Welcome again to our Preparedness Corner. This month will focus on Food Storage.
OCTOBER – Food Storage
Purchase: Extra storage items each shopping visit as you are financially able
Rotate: Food storage products (older products in front of newer products).
Organize: Food storage room, check expiration dates
Learn: Canning and storage techniques (from relatives or ward members). Use recipes with your food storage
Notes on Food Storage: (The follow are some questions and answers taken from the Church’s website, www.LDS.org.)
What is the most important thing I can do regarding family home storage?
Get started! If you have already begun, faithfully continue your efforts. As President Hinckley taught: “We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, my brethren, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective” (In Conference Report, Oct. 2002, 65; or Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58).
What’s the difference between the three-month and “longer-term” supply items? Three-month supply items are non-perishable foods that you normally eat, such as canned and commercially packaged foods that have a stable shelf life. “Longer-term” supply items are basic food items like grains and beans that have very low moisture content (about 10% or less), can be stored for long periods of time (20–30 years), and would sustain life if nothing else were available to eat. A portion of longer-term supply items may be rotated into the three-month supply.
Where do I start? Start by adding a few storable items that you typically eat, storing some water that is safe to drink, and saving some money, if only a few coins each week. Then over time, expand these initial efforts—as individual circumstances allow and where permitted—by storing a longer-term supply of basics such as grains, beans, and other staples.
How quickly should I obtain my food storage? It is not prudent to go to extremes or go into debt to establish your home storage all at once. Gradually build reserves over time as financial resources and space permit.
How often should I rotate stored products? Continually use and replenish the food in your three-month supply to avoid spoilage. You may wish to rotate into your regular meals elements of your longer-term food supply. Such items can, however, if properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place, last 30 or more years. See the Home and Family section of the Church’s Web site, LDS.org, for more information about home storage rotation and packaging.
Addition Notes on Food Storage: With all of our food storage, especially the long term items, make sure we have recipes or recipe books to go along with them. It may also be wise to include disposable paper products and utensils. Do we have a wheat grinder if we have wheat? Do we have gamma lids for our food storage buckets to reseal them? Remember, store what you eat and eat what you store. Conference is a great reminder time to evaluate our food storage, rotate food in our 72 hrs kits and rotate our water storage. Have fun!
