor's grass yard (no big roots) using just a shovel and hoe. Who here thinks they can chop up and turn all the grass over and soften an acre's worth of grass?
Most of us here aren't in good enough shape to do that job in 7 days. You really need to break the ground up down to a depth of 6-8". It takes several passes.
Using a fairly large walk behind tiller I probably can do an acre in one day on ground that gets tilled at least once a year (so it's somewhat soft) with maybe 5 gallons of gas but maybe more than 5 gallons.
Been there, done that with the $600 (probably $1000 today) walk behind tiller. 235 cc roughly 3 1/2 hp engine.

But the 1st time I tilled that acre with the large heavy walk behind tiller on hard grass covered ground I bet it took me at least 25 gallons of gas with multiple passes and took days and several broken sheer pins and crap getting stuck between the tines requiring the tines to be dissembled over about 3 days when I was 10 years younger.

How about I add another acre or two for my wife? An acre for each kid?
How about hoeing that acre or five every week working that land? Who has a honest heavy hoe? Not a Home Depot lightweight hoe which requires 2-5 chops to break through the dry soil to cut the roots but a real heavy hoe like this? Amazon.com : Rogue Hoe Field Hoe with 5-1/2" Head, 40" Hickory Handle : Patio, Lawn & Garden

An experienced farmer works hard. A newbie like most of us works harder.

 

[John Galt 1]

You seem reluctant to type the work 'killing'....odd.

I doubt anyone will be reluctant if its actually a food source being eaten. 99% of gardens are hobbies and don't provide significant amounts of anyones food.

In SHTF, it would be different.

I'm also reluctant to shoot a deer. I've done it many times and processed the animal that keeps eating my smaller apple trees but I also don't like shooting such beautiful animals. Lord knows there are too many deer around here but I'm a reluctant hunter. I don't even like to shoot the skunks and O-Possums that raid the cat food bowl but I do it when required.

I especially don't like shooting the stray dogs that get dropped off on our road.
But if the stores were all closed and the freezer was empty...

 

[John Galt 1]

I've found that a rocket stove is the most wood efficient way to cook. After that is a wood burning pizza oven. My woodstove top doesn't get hot enough to cook fast but it will cook.