There are a variety of ways that a person can follow to build up a food storage system. I say “system” because storing food is rarely successful if you are not actually systematically using it. In other words, you need to store what you eat and eat what you store. This implies rotation or a “system.”
This is NOT advisable. Reason being – if an emergency struck prior to completing your food storage program, your family’s diet would be lopsided.
Thus, it is far better to store foods in “meals” simultaneously, with smaller initial goals. In other words, make a list of foods your family eats in one week’s time. Then work to complete that allotment.
Once you’ve stored in reserve one week’s worth of food, then seek to expand that to two week’s worth of food. Once you have accomplished that, pat yourself on the back. You’ve just accomplished what the United States government now recommends – to be able to be completely self-sustaining for 14 days. Just think of the peace this will bring.
But don’t stop there! The Mormon church (known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) at the Provident Living website recommends to first begin with a 3-month supply of foods your family is used to eating.
This is brilliant. Do you know? Because it fits the truism of storing what you eat and eating what you store. The reason the 3-month plan also works well is because you know your kids will eat what you’ve stored! (Studies have shown that in an emergency people need their comfort foods even more than usual. Additionally, researchers found that very young children and very old individuals preferred to starve during dire scenarios rather than eat new foods. Not too rational, but whenever is an emergency situation rational?)
Just know — a 3-month plan is only halfway there (OK, well, in truth, one-fourth the way there – we’re aiming for a year). The Lord’s prophets for years have proclaimed the importance of having a year’s supply of commodities: food, toiletries, medicine supplies, etc. Some have assumed this is for cataclysmic events, but speak to individuals who have had to use their food storage … usually it was for job loss or extended health issues, etc. Because they had a food supply, their children and family members were at least able to eat until a new job was found, etc. The entire family was very grateful for the parents who had stored up food and other items in a provident, wise manner.
There are many different approaches to beginning. Feel free to visit the Mormon church’s Provident Living website for some pointers. You could also visit this government emergency 14-day storage checklist to see how to break an emergency plan into small easy steps over time.
How urgent to do this in today’s world. Whether needed in an ice storm, a job loss, or a death, food storage brings peace of mind. Remember, start small, store what you like in the beginning, and build from there!
P.S. And don’t forget to store water!
