Resolution: 90 Day Food Storage

Maybe part of your New Year's resolutions is to get your food storage! Let me say at the beginning of this that I believe everyone should be familiar with, and have the desire to attain, grains in their food storage. I think grain is the best food storage item to store because of its longevity if stored correctly, and because of its versatility and nutritional value. But I also recognize that most people don’t have the time or desire to learn about and how to use grain. It does take time to learn how to use well. I believe grain should be the backbone of a food storage program. But having said that, grain is not included in this list because it is not a common food. Beans. 20 pounds. There are many kinds of beans out there but the most popular is clearly the Pinto bean. Beans are nutritious, keep you full, and with a variety of seasoning, very tasty! They are available all over North America, usually in great abundance. Beans can be tricky to use especially as they get older. But between soaking and a pressure cooker, they are easy to use. They are usually very affordable too. Rice 20 pounds Rice is a staple of most of the world. We are fortunate to have a lot of rice in this country. There is white rice that has a longer shelf-life, but brown rice has greater nutritional value. Canned Vegetables 20 Cans Tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, even spinach are a few of what can be found. Buy what you eat. Canned Fruit 20 cans Everything from fruit cocktail to peaches and pears. There are many varieties, like veggies, so you can choose what you like. Fruit can give you a sweet variety. Canned Meat 20 cans There are a lot of canned meats out there. Salmon and tuna, chicken and beef. Even bacon. Even SPAM is considered a meat. So there are many possibilities. Beef, chicken, and turkey stews can be included in this. Oats 4 pounds Oats are very nutritious and filling. Perhaps your Mom was right! Peanut Butter 2 Large jars Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, with plenty of calories for energy and sustenance. Peanut butter doesn’t have a real long term shelf life but it is excellent for emergency food storage on a one-year timeline. Make sure you rotate this item. Powdered Fruit Drink 2 Large cans Many of these drinks have sugar that in a regular situation you may want to avoid, but as long as the drink has vitamin C, it will do its job. Powdered Milk 5 pounds Powdered milk has a bad reputation as tasting terrible. I can attest to this. But in the last several years powdered milk has improved immensely. Milk is a great source of protein and calcium. Salt 5 pounds Salt is very important in our diet as well as enhancing many foods. Pasta 10 pounds Pasta is an easy meal to fix and a familiar comfort food. Spaghetti Sauce 10 jars This is something that enhances pasta and other dishes. It’s something most of us are used to. Honey and Jam/Jelly 2 pounds of honey, 2 large jars of jam We need some sweetness when we’re going through a difficult time. Sugar works but these items are better for you. Pancake Mix 10 pounds This stores well and only requires water to make. It is easy to use and a comfort food. Soup or Broth 20 cans Soup is pretty affordable. Soup can be eaten as a meal or can be used with rice or pasta. It’s versatile. Cooking Oil 1 Large Container Every diet should have some fat. Peanut butter is a fat but oil can be used in many ways. I like olive oil but there are many oils on the market for cooking. It adds flavor and gives other ways to cook like frying. Spices This items changes everything. A meal can be changed just by adding or changing spices. Garlic, chili peppers, other peppers, onion powder, Italian spices, sage, oregano, and cinnamon are just a sampling of some of the spices that can transform your cooking. Choose the ones that you use the most. Hard Candy 2 Big bags This is one item that can really make an unbearable situation much easier to get through. It’s also good if you have kids to help them feel a little more normal in a bad situation. I think this list is complete enough for the average person. But as you learn about cooking and baking, you will learn what you prefer in foods as far as ease of preparation, and personal preference, you’ll know how to form your program. I highly encourage working on a 90 day supply of food, with plans to increase that to a longer term years supply. These are difficult and trying times that I don’t think will change very soon. Acquiring a food storage will give you peace of mind you can not have from anything else. Semper Paratus Check 6 Burn