Disaster Preparedness - Food Storage

Many people 'put by' food, either in the fall after harvest and canning, or when things are on sale at the grocery. There are still others who make it a habit to have extra food on hand at all times, the Mormons have a policy of having 1 years food supply for all members of the family at all times, many survivalists do also.

There are some issues with doing this....knowing proper, safe methods of storage, and proper rotation, so that everything stays as fresh as possible.

Following are some suggestions for your stores list:

Food Supplies – rotate every 6 months

BEVERAGES
· Milk - Dehydrated or Evaporated
· Soda
· Coffee, teas, instant cocoa - remember, drinks with caffeine in them will move water through your body faster, so you might consider storing 1/2 again as much water.
· Powdered Beverages as desired - Don't forget, these will require extra stored water to make.
· Fruit, tomato and vegetable juices
· Sport drinks, such as Gatorade

Grain Products
· Multi-packages of individual serving breakfast cereal
· Instant HOT cereal in the paper packages
· Pancake mix - get the type that requires water only
· Bread - store in freezer
· Pasta
· Flour
· Corn meal
· Soda Crackers
· Rice

Protein Sources
· Canned Meat: bacon, spam, sausages, meat spreads, chile con carne, beef stew.
· Canned Poultry; chicken, turkey
· Canned Fish: tuna, salmon, sardines
· Cheeses: hard wax wrapped cheese lasts longer
· Dried Eggs

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
· Canned berries
· Canned pears, peaches, apricots, plums
· Canned citrus fruits
· Canned vegetables
· Dry peas
· Instant mashed potatoes
· Dry packaged beans

STAPLES
· Salt
· Sugar
· Cooking oil
· Shortening
· Baking Soda
· Honey

SEASONINGS AND SPICES
Include seasonings appropriate for the meals you choose to store. Spicy foods increase the consumption of fluids

SNACKS AND OTHER FOODS
· Nuts
· Peanut butter
· Hard Candy
· Dried fruit
· Jerky
· Dry soup mix
· Canned soup