Whether you're planning for a flood, hurricane, or even more extreme events, storing food is critical for survival. Calculating food storage usually surprises people as well-- we just don't realize how much food we need to survive. And not just any food will keep you and your family sustained during an emergency, though. Learn what kind and how much food to store for your family to prepare for an emergency.
Decide on a Length of Time
As you're preparing your food storage stockpile, start with an understanding of the length of time you'll need to feed your family. For instance, if you're planning for a hurricane, earthquake, or major storm, you'll need to gather food and water to last your family for two weeks. For a long-term disaster, consider planning for an entire year. Use a food storage calculator to determine how much you'll need for one year.
Stockpile Grains
From flours to whole grains to pasta, grains are one of the first foods you should stockpile. Plan on a mix of flour, oats, rice, and pasta, and make sure to store the largest amount of the most versatile ingredient. For a yearlong stash, store 300 pounds of grains per person.
Keep in mind that as you're building your long-term food storage pantry, you should avoid purchasing any items that your family simply won't eat. No matter how nutritious they may be, if your family won't eat them, you shouldn't waste space or resources on unwanted foods.
Gather Legumes
Beans and legumes provide protein and energy that stand the test of time, which makes them another important component of any emergency food-storage stash. Like grains, plan to store a mix of beans for a variety of nutrition profiles. Gather pinto beans, black beans, lima beans, soybeans, split peas, and lentils, and store 60 pounds per person for one year.
Cache the Sugars
Sugar might seem like an optional indulgence when it comes to emergency food storage, but it's a necessity for many reasons. If you plan to bake with the grains you've stockpiled, white or brown sugar and molasses are important ingredients. To keep morale high during short- or long-term emergencies, jam and honey can become lifesavers. Store 60 pounds of assorted sugars and sweeteners per person for one year.
Collect Dried Foods
Whether you eat them for a snack or include them in a meal, dried foods add calories and variety to your emergency food stash. Stock up on freeze-dried meats for snacking or adding to soups and meals. For necessary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, collect dried fruits that last for years.
Consider Complete Meals
If your emergency plan involves less time cooking and more time expending energy on other survival tasks, stockpiling emergency food storage meals is a smart choice. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, these complete meals can fuel your family with oatmeal, granola, lasagna, creamy vegetable pasta, and many more entrée options. You'll want to select a combination of meals that provides you with enough calories to get through the day, so you might need to adjust the amount of food you store based on anticipated caloric needs.
Don't Forget the Water
Arguably more important than meals, water should be a critical component in your long-term food storage plan. Experts estimate that you'll need one gallon per person per day. While you can purchase bottled water for this purpose, you can also fill your own containers. Clean and sanitize two-liter soda bottles or plastic water jugs, and fill them with tap water. If you don't use the water, replace it every six months to keep your reserves fresh.
With so many unknowns on the horizon, it's vital to be prepared for any situation. Call MyFoodStorage at 888-407-0833 for help with calculating food storage, or to purchase individual items or complete meals for all your emergency sustenance needs.