August 2011 Emergency Preparedness Newsletter- 1 year of food storage
Most Likely Long Term Emergencies
· Unemployment, national average time it takes to get a new job after a lay off is 8 months (as of March 2011).
· Breadwinner become disabled.
· Major disruption of transportation lines (gas shortages, train or truckers job strike, major earthquake destroying roads into area, etc)
· Terrorist attack
· EMP pulse nuke or strong Solar Flare that fries microchips: all newer cars, all computers in a multi state area or nationwide area would be useless.
Where to store it
The first step in getting together a years supply of food storage is knowing where to put it. The ideal place would be a basement with no windows, lots of deep shelves, and a rotating system for canned items with short shelf lives.
Do not place canned food directly on concrete floors as it can ruin the canned food over time. Storing your food in the attic is the worst place you can because of the heat, the garage is often a close second unless you regulate the temperature in your garage.
For those living in apartments or without a storage room having food storage under beds is a great option. #10 cans are 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall. Under a crib you can fit 32 cans, Twin beds can fit 72, cans and queen beds can fit 117.
Listed below are websites with food storage rotating system plans or ideas: http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Rotating-Canned-Food-Shelf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCnXfO7YMfk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qH_KcPY_WI&feature=related
http://i-refuse-to-recede.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-to-build-self-rotating-can-rack.html
I also like having a large pantry close to the kitchen. If your 3 month food storage items are too hard to get to then you’re unlikely to use it. This is why under a beds is bad for your 3 months storage. If you have a small apartment like me you can use bookshelves, china cabinets or other similar furniture nearby your kitchen. KSL.com, DI, and yard sales are all great places to find such furniture for cheap. If you like woodworking you could build your own.
Three Month Supply
Rather than starting with wheat and beans the church now recommends that members start their food storage like they do their financial storage: by setting aside little by little without going into debt. Buy a few extra of the canned goods and boxed goods you normally eat each time you go to the grocery store. Before long you should have a fully stocked pantry. Make sure you rotate food coming in and out so it doesn’t expire.
Why start this way rather than buy a bunch of wheat and beans? Because emergencies will be easier handled eating your normal food rather than switching to plain wheat and beans.
I don’t have a schedule or specific plan for you because each family is different. Just look at how much you have budgeted for food each month and then increase this by $20, $50 or whatever you are budgeting for your food storage to buy goods of what you normally eat. Continue until you have 3 months worth. This really costs you nothing but planning.
1st Presidency’s Message
(From All is Safely Gathered In Pamphlet)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.
We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.
We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.
We realize that some of you may not have financial resources or space for such storage. Some of you may be prohibited by law from storing large amounts of food. We encourage you to store as much as
circumstances allow.
May the Lord bless you in your home storage efforts.
The First Presidency
Long Term Food Storage
The church’s suggested amount of long term food storage is 25 lbs of grain and 5 lbs of beans per month. The list I have will show how to compile a years supply of food for two people over 12 months for $75 per month. While I would prefer to have more variety than is found in this to prevent appetite fatigue, I’ve included what is necessary to live.
If you’re on a tight budget than have longer amounts between buying each item or smaller amount of each. You’re better off with a three or six months supply of food than none at all.
4 y/o and under need 50% of an adults portion.
5-11 y/o need 80%, 12 y/o and older need 100%.
You should have 600 lbs grains, 120 lbs beans, 100 lbs dairy, 100 lbs sweeteners, and 4 gallons of oil.
The listed items can all be obtained at the LDS Springville cannery east of Walmart.
Years worth of food storage buying schedule
Item Cost
August 22 cans wheat (128 lbs) $77.00
September 8 cans black beans (44 lbs) $36.40
8 cans pinto beans (42 lbs) $37.60
October 19 cans white rice (108 lbs) $76.00
December 13 cans sugar (79 lbs) $78.00
January 9 cans of dry milk (37 lbs) $77.40
February 8 cans white beans (42 lbs) $34.00
3 cans sugar (18 lbs) $18.00
Oil, Salt, Leavening, Spices $23.00
March 22 cans wheat (128 lbs) $77.00
April 9 cans dry milk (37 lbs) $77.40
May 22 cans Flour (106 lbs) $74.80
June 9 cans dry milk (37 lbs) $77.40
July 22 cans wheat (128 lbs) $77.00
Future Newsletters
Sept: Canning and water storage
Oct: Unemployment, disability and insurance
Nov: Civil Unrest and Home protection
If you have any questions or comments of past or future newsletters please contact Jared Hale at jaredjhale@gmail.com
