# Heatwaves Prolonged periods of extreme heat can affect food production, storage, and distribution. Crops may fail, refrigerated goods can spoil more quickly, and water shortages can impact both agriculture and household food preparation. ### What residents can do: * Store food safely by keeping fridges at the correct temperature (below 5°C) and avoiding overstocking perishable items * Opt for non-perishable foods (e.g. tinned goods, dried foods) during extreme heat periods * Stay hydrated and prioritise foods with high water content (e.g. fruits and vegetables) * Reduce food waste by planning meals and using leftovers efficiently * Avoid outdoor cooking or food preparation in extreme heat where possible ### What councils and local authorities can do: * Support food banks and community food networks to ensure continued supply * Provide guidance on food safety during heatwaves * Coordinate with local retailers and suppliers to monitor shortages * Identify and support vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly residents) at risk of food insecurity * Ensure contingency planning aligns with local climate adaptation strategies Find below the Heat Summary regarding food supply from the UK Health Security Agency. {% embed url="" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://wiki.greatcollaboration.uk/knowledgebase/food/food-security/emergencies/heatwaves.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.