Frightened of Food Storage? Don’t Worry, It’s Easier Than You Think!
When she envisioned food storage, Bill always pictured large containers of wheat and big plastic jugs of water that would fill up the laundry room and stay in his basement forever. Somehow, he couldn’t quite imagine the idea of integrating food storage with his everyday menus that usually included chicken, hamburger, and fish. He later discovered that it was possible to acquire food storage gradually and to be sure that it contributed to the meals he prepared every day. “When acquiring food storage, be sure to choose foods that your family can and will eat,” advises Jane Merrill, author of the book Feasting on Food Storage. “Remember that eating right decreases fatigue, increases energy and endurance, prevents dehydration, and maintains mental alertness.”
What Is Food Storage?
Food storage is any food stored to be eaten at a later time, whether it’s four hours, four days, or four years later. Food storage is any food in the refrigerator, on the shelf, in the garden, on the tree, or in other forms, such as livestock.
How Can I Start Gathering Food for Food Storage?
First, think about what meals could be prepared using the foods you have on hand. Estimate approximately how long you could survive on the foods that you currently have. This will help you evaluate where you are and where you want and need to be.
Consider that the average family eats only eight to ten different menus repeatedly. Make a list of eight or more basic meal menus you enjoy and can easily prepare. Include favorite soups, stews, and casseroles that are simple, nutritious, and food-storage friendly. Check your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry to see which items you already have on hand. Make a list of additional items you will need. You can make a master grocery list following the configuration of your favorite grocery store and keep copies ready to use. Then simply check each item you want and write in the amount needed.
Second, gather a supply of storable food that you typically eat, foods that are part of your normal daily diet. Focus on canned and commercially-packaged foods that have a stable shelf life. Buy staples that you usually eat, but begin purchasing two or more at a time. Start with acquiring a one-week supply, followed by two, three, and then four weeks. “This will increase your supply quite rapidly, and it will be soon be sufficient for
three months,” says Merrill. Include basics such as flour, sugar, oil, yeast, baking powder, and baking soda, so you can make your own baked goods if necessary. Keeping your pantry well-stocked and organized saves both time and money. “You will love the convenience of having the right foods on hand when you need them to prepare a meal,” says Merrill. Consider the following five guidelines when acquiring food storage.
1. Shop once a week and stick to your list.
Write your list on an envelope where applicable coupons can be stashed for easy availability. When you use a can or package of a food item, put it on your grocery list and replace it. As you shop, buy at least two of the basic items needed, rather than just one. In this way, you will soon build up an adequate supply of foods you regularly use. When possible, stock up on quality nonperishable sale items that you plan to use in the next few months.
1. Buy and consume safely.
Avoid dented cans and foods that are questionable in any way. However, use common sense as you rotate your foods (always pulling older foods to the front of the shelf so they will be used first). Although some foods may be safe to use long after the suggested use-by date, remember to exercise good judgment. “Contrary to what most of us would like to believe, food storage does not keep forever, not does it improve with age,” says Merrill. “Continually use and replace the foods in your storage to assure freshness, while maintaining an adequate supply.” Rotating food can be the trickiest part of home food storage, but it is important.
2. Shop the sales.
By planning menus around weekly sales ads, you can often save 30% or more on an average grocery bill and really stretch your food dollars. Use custom menus each week, based on foods that you have on hand and foods on sale at your favorite stores. Design these meals to fit your own family. Fix at least one meal each week using some of your longer-term food storage foods so that you will get used to using them.
3. Save time and money
Cook once and eat twice or more by doubling or tripling at least one recipe each week. Enjoy one meal for dinner and freeze a meal or two for later, with little or no extra effort. This gives you “food storage” by keeping your freezer stocked with ready-to-eat meals for busy days. One-dish meals can also save money and time. Making your own breads and pastries saves big money. This is much easier if you have kitchen equipment such as a Bosch mixer, a good blender, and an electric grain mill (adjustable is best). The new safe pressure cookers are also great time-saving appliances.
4. Don’t panic or go into debt to get prepared
“Most of us can’t get everything we will need at one time, but we can begin and now is the time,” says Merrill. Simply start with getting a three-month food supply. You will save big if you plan ahead, make a list, and shop wisely. Always keep in mind that good nutrition is import during times of stress to increase energy and help avoid illness.
By Carolyn Campbell