How to Start Your Food Storage Plan

In the modern world, we have all become accustomed to having food at our fingertips. If we are out of milk or bread, we can simply go to store and get some more. Very few people have given much thought to what would happen if they weren't able to get to the store or if the stores didn't have food on their shelves. With food shortages around the world and the state of the economy, this is a very real possibility. Rising prices and perhaps even unemployment can mean that you simply don't have the money to buy food. Severe storms or other emergencies could make it unsafe or even impossible to get to the store. It makes sense to store food in your home so that your family can weather emergencies more comfortably. Here's how you can get started.

Instructions

1. Make your emergency evacuation kit first. This can also be called a 72-hour kit or disaster supplies kit. This kit is a collection of emergency supplies and food that are stored in a portable container, such as a backpack or small bucket. Each member of your family should have their own kit and it should include enough supplies for three days. The purpose of this kit is so that you have something to grab if a sudden emergency should strike and you have to evacuate. Items to include in this kit: non-perishable food, water, clothes, first-aid kit, hygiene needs, necessary medicines, copies of important papers and basic tools and utensils.

2. Build a Current diet food storage second. Acquire a two to three month supply of food that your family eats regularly. This is as easy as buying a few extras of the items your family uses whenever you go shopping. Rotation is critical with these kinds of foods because they do not store for long periods of time. In an emergency, Your family will have familiar food to eat, and they can be used to spice up and ease the transition to the long term food storage items. Be sure to include plenty of water.

3. Begin storing long term food storage items. Don't wait until you finish the current diet food storage to begin this. These are simple foods that store for extended periods of time. Very few of us have the funds to store a year or more of standard store-type foods or dehydrated items. Storing grains, legumes and other staples allows us to provide for our families in a reasonable manner for a long period of time. You will need to incorporate these into your current diet so that your body can become used to them and you will be familiar with how to use them.

4. Don't forget your water storage. Water is essential but it is often overlooked. Begin storing water along with your food. You can purchase containers specifically for storage or you can reuse soft drink or juice bottles. Don't use empty milk jugs or containers that have held anything non-food such as bleach. Stored water should be rotated every 6 months to keep it fresh.

5. Check out the resource section for articles that take a more in depth look at the above categories.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy foods your family will eat. There's no point in wasting money and storage space on foods your family does not like. If you have picky eaters try adding things to their diet gradually and in different ways to see if they like them before buying in bulk.

• Include several meals that can be eaten without being cooked to see you through emergencies such as power outages.

• Think about what is needed to make an entire meal. A 3 month supply of spaghetti noodles won't be as useful if you don't have spaghetti sauce.

• Don't go into debt to build your food storage. Put together your food storage little by little, as funds allow.

Resources

• Red cross family disaster supplies kit
• Food Storage Calculator
• More articles by ~Analana~