Posted on 01/24/2010 7:51:38 AM PST by Kartographer
Store or Starve A beginner’s guide to food storage
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
~ Proverbs 6:6
I want people to store food not only for their sake, but for mine as well. I don’t want to decide which of my kids have to go hungry when you and your unprepared kin come knocking on my door. Contrary to progressive-collectivist thinking, every individual who takes care of themselves and their families benefits society by not becoming a burden. So take responsibility now and start today. Don’t expect the Feds to come by to hand you your ration of government-rationed cheese. You could be in for a long wait. Wait too long, and you may end up with a green-stained mouth from eating grass, like the poor Irish during the potato famine in the mid 1800’s. Or seriously reevaluate your aversion to cannibalism. Compared to those desperate methods, dumpster diving comes off as luxury cuisine.
An adult needs a minimum 2500 calories a day. More if you are physically active. This translates to about two pounds of food, plus a gallon of potable ("drinkable") water. To get started, follow this cardinal rule; Store what you eat, and eat what you store. Do not expect to suddenly acquire a taste for powered eggs or a jalapeno-spiced chili MRE in a long-term disaster. If you have children, they will be even more reluctant to eat such stuff. The next rule is not go into debt by spending thousands of dollars for pre-packaged foodstuffs. It kinda defeats the purpose if you have to eat your food supply because you have no money left after buying it.
Begin building your food storage by buying 2–3 extra items every time you shop at the grocery store. A few cans here, some bags and boxes there, and it will begin to add up. Look for sales, two-for-one specials, and coupon items. Set aside some space, and put the oldest stuff in front, and the newest in back. Rotate from back to front as you use it. If you have food items that are going to expire soon that you don’t have time to eat, donate them to a local food pantry for Karma points. There. You now have established a simple but effective short-term food storage system. Everything from here on will expand upon it.
The next step is to create a larger, stable environment to preserve your food supply over the long haul. Regardless if you live in a country mansion or a studio apartment, you need the following conditions to preserve food:
* Keep it airtight * Keep it cool * Keep it dark * Keep it dry * Keep it protected
Exposure to oxygen degrades food. I’ll cover one method to deal with that later. Temperature is the next concern. The goal is to keep food at 70° or below. For every 10 degrees cooler, food life doubles. Every 10 degrees warmer, it halves it. But at the same time, you want to keep it from freezing. Maintaining a stable and consistent temperature environment is the key. Avoid temperature extremes, like storing food in an unheated, un-insulated garage in a four-season environment. Basements make good root cellars. Real root cellars are even better. For those in suburban homes and apartments, a closet designated as a food pantry will serve. Metal trash cans, plastic tub containers, or buckets all lined with a 4-mil black trash liners will help insulate food from temperature extremes. They will also protect food from sunlight, which destroys nutrients, from moisture, which creates mold, and rodents, who will grow in swarming numbers as modern society falls apart. Buckets can be obtained at bakeries and food delis for free or at little cost. Hard pressed for space in you domicile? Put a trash can full of food in your living room, throw a nice cloth over it, add a lamp, and it doubles as an end table. Make a media center of boards supported by food buckets. Who said food storage isn’t fashionable?
Now back to the oxygen problem. As long as the can does not have a tell-tale bulge, signaling spoiled contents, canned goods are viable for many years past their expiration dates, notwithstanding a loss in nutritional value. Dry food packed in paper, cardboard boxes, or plastic are subject to oxygen spoilage over time. One solution is to repackage dry food items using food grade Mylar bags. These bags are an inexpensive method for those on a budget to customize their food storage to their personal needs and taste. Mylar is an excellent air and moisture barrier. It is said one can jump on a filled sealed bag and it won’t pop. But they need protection against punctures and gnawing vermin—hence they need to be stored in a protective container, like those mentioned above. The recommended base foods for long-term storage are wheat, oats, legumes, pasta, honey/sugar, and salt. These will easily last 20–30 years if packed and stored properly. Flour and dry milk are more finicky, and have a shelf life of only 5–10 years. If you or members of your family suffer from Celiac disease, and cannot consume gluten type foods such as wheat, substitute white rice instead. I do not recommend brown rice for long-term storage, as it contains oils that break down over time that causes it to spoil. Supplement your long term food with canned goods, MRE’s and others sundries. The eventual goal is to build a diverse storage of food for health, variety, and if necessary, portability.
Items needed for packaging food:
Food grade Mylar bags. I recommend minimum 4.5mm thick bags in one-gallon size. These will hold about 4–6 lbs, depending on the bulk of the food products. Besides commercial vendors, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also sells them online, along with other preparedness supplies. Their bags are 7mm thick. However, they only sell them in bulk, so 250 bags for $94 is probably more bags than you need. The Church also has food canneries throughout the US that sells these in smaller quality. One can purchase pre-packaged food or bring their own food to seal at cost at these centers.
500cc Oxygen absorber packets. It takes two of these for each one gallon, 11" x 13" or similar sized Mylar bags full of food. These packets come in a sealed bag with all the oxygen sucked out. If the bag is not flat, but puffy with air, the oxygen packets have been compromised. You will need a glass jar with a metal (not plastic) lid to store them after you open the bag. Or you can seal them in a Mylar bag. Ordinary plastic bags are no good for storing oxygen packets – they provide a poor air barrier. Oxygen packets will start to feel warm when activated by exposure to air. Take them out only when you have everything else all set to bag and seal. Make sure to close the lid to preserve the others.
5-gram silica gel desiccant. These absorb any residue moisture that may reside in your food, to prevent mold. I’ve talked to the people at our local LDS cannery, and they and others who have stored food for years have experienced no problems not using desiccant packets. Everything I’ve read online suggest you should put them in. Your call. I purchase mine on eBay for around 25 cents each.
Sealer. This is a very expensive piece of equipment. I like to use the one at our local church. Contact the local Bishop or a Mormon friend to arrange a time to use one. It comes with a foot pedal, making it easier to seal bags. An alternative is using a hot iron set on wool or cotton (Not the wife’s!) with a 2 x 4 piece of wood. Some find they can use conventional food sealers. But do your homework well, as it is for good reason that Mylar bags require industrial strength sealers compared to off-the-shelf food sealers.
Directions for sealing bags:
1. If using the LDS Church sealer, check that the settings are at Sealing: 3, Congealing: 6, Recycle: 2. Turn on the sealer and let it warm up for two minutes.
2. (Optional) Place two 5-gram silica gel packets at the bottom of the Mylar bag.
3. Pour flour, rice, grain, etc. in bag. This can be done single-handedly, but from experience, it is so much easier to have someone help holding the Mylar bag, as it is very slick and does not have a flat bottom to keep it upright. Flour and dry milk can be a pain because it "poofs" everywhere when pored in the bag. When it does, use a damp paper towel to clean up the inside of the top of the bags where it will be sealed together. Then apply a dry towel to remove any moisture. At this point, firmly bang the bag several times against the table to help settle the contents and reduce airspace between the food elements.
4. Place two 500cc oxygen packets on top of food. Be sure to keep the unused oxy packets sealed in an airtight container, so they will stay fresh.
5. Hold and pull tight both ends of the open bag, place in the sealer. Let the filled part of the bag drop down, to prevent food from coming up to opening and preventing a perfect seal. Hit the foot pedal. The seal bar will come down for 2–3 seconds to set the seal. I like to add a second seal to each bag for good measure. Check the seal by attempting to peel the opening apart. If the seal is secure, you won’t be able too. Also push on the bag and watch if any air leaks out. None should. For using an iron, place the Mylar bag opening on the 2 x 4, and press down. Some prefer to put a towel between the iron and the Mylar, but I’ve never scorched a bag yet.
6. Use a permanent marker to write the on bag the date, the weight, and the description on the bagged food. I like to include the brand name of the food, in case I have any problems with it, or is recalled by the FDA. For some things like powdered milk, I tape the mixing instructions on the bag.
Mylar bags may be cut in half or smaller to store smaller portions. Filled Mylar bags are very stiff and rigid. The bagged food will be a bit awkward to store in round containers like buckets and trashcans. Stack fragile food like pasta on top of the heavier, bulkier bagged foods. Large Mylar bags from vendors are available to store quantities up to 30 lbs in 5-gallon plastic buckets. Put one in, and fill up with the dry food product of your choice. Some recommend using dry ice on top of the food before sealing to displace oxygen in the bucket. I could not find any dry ice in my area, so put ten oxygen packets on top instead. Seal with a hot iron by pressing the Mylar against a 2 x 4 piece. Trim any excess from the sealed top edge of the bag with scissors to secure the Mylar bag into the bucket. This YouTube video gives excellent demonstration. Cover with a lid. I prefer Gamma screw-top lids on my buckets. They cost from $7–10 each, but are so much easier than popping and hammering lids off and on every time.
Other food storage methods include canning, both traditional glass jars and #10 metal cans. The latter can be done at a local LDS cannery center. Canning butter is very easy to do, without requiring a pressure cooker. DIY canned butter has a self-life up to five years. Dehydrating food is another valuable storage method.
A few more suggestions with building your food storage. Include fun foods to help break the monotony and uplift morale, such as hard candy, chocolate, powdered drinks, and dried fruit. Pick up some recipes on cooking the food you store, to add variety to your diet. When possible, supplement your food storage meals with garden vegetables, home grown sprouts, or ordinary dandelion leaves. Be careful of depending on a diet of MRE’s. While they are portable and convenient for traveling, they are short on fiber, and can be hard on the digestive system, especially with children and the elderly. They also negatively affect those who are gluten intolerant. On storing water, bottled water is okay if you are going to bug out, but for hunkering down, you need to think much bigger. For the cost of two cartons of bottled water, you can purchase a five-gallon water container. These are more practical if you need to go out and get your water replenished. Add half teaspoon of bleach per five gallons to keep it safe. Be sure to use only regular bleach, and not those with special or extra additives. If in doubt, boil it.
Whether a global disaster strikes or one becomes unemployed, food storage is the best insurance one can have in uncertain times. You will garner a better dividend on your food storage than any other investment. There’s more to improve upon than mentioned here, such as progressing to the next level from food storage to food production. But you have enough info to get started. So no more excuses. Get working on your food storage today. And don’t forget the can opener.
He who fails to prepare for the night, fails to prepare for the dawn.
I am a survivalalist and by nature a survivalist is an OPTIMIST. I do not have one pessimistic bone in my body. If what I just said sounds odd to you then you are not yet a survivalist and you do not understand the modern survivalist at all. It has been very difficult to communicate to the public and the mass communications media, the concept of an optimistic, hopeful survivalist.
A fireman is a fireman, not because he believes everything will burn, but because he believes much can be saved. Doctors don't believe in death, they believe in life, and a survivalist is not a survivalist becuase he beleives everything must be destroyed and everyone must die, he beleives that life and freedom can be saved, if people of good will are prepared. A fireman does not start fires, a doctor does not make disease and a survivalist does not make disaster.
Crime, disease, war, revolution, fire, flood, periodic financial collapse and famine are the results of nature and the nature of man and unfortunately are not within the power of anyone on this earth to prevent.
We all know that the sun will set each day, leaving us in darkness and we all know that warm summers give way to cold winters and that we can do nothing to keep the sun from setting ot the cold winds from coming, does this make us pessimistic? I think not! So then why is the survivalist called a pessimist when he makes ready to face events that are just as much part of history and nature as the sunset and changing of the seasons.
Another misconception is that survivalists are predicting world disaster. On the contrary, we seem to be the OPTIMISTIC MINORITY that is predicting world survival. We are hard pressed to find any well recommended historians, economists, political scientists, sociologists or military strategists that can come up with a scenario that gives even a fifty-fifty chance of avioding a large scale catastrophe, yet we survivalist dare to be OPTIMISTIC about the future. We survivalists do not need to predict the probability of disater anymore than we need to predict the sun setting.
Those who critize survivalists, are like men who refuse to look at a calendar, in the hope that through self-imposed ignorance they can keep from aging another year.
"You survivalists will be disappointed if we don't have a world cataclysm", here is another accusation that is pure B.S. and I could not think of a milder phrase to describe it. We survivalists have loved ones we don't want to see hurt or killed, we have homes we don't want to see destroyed, we are not fools to think that just because we are suvrvivalists a world cataclysm would be fun for us or the we would not experiance danger, loss, hunger, injury, cold or even despair and death.
We have spent time and money to improve our chances for survival and recovery from disaster, but we would have a great celebration if some day we could be assured that we had wasted our time. No, we will not be disappointed if there is no disaster to survive, anymore than the Red Cross is disappointed when there are no floods and storms or the man who buys an insurance policy is disappointed when his house fails to burn down.
It may be said that the survivalist would much prefer the pleasant (but unlikely) surprise of being wrong to the (probable) deadly rude awakening that the nonsurvivalist will face if he is wrong.
So, you see the survivalist can not lose because his survival prepartions will be of value regardless of what the future has in store. In time of crisis, those who have not prepared to turn to each other, will turn on each other.
It is most regrettable indeed, that many people consider survivalists as a threat and regard them with suspicion and even hostility. This attitude is logically indefensible and is rooted in the nonsurvivalists own sense of fear and guilt. Subconsciously, the nonsurvivalist may hate the survivalist for reminding him of how fragile his lifestyle is. Now, let's get the facts turned around right. THE MOST DANGEROUS PEOPLE IN AMERICA TODAY ARE THE NONSURVIVALists. Every person who has not made provisions for surviving without food, water, fuel and other essential needs from the outside, is a mortal danger to his neighbors.
What will a man do when he and his family are freezing, hungry, thirsty, sick and starving? He may ask or beg his neighbors for help, but when they have no extra fuel, food, water or medicine to give, will he just go back home to die with his wife and kids? What do you think? We survivalists who stock up on food and other supplies, now do a favor to society because what we now buy is replaced on the shelves so there will be that much more available in an emergency. We survivalists won't be looting and killing for food. We won't be a burden on the medical facilities or a danger to the police. Since we will be able to turn to each other, we will not need to turn on anyone and we may be able to help at least some.
Survival preparation should be regarded as a social obligation, one that every individual owes to his family and community and his nation. The nonsurvivalist is simply a poor and irresponsible citizen.
So the reality is, that survivalists are optimistic, self-reliant individuals, who cannot help but see the imperitive of preparing for the worst possible events, while hoping sincerely, that they won't happen. Today's survivalist is an asset to his community and to the world and should be proud to be called SURVIVALIST.
(Original author unknown to this poster)
then no one survives.
Remember the parable of the women with the lamps on the journey to meet the bridegroom. When those who didn't heed advice and carry extra oil and trim their wicks, ran out - they asked those who had prepared, to share.
They were told, sorry, but if we share with you then none of us will make it
another point: Be careful who you let know you HAVE storage. Beside those who may decide to take your food, the gov't already has in place - should the 'need' arise - to call your storage "a hoard" you a "hoarder" and therefore a criminal. They will take your food and give it all those who didn't plan ahead...like themselves
I grew up in northern Maine - still in Maine - but I don't know's I could live as far north as you. A bit too cold and I couldn't make it through the long, sunless winters.
But moose stew - oh yeah.
Or if you have the finances, simply buy Mountain House dried foods that have a shelf-life of 30 years. You could even eat them out of the box without water, although that would suck, but you could survive.
http://www.mountainhouse.com/
When the shit hits the fan, wanna trade food for water? I doubt any of you would go apocalypse on me with a 870 facing you down.
We're prepared. Try to come close. I have killed only one man if my life, but when the bottom hits, I'm ready. The love of my life is what will make your kneeds bleed, not to mention your groin.
I'm 60, in shape, can fire a weapon, and run circles around men my age. I know where to aim to give the most pain. I will not kill you - I will make you wish I have put a simple quick bullet into your stupid brain. But I won't. I will blow out your ankles, then your knees, then your groin, and you will be spilling every suck as al-Queda shithead idea you ever had.
Yes, I will do that if given the chance. Do you have any concept how much it hurts to have a knee or elbow blown off? I want that so much. But of course, our stupid president is going to give you rights if you only surrender. Here's a clue...there are many radical Americans just waiting for the opportunity to take out your gentitals. You know, the parts that you get to use as a cover for your jihad. We're getting wise...you're in trouble.
So now bin Laden says the West should stop fighting you murderous pricks because we support Israel. Do you fuacks have any idea how rediculous your demands are?
First it was because the West was involved in the Middle East. Then it was about the West's involvement in other ME matters. Now it's about the Wests' support of Israel. Sheesh, you simpletons are stupid beyond rational belief.
And guess what? The West will kill you! You send one stupid Yeman trained bomber on a plane and you still couldn't make it happen. Al-Queda is neutered.
Hide asshole, hide. We're coming after you. You have no where to go. Even your best buddies in Pakistan are looking to KILL you every day, and doing a fine job. Just go away and live your lifes with your goats. Keep pretending you are revelant. Us bad Westerners know the score. You are nothing but punks. We are dedicated to blowing you into pieces and not allowing you to experience your 72 virgins.
Sorry shitheads, many of our Troops are coating bombs with PIG grease. "Justice is coming, and hell is coming with us". Either you back off, or the USA and others will keeping killing all of you. Your cause WILL be decimated if you don't stop.
You want to subjicate women; you want to kill women for being raped; you want to control and execute for the slightest infractions? It's going to end. It did in Iraw...you're next!
It's already written into law - should they declare martial law...
Those who have stored supplies will be deemed criminal HOARDERS - and there supplies taken.
And I wouldn't bet any one who resisted wouldn't be shot.
Word to the wise: be very careful who you let know you have storage. You'd be surprised who will turn on you in a crisis.
Learn how to forage for wild plants/foods in your state...
What if someone DOES take your storage foods - or, in the case of the gov’t ‘confiscate your hoard’?
And what if you have to leave your home -
or just to supplement...know which plants/foods are edible in the wilds. Ditto, which plants are good for medicinal uses. (Also, learn which herbs/plants you can grow for use as medicinals.)
So I’ve heard. I know someone who used to make indelible ink out of walnut shells as a kid.
The outside deteriorates eventually, but usually not before the squirrels get to them.
What with what walnuts cost in the stores, it sure would be nice to have my own “organic” walnuts.
For anyone interested in harvesting black walnuts, here is a link.
http://www.gardengrapevine.com/Walnuts.html
We have three trees on our property and several on the properties around us. For some reason, they are plentiful here. Anyway, I’ve often been tempted to do something about the nuts as it’s a free source of food. This year, I think I will.
They are messy trees and when they are dropping nuts, hazardous to mow under, but it should be worth learning to harvest them. I may kick myself for not doing it sooner.
Ping to post 160
More than likely, they think that survivalists WILL share. Another mistake.
I would say that we have nothing to spare. It's not lying because we don't have any to spare. We have enough for us.
I have enough shotgun shells to last me some time, I pick them up when they are on sale. The storage ideas here for food supplies are great, but you also need to get your powder dry as well. I keep my ammo in Military ammo cans I have an advantage I can get them free on a regular basis. In addition the keeping ammo dry they also work great for keeping hardware (screws, nails, duct tape) dry.
Food and water will be a priority in a survival situation, but survival skills are nearly as important.
Those who have stored supplies will be deemed criminal HOARDERS ..."
Would you please let us know where we can find this particular law in online text? I'd really like to read it.
I have supplies and skills to barter with, as well.
You’d be surprised at how few people have any idea about canning or sewing.
Mr. mm can fix about anything, but especially heating systems.....
later.
I am a CubScout leader and it does amaze me how few people have BASIC survival skills, I love taking the families out in the woods camping and teach them, but it is also frustrating to see grown adults that have no ability to start a fire, or build a shelter. When the proverbial "poo hits the fan" there are going to be a ton of clueless people.
Seriously 16 year olds are fair game around here. Most of them a POS punks.
All my neighbors know that looting will not be tolerated. Oh and my street is full of Mormons and they are ok with that as long as I do the dirty work.
Fixed that.
My current stock is good for a couple of years. I will keep the expiration issue in mind. What I have stored is for the potential coming chaos in an obamanation. thanks for the thoughts.
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