LDS/Mormons - Is there a list of what to buy each month for our food storage?

Question

Or something like that? I need to get better about food storage but am unsure what/how much to buy...?? A list for each month would be awesome...

Answer 1

This website gives you a month to month food storage calendar:



http://www.theideadoor.com/FoodStorage.html#Storage%20Calander

Answer 2

I think the point of the new pamphlets are to emphasize a three month supply of foods you already eat, then to just rotate them. As has been the case for decades, wheat, rice and beans are the "long term" staples. The website someone posted from provident living is good, but has recently changed. A little over a year ago it's calculator listed approximately 30 foods that were recommended for your years supply, but now only three foods are listed. Try going to the FAQ's at the website. It gives a better overview of the new system than I can.

Like I said, I think the point is to use what you buy and buy what you use. I know a LOT of members who worked toward getting their year's supply, but once they had it they never used it because they didn't buy what their family liked to eat. If you're allergic to wheat, then don't buy wheat. If your family is lactose intolerant then there's no need for milk or dairy products. If on the other hand you have small kids then you might want to invest in peanut butter, mac n cheese, and cheerios.

Take a look at your grocery list and think about how often you go to the grocery store each month. Multiply it by three and there's your three month supply. Now, just buy a few more cans of _____, or a certain dollar amount more of those things when you go grocery shopping. If you find a really good deal then stock up as much as you can (without creating a financial hardship, or going into debt). Also, consider going to emergancyessentials.com for some items that your family might like, and use them in your normal everyday cooking. If you use them now, then when you need to rely on them your family won't be as likely to balk when you start cooking them.



Wow, I'm impressed with Diane. I wonder, do you store water?

Answer 3

I used to have the beginnings of a 72 hour kit, but the last time I checked it (about 2 years ago) I realized that I really needed to update it and add to it. As far as actual food storage, I have probably 15 cans (small) of veggies, maybe enough pasta and rice for one person for a week or two, and some potato flakes. Other than that, I don't have much of anything else. I'd love to get into the habit of buying a can or two more and build that way but I just haven't done that yet. Plus, I can't imagine my apartment holding much more than 3 months of food storage, without me having to create a path to each room that is a dedicated "food storage free" zone. :)

Answer 4

There's nothing wrong with food storage. If people had food storage during Katrina and other disasters a lot of grief would have been avoided. No there is no list.

You should have at least 72 hours food and water to keep you during earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

Because the government will take days, weeks and yes even months and years to help you.

Answer 5

I would suggest going to www.providentliving.com



Just be cautious that you only store food that you actually eat. If you store it, then you should incorporate it into your diet. If you don't then some things will make you sick if you start eating them all the time and your body is not used to them. Wheat and beans are two items that come to mind that we tend to store, but never use. If you don't use them now, then they will make you sick when you begin to rely on them all the time. Your best bet, if you don't use them is to just not get them.



Really I think a great way to build up food storage is to just buy extra everytime you go. If you go shopping every two weeks and you get 4 cans of tomato sauce, then next time get four or six cans and keep doing that and eventually you will have your storage built up and it won't cost a whole lot to do it.

Answer 6

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.



According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.

Answer 7

The easiest way to build up your food storage is simply buying a bit more of the canned and long term storage foods you usually buy.. For instance instead of buying the normal 10 cans of soup your family eats each month buy 20 cans.. so you have 10 for storage..



Remember to rotate your stock and only store foods your family actually eats.. Having 100 lbs of wheat that your family won't eat is no more effective than having none..



I have found that using a vaccuum sealing system in conjunction with canning jars makes storing dried goods (cereal, flour, bisquick, etc.) easier... I buy in bulk then divide seal and place the bags into canning jars (no heat sealing required) This allows me to store the item for much longer with the vaccuum seal keeping the food fresh and the jar keeping out pests who can and will gnaw through a bag.. It also allows for easier storage in my gravity feed rolling racks while automatically rotate my stock..



Auto rotation... YES!!! a no brainer... Feed new product into the top and use from the bottom... Remember to date everything when you add it and it couldn't be easier.. (I use self stick labels "Address labels are great" on the canning jars write with a peramanent marker "I have a few on strings hanging from my racks so I can always find them"... Write directly on metal cans... Simply the date purchased will do...



I built my storage simply buying an extra weeks worth of food every paycheck.. It didn't take long to build up a pretty substancial storage..



Also think about storing seeds (Carrots, tomatoes, etc. etc. ) Should a crisis lead to the use of your storage having seeds will give you a way of growing food should the crisis be a really long one...



Also look into compiling a mobile 72 hour emergency kit... (3 days worth of food, water, some clothing, some cash, and other items in a portable container/containers..) Should you need to evacuate in an emergency(fire, flood, other natural disaster) You are ready to roll at a moments notice...



I store my 72 hour kit in a rolling rubbermaid trashcan with the lid inverted and a disk of wood on top and a table cloth it sits in my livingroom disguised as a side table with a lamp on top.. (Date the items inside and rotate them)..



Addition:



To Tonya in TX... Yes I have about 100 gallons of water in 5 gallon containers. (Crystal Bottles Water) I rotate them as well... Also for water there is roughly 3-5 gallons of clean water in the tank portion of all standard toilets.. As long as there is no in tank bleach or other cleaning product the water is fresh... (Please note I say tank not bowl) I also fill both bathtubs in my house when a storm is coming in that's another 150-200 gallons of water to use for cleaning etc. (not good for consuming)....



Everyone should take a look inside their toilet tank occassionally to make sure all parts are clean and rust free (it costs less than $15.00 to buy all new bits for inside most toilet tanks.. With clean properly maintained inside bits the water is there and ready to go in an emergency) Be sure to either turn off the intake valve or brace the mechanism before removing water as you don't want potentially contaminated water entering when the level drops..



Also your hot water heater is a great source of clean water.. Turn off the heating mechanism, turn off the intake valve and drain from the lower emergency drain valve.. Another 50-75 gallons of clean water....

Answer 8

http://www.providentliving.org/channel/1,11677,1706-1,00.html

Here's a link that should prove useful. Good luck

Answer 9

usually the ward has a list of stuff and how much you need

Answer 10

lots of hard tack and beef jerky....and mountain dew...