Today, it’s all about how to kick-start your food storage plan. It’s no secret that the world is a dangerous place. Natural disasters can and will happen. And when they do, being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. A food storage plan is one of the best ways to ensure your safety in crisis. But where do you start? And how much food should you store?
Please keep in mind that this is the bare minimum, my friends. The amount will depend on how many people are in your family and the ages of those you will need to feed and prepare food for to survive. We need to start somewhere; this list may help those getting started.
How to Kick-Start Your Food Storage Plan
Items I Highly Recommend:
Please remember to buy right the first time.
- Can Opener
- Larger Can Opener
- Electric Can Opener (not everything is for power outages)
- Whisk
- 5-gallon Buckets with Gamma Lids
- 2-gallon Bucket with Gamma Lid
- 6-Quart Rubbermaid Containers with Lids
How to Kick Start Your Food Storage Plan
What is a food storage plan?
A food storage plan ensures you have a stockpile of food that can last you and your family for some time in an emergency. This could be anything from a natural disaster to a power outage. A food storage plan means you will always have something to eat, no matter what happens.
25 Pounds of Flour
To get your food storage plan going, you must start with a good supply of flour. This essential ingredient can be used in many ways, so having a lot on hand is a good idea. You can make bread, pancakes, cookies, and more. Please learn to make bread. This is my no-fail recipe if you start with fresh ingredients. Easy To Make Bread For One
20 Pounds of Pinto Beans
A food storage plan needs at least 20 pounds of pinto beans. This is a versatile legume that can be used in many different ways. Pinto beans can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as the main ingredient in vegetarian chili. In case you missed this post, Homemade Vegetarian Chili
20 Pounds of Rice
Rice is another essential ingredient for your food storage plan. It is a good idea to have at least 20 pounds on hand. Rice can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as the main ingredient in dishes like stir-fry. A good thing about rice is that it goes a long way. Watch what happens when you cook the rice and see how it expands as it absorbs the water.
10 Pounds of Pasta
Pasta is another versatile ingredient that you will need for your food storage plan. It can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as the main ingredient in dishes like macaroni and cheese. Like rice, pasta also goes a long way. When you put some in a pot to cook, you’ll think it isn’t enough for a family meal. Then you see it expand as it cooks and absorbs the water.
25 Cans of Fruit
Canned fruit is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a snack, in desserts, or as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. Base your purchases on the fruits your family likes. There are many options based on the variety of fruit, the brand, the size of cans, etc. I’m sure you can find several choices your family will love.
25 Cans of Vegetables
Canned vegetables are another good addition to your food storage plan. They can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or as the main ingredient in dishes like ratatouille. Like fruits, many vegetables come in cans, so your choices will seem endless.
25 Cans of Meat
Canned meat is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a main dish, in soups and stews, or as an emergency food ration. We have found the canned chicken breasts from Costco to work well in salads, sandwiches, and other recipes calling for chicken. Give it a try; you’ll enjoy it, I promise.
10 Pounds of Instant Milk
Instant milk is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a drink, cereal, or even baking. Fresh milk is always excellent in the fridge, but that fresh gallon will be consumed quickly in emergencies. Instant milk gives you the comfort that you can still make those recipes call for milk. I recommend Thrive Life only because that’s the one I like the best. Please find one your family will enjoy and look at the expiration dates.
3 Pounds of Salt/10 pounds of Sugar
Salt is a necessary ingredient for any food storage plan. It can preserve food, add flavor to dishes, or be a survival tool. We use sugar in many recipes; 10 pounds would be the minimum.
10 Pounds of Oats
Oats of various kinds are an excellent addition to your food storage plan. They can be used as breakfast cereal, baking, or even a healthy snack. Many don’t realize how many packaged food products are made with oats. Oats are nutritious and can help keep you “regular” due to their fiber content.
5 Gallons of Honey/ One Gallon of Coconut Oil
Honey is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a sweetener, in baking, or as medicine to heal a small cut or soothe a sore throat. Please store your honey in quart jars in case it crystallizes. If it does, you can set a quart of the honey outside in the sun to soften or melt it to its original form. Coconut oil is a good oil to start with; I also store olive and vegetable oil.
15 Jars of Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti sauce is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a pasta sauce, in soups and stews, or as the main ingredient in lasagna. Plan on using it and the pasta you have stored to make many meal choices. Tomato sauce and tomato paste are also good to store; you can make spaghetti sauce.
3 Cans of Coffee
Coffee is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. I don’t think anyone needs a reason WHY you should store coffee. It’s a must-have food item in any food storage plan. It’s a great bartering item; enough said.
3 Cans of Tea
Tea is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a drink or in baking, and it’s also a home remedy for an upset stomach.
6 Jars of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a spread, for baking, or sandwiches! It’s also an excellent protein source directly from the jar. Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars and Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars are both great recipes to make with leftover peanut butter.
25 Cans of Soup or Broth
Soup or broth are both excellent additions to your food storage plan. They can be used as drinks, cooking ingredients, or even survival foods. Vegetable Beef Soup is one of my favorite recipes to make with broth!
3 Pounds of Chocolate
Chocolate is an excellent addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a treat or in baking. My family goes through so much chocolate that this is a MUST-have in our food plan! Is Dark Chocolate Healthy For You?
Now You Have Food In Storage, How to Care for it is Important:
How often should I switch my food out?
You should switch out your food every six months to a year. This will ensure that your food is fresh and doesn’t go rancid. You can also rotate your food storage by using the oldest items first and then replacing them with new ones. This is called the “first in, first out” method. I understand the “best by” and “expiration dates.” This is a personal thing, and we must decide for ourselves.
How much water should a person store?
A person should store at least 1 gallon of water per day. I have always suggested to my readers that they store four gallons per person per day. This will ensure that you have enough water for drinking to stay hydrated, cooking to prepare meals properly, and sanitation so your hygiene is maintained. You should also have a plan for how you will purify additional water if necessary.
- Water: Do You Have Enough Stored?
- How To Store Water For Drinking And Cooking
- How To Store Water For Drinking And Cooking
What are some other things I should include in my food storage plan?
In addition to food and water, you should include items like a can opener, eating utensils, plates, and cups, a first aid kit, soap, personal hygiene items, and clothes and bedding. You may also want to include a flashlight, radio, and extra batteries.
More Food Storage Tips:
Final Word
This is just a small list of items you will need for your food storage plan. Of course, you will need to adjust the quantities depending on the size of your family and how long you plan on storing food. But this should give you a good starting point. Happy planning! May God Bless this world, Linda
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