Prepper Food Storage Basics

Prepper food storage…disaster preparedness…doomsday…all seem to bring feelings of impending trouble. Often that fear does one of two things. It either moves us to action or it stops us from even trying. Here are some suggestions for those who don’t know where to begin or see it as an impossible task.

First item that needs to be considered in establishing a Prepper food storage plan is budget. Do you know how much you pay for groceries each week? How much money is available to purchase necessary items? Prepper food storage and disaster preparedness can be done on a tight budget. It can be as simple as buying one extra can of tuna fish or peanut butter each week when it is on sale. It might be a shock to see how much is spent without the figures being written down. Make a list of all you spend each week and figure out how much each week or month you have to spend on storage items. It may take a little time to figure out how much you have to spend however it will be well worth the effort.

Once the decision has been made about the budget and how much each week or month there is to spend the second thing to consider is where to store it. If the ‘one extra can each week’ method is necessary then this question is not too difficult. Find a space or shelf where these ‘extra’ items can be placed away from the regular everyday use items. Perhaps even a box in a closet. Decide that you will not use these foods for a year unless, of course, you get into a situation that you must, such as loss of a job. Place bags of flour, sugar, rice, or similar loose type items in a zip lock bag to help keep them fresher and protected from small holes. Store bought cans of food last longer than the date on the lid, actually years longer. Remember to only buy cans in good condition for storage. Bent cans can leak or let in air which will deteriorate the food inside and nobody wants to open a can of rotten food. #10 cans for larger families, 5 gallon buckets are much easier to store and last longer than store packages of loose type items such as flour, sugar, rice, etc. If larger canned storage items are in your budget then look around and see where there may be some ‘hidden’ spaces. Under the beds, under a small cloth covered table or even in the corners of the bedroom closet. Make it a evening project to find those types of places in each room. Perhaps there is a place in the office or laundry room. Don’t leave out any room in your house. However, don’t store your foods in the attic or garage. You need these storage items to be kept in a dry area and at a ‘normal’ temperature. Not too hot and not too cold. Next to your budget, where to store your items will be a big factor.

Only buy and store what will be used. If no one likes peanut butter then don’t waste money or space. Write a list of basic food items that are used on a regular basis. We tend to be creatures of habit and many of us use the same foods all the time. Flour, sugar, salt, tuna, canned or dry beans, oatmeal, mayonnaise, ketchup, canned milk, etc, but ONLY things that are used regularly. Don’t by foods that you don’t know if you or your family like. Powdered milk is a good storage item but if your family hasn’t ever tried it then trying to get them to like it in an emergency situation will be very difficult. You might consider adding a quart of mixed powdered milk to a gallon of your regular milk just to see how they like it then work up to half powdered and half regular milk. This allows you to get used to the taste of powdered milk so that, if and when the time comes, it won’t be such a big adjustment. We all use other things besides foods each day. Basic things we use might be toothpaste, tooth brushes, floss, denture cleanser, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, body wash or bar soap, contact solution, bandages, flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, etc.

Consider what your family needs are and make a list of non-food items. Make a plan to have as least one extra of something on your food and non-food list each week. Keep these lists handy so when these items go on sale the preparedness can begin. If you can always have one extra of the things you use on a regular basis then you have the beginnings of your storage. Remember to always replace the extra one each time you use it so that you don’t run out. Always look at the store ads and see if any of your items are on sale and stock up as much as your budget allows.

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