Introduction
When it comes to food storage for emergency preparedness, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you want to have enough non-perishable food to last you and your family for at least three days. This means having enough food that does not need to be refrigerated or cooked. Second, you want to make sure that the food you have stored is high in calories and nutritious so that it can sustain you if you are unable to cook or if electricity is not available. Lastly, you want to have a variety of foods so that you do not get bored with your emergency ration.
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s dive into how much food you should store for prepping. The amount of non-perishable food you should store really depends on the size of your family and how long you want to be prepared for. If you have a family of four and want to be prepared for three days, then you will need to store 12 meals worth of food. This equates to approximately 48 cans of soup or 72 cups of dry cereal. If your family is larger or you want to be prepared for longer than three days, then you will need to increase the amount of food you store accordingly.
One final note on food storage: it is important to rotate your emergency ration every six months so that the food does not go bad. You can either do this by eating the oldest foods first and replenishing your supply as needed, or by packaging the food in airtight containers with oxygen absorbers (which remove oxygen from the air) and storing them in a cool, dark place.
The Basics of Food Storage
One of the most common questions I get asked is “How much food should I store for prepping?” The answer to that question depends on a lot of factors including the number of people in your household, how long you want to be able to survive without going to the grocery store, and your budget. In this article, I’m going to give you some general guidelines for food storage so you can figure out what works best for you.
The Three Types of Food Storage
There are three main types of food storage: short-term, long-term, and emergency. Short-term food storage is used on a daily or weekly basis and contains foods that will be eaten in the near future. Long-term food storage is for items that will be eaten months or even years from now. Emergency food storage is for those items that you might need in the event of a natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances.
Short-Term Food Storage:
Short-term food storage is for items that you will eat within the next week or so. This type of food should be kept in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. Examples of short-term food storage items include:
-canned goods
-dry goods such as flour, sugar, and rice
-fresh fruits and vegetables
-milk and dairy products
Long-Term Food Storage:
Long-term food storage is for items that you will not need for several months or even years. This type of food should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place such as a basement or root cellar. Examples of long-term food storage items include:
-canned goods
-dry goods such as flour, sugar, and rice
-dried fruits and vegetables
-honey and syrup
-jams and jellies
Emergency Food Storage:
Emergency food storage is for those items that you might need in the event of a natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances. This type of food should be kept in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. Examples of emergency food storage items include: water, non-perishable foods, manual can opener, first aid kit
Short-Term Food Storage
Short-term food storage is for foods that will be eaten within two weeks. This includes the food in your pantry, fridge, and freezer.
To build a short-term food storage supply, start by evaluating what you already have. Use foods from your short-term storage to create meals so they don’t go to waste. Then, purchase items you regularly eat to stock your shelves. When buying grocery items, look for sales and purchase in bulk when possible.
In general, you should aim to have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods on hand. This number increases if you have infants or small children, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have medical needs or live in a hot climate where perishables would spoil quickly.
Medium-Term Food Storage
This is food that you plan to eat within the next few months, but not necessarily right away. It should be stored in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cupboard.
Here are some examples of items you might want to include in your medium-term food storage:
-Canned goods
-Dry goods (flour, sugar, rice, pasta)
-Condiments
-Spices
-Oils and vinegar
-Baking supplies
Long-Term Food Storage
When it comes to long-term food storage, you need to think about two things: shelf life and nutrition.
Shelf life is the amount of time a food can be stored before it goes bad. The key to long-term food storage is to find foods that have a long shelf life. This way, you can stockpile food and not have to worry about it going bad anytime soon.
Nutrition is also important for long-term food storage. You want to make sure that the foods you are storing are nutritious and will help you stay healthy in the long run. This means storing foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
There are a few different ways to store food for the long term. The most common method is to use containerized storage. This involves placing food in containers (usually made of plastic or glass) and then sealing them tight. Containerized storage is great because it keeps out oxygen and light, two things that can cause food to go bad quickly.
Another option for long-term food storage is vacuum sealing. This involves using a vacuum sealer to remove all of the air from a bag before sealing it shut. This method is very effective at keeping out oxygen and extending the shelf life of food.
Finally, you can also store food in Mylar bags. Mylar bags are made of a special type of plastic that blocks out oxygen and light. You can store foods in Mylar bags without vacuum sealing them, but doing so will extend the shelf life even further.
How Much Food Should I Store?
A lot of people ask me how much food they should store for prepping. My answer is always the same, it depends on a few factors. How many people are in your family? What is your budget? How much space do you have? These are all important factors to consider when deciding how much food to store.
The Rule of Threes
The rule of threes is a general guideline that suggests how much food and water an individual should have in case of an emergency. The rule goes as follows:
-An individual needs three minutes without air.
-An individual needs three hours without shelter.
-An individual needs three days without water.
-An individual needs three weeks without food.
This rule is a general guideline and does not account for all variables, such as climate, physical activity, etc. It is important to tailor your food storage to your specific situation and needs.
Calculating Your Food Storage Needs
When you’re first starting out, it can be difficult to know how much food to store. You don’t want to overstock your pantry and waste money on food that you’ll never use, but you also don’t want to be caught in a situation where you don’t have enough food.
There are a few different factors that you need to consider when calculating your food storage needs:
-How many people are in your household?
-What is your average monthly food budget?
-How often do you go to the grocery store?
-What is your preferred method of food storage (canned goods, dried goods, etc)?
Once you have a good understanding of your current eating habits, you can start to make changes that will help you transition into a more emergency-prepared lifestyle. For example, if you typically go to the grocery store once a week and spend $100 on groceries, you can start slowly stocking up so that you have enough food to last for two weeks. This will help cut down on your monthly food budget and give you a better idea of how much food you actually need to store.
Keep in mind that these guidelines are just meant to be a starting point – everyone’s needs are different and it’s important to tailor your food storage plan to fit your own unique circumstances.
Conclusion
The amount of food you need to store for prepping depends on a few factors, such as the type of disasters you want to be prepared for, the number of people in your household, and your personal preferences. A good rule of thumb is to store enough food for three to seven days, but always err on the side of caution and have more food than you think you need.
In terms of specific items, aim to have canned goods, non-perishable items, water, and a way to cook food on hand. If you want to be extra prepared, you can also invest in an emergency food supply kit. Remember that prepping is about being prepared for the unexpected, so make sure to tailor your food storage plans to fit your specific needs.