Things to Consider When You Buy Food Storage Items
After reading all the headlines about natural disasters you decide to buy food storage supplies and prepare for an emergency if it should occur. So, now what? There are a few things you need to know about buying food storage items.
What type of food storage containers will you need?
The best types of food storage containers should be durable, reusable, resistant to pests such as insects and rodents, airtight and be the right size for the items you are storing. Size of the storage container is very important. If the container is too large it will trap air inside the container. Air is a contributing cause of spoilage. Another factor to consider when you buy food storage containers is the weight of the container with the food in it. A 50 gallon drum holds lots of water. But a gallon of water weights approximately 8.5 pounds. That means that a 50 gallon drum of water will weigh 425 pounds . Unless you plan on having a fork lift handy when you need to move the drum it will be better to use 5 gallon containers to store water. Other factors to look at when picking the type of food storage container you will use is how easy it is to seal. Will the seal stay airtight even when the container is thrown around like it might be in an earthquake?
Should you buy food storage items in bulk?
Bulk foods are usually the most economical way to buy food storage items. Especially food items such as rice, beans, oatmeal, and flour. Dried and dehydrated foods are excellent items to buy in bulk. Cooking oils should not be bought in bulk. cooking oil can spoil or go rancid. The primary cause of this is over exposure to air and moisture. Air and water are your worst enemies in long term storage. Oils that are processed and sealed in an airtight container at the factory will have the least exposure to air and water as they are shipped and handled.
What type of foods should you buy for your food storage needs?
The types of foods you should buy for your storage needs should mirror what you already have in your kitchen. If your family loves macaroni you should have macaroni in your food storage supply. Select a variety of foods that you like and that you will eat. Don't forget your favorite seasonings too. Of course, you will want to the basic staples too such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, oatmeal, beans, rice, and pasta. Canned and dried meats should also be included as a ready source of protein and fats. In a survival situation you will likely require more calories than you usually consume so it's a good idea to have some items that have a "high calorie density" such as trail mixes that provide energy and little or no preparation required.
How much food and non-food items should you have on hand?
You should ideally have enough food items on hand for at least a 30 day supply. Many experts will tell you that a 2 week supply will probably get you through 90% of any crisis you will experience. However, if you have a 30 day or more supply of food it can act as a valuable support to you and your family for not only natural disasters but financial ones as well. If you were to become unemployed for one to three months having a six month supply of food on hand would probably help you get through the crisis a lot easier than if you have to worry about making an unemployment check stretch to cover both a mortgage and groceries. Another thing to consider is non-food items such as batteries, flashlights, trashbags, a non electric can opener and maybe even a tent in case your house is non-inhabitable. You really will want enough batteries to power your portable lanterns for at least two weeks to a month. one can opener may be enough. But what if it breaks? You may not be able to run to the corner store and replace it. For essential non-food items its usually a good idea to have two of them just in case. Also don't forget replacement bulbs for the flashlights or lanterns. bulbs always burn out just when you need them. Paper plates and other disposable items should be considered. The first few days of a disaster things like water and the ability to clean dishes may be limited.