An Introduction to Emergency Food Storage

What Is Emergency Food Storage?

In the Western world, having regular access to food and drinking water is taken for granted. If your access to food and drinking water was interrupted for any amount of time, what would you do? Having a plan will ensure your survival and comfort, and the time to be prepared is now. Emergency food storage is simply having a supply stored for emergencies. It can be any type of foods or meals. It can be purchased from the grocery store, market or from a company that specializes in food meant to be stored for long term, such as freeze dried food from FoodSupplyDepot. They can be stored in one area – such as a basement or closet of your home – or where you typically use them. Extra food can be stored in your kitchen with the foods you use on a day-to-day basis.

Why should I have emergency food storage?
Doomsday Preppers has created stars out of ordinary citizens preparing for extreme events and disasters: a natural disaster, nuclear bomb, electromagnetic pulse or civil unrest causing an enactment of martial law. While most people with a plan are not considering these life and death situations, each of these events is cause for being prepared.

Extra food: not just for an emergency
During unemployment or underemployment, a plan ensures your family will continue to eat despite a lack of income that accompanies a job loss or bad economic times. During a power outage or storm, when access to shopping is limited, your family will also benefit from the supplies that you have diligently gathered. In the event that your wallet is stolen – with your credit and debit cards and cash – a lack of spending power will not interfere with your ability to provide delicious meals.

How to Start a Surplus Food Storage Plan
There are several ways to begin accumulating your supplies. You can begin with your weekly trips to the supermarket. During each trip to your grocer, pick up something extra and place it in your storage area. If you normally buy one can of rice, buy two, and place the extra item in your designated storage area. Another option is to buy foods from a company that specializes in preparedness such as Survivalbased. You can also call a local Mormon church to see if there is a Mormon cannery nearby. Mormon canneries are open to their members as well as non-members. Items like rice and beans are sold in bulk. Regardless of how you choose to supply your emergency pantry, plan on a meal for everyone in your household before you buy in order to ensure you have enough supplies. This means making a list and considering any special needs such as food allergies or dietary restrictions. Be sure to list non-food items such as toilet paper, first aid, things for your baby or small child and feminine hygiene supplies.