A lot of people that live in small rural towns may buy most of their food from the store but a lot of the same food they buy is produced right where they live.
People with gardens generally produce more than they can use anyway, I know I do, and you would get farmers markets in a little no time. People might have to get used to eating “poor mans food” greens, lots and lots of greens, but they will eat.
Same with ranchers. They need to get rid of their calves, not enough pasture to expand the herd that much, sell them to individuals.
As for water, people that have wells a quart of gasoline and a generator and you would have more than enough drinking water to last you for a couple of months.
People in the country will make out ok in the food and water. People in the city, that’s a different story.
The private sector economy will go further in the tank as the more affluent and productive working people flee the cities.
These people will have to learn to do something besides push a pencil if they want to eat.
I would expect some type of food kitchens to be set up in the inner cities, but I also expect the violence will have them shut down in short order.
Might want to check the start up power requirements for a 1 HP motor and make sure generator is big enough.
Then again, a long string and a piece of 3 in PVC with a check valve might work too.
“you would get farmers markets in a little no time”
No power means no gasoline, stuck, can’t get to town.
“Same with ranchers. They need to get rid of their calves”
No gasoline for truck - stuck with calves, can’t get to town.
“people that have wells a quart of gasoline and a generator “
No gasoline, no generator, no water.
“more affluent and productive working people flee the cities.”
Stuck one tank of gas from city, no place to live, no food, no water, desperation to live, revert to survival instinct, eventually get killed.