3 month food supply

Did you say food storage? I am not an expert, nor do I have all of my food storage ready and set to go, ut I might have something to contribute to this topic. This fall I was called to be on the emergency preparedness committee in our new ward. We are trying to get an emergency preparedness fair organized and I am specifically working on the food storage area, focusing on the new recommendation from the church to have at least a three month supply of food you eat on a day to day basis. I am really grateful that the church has changed their focus for food storage. I had started gathering some of the “1 month supply” boxes from the church cannery but wondered if I would really know how to use the stuff I was gathering.

My family has a three month supply and we keep it in our pantry as well as on some shelves in the closet under our stairs. We live in a house but we have no garage and no basement so storage issues remain for us. Most of my 3 month supply consists of cans, box meals, pasta, flour, sugar, powdered milk, etc. Things that are easy to store and are food we regularly eat. We also have toilet paper, diapers, wipes, soap, and things like that. What I severely lack is water storage, any recommendations for that? I have more info on food storage but I fear this post will be gigantic! Here are some gathering recommendations that I have been putting together for our upcoming fair. If you have any other ideas let me know! Keep in mind this is specifically for the 3 month supply.

· Make a plan: Determine how fast you can gather your three month food supply depending on your budget. 3 month supply of food = 270 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) The size of meal and type of meal depends on family size and preference.

· "Tithe" for food storage: set aside a regular percentage of each week's grocery budget for food storage. Even a few dollars a week will start the process of stocking and maintaining food storage.

· Buy on sale: take advantage of supermarket promotions and coupons to stock up. If it's a food storage candidate and it's on sale, buy multiples!

· Buy in bulk: bulk-buying for food storage really pays off. Using the food storage "tithe", buy the 25-pound sack of bread flour for $3.89 at the warehouse store, rather than spend $1.39 for the supermarket's five-pound bag. You'll save and stock up at the same time!

· The church cannery: The church has a fantastic resource for us to use and it is perfect for stocking up on basic items. Try to order a little at a time or use your food storage tithes for larger purchases.

· Plant: Try out your green thumb and plant a vegetable garden. Plant things that grow well in the area, that might be easy to store, and that you will use. Learn how to can your excess crop. This can be extremely satisfying even if you only have a container garden on your apartment balcony. Buy and store seeds for your food supply, you may need them later!

· Replace, replace, replace: Make sure you add the things you use to your shopping list so that you are constantly using and replacing what you have stored. This will keep your storage fresh and you will never be caught off guard.

· Gather at your own pace: We have been counseled to gather food but to do so with care. We should not go into debt to gather our food storage.