Getting the Most out of Your Food Storage: Part #1

Getting the Most out of Your Food Storage: Part #1

How we store food has changed quite a bit over the years. It used to be that food storage was done only by a small set of people that were looked at as extreme or on the fringes. Today, that perception has completely changed. Storing food in your home is not only widely accepted but is considered to be a very wise and prudent choice. In my own house growing up, we had a large storage room under our garage where we kept all kinds of food and other supplies for the family. My mom loved it because it was like she could go “shopping” in her own home and I thought it was cool that we had all of this food. My friends on the other hand thought it was a little crazy. Times have definitely changed.

I want to talk to you about how we can get the best value out of our food storage investment. I believe in keeping it simple. With our current economy we need to stretch every dollar to take care of our families. So, let’s keep it simple and focus on the following topics:Defining short term and long term food storageWhat should I get first?Filling out your food storage: identifying gaps and filling them.Short term food storageDivide your food storage into two categories: short term and long term. Almost everybody has some amount of short term food storage. Short term food storage is food that will store for 2 years or less. Typically, this is food that you purchased at your local grocer and already have in your pantry. It includes items such as canned food, dry prepared foods and cooking basics. Pretty much everything in your pantry will store for at least 2 years. This constitutes your short term food storage.You should have at least a 2 week supply of short term food storage. This food you rotate regularly because you are eating it every day. Most of the mistakes people make with their short term food storage are a result of confusing long term food storage with short term food storage. Here are the common mistakes people make with their short term food storage or food in their pantry:

1. They don’t buy what they eat - People end up buying what is on sale and not considering what their family actually eats. With your short term food items, it is especially important to make sure you buy food that your family will eat because it doesn’t store for very long. If you don’t use a lot of Cream of Celery soup when you cook, then don’t go out and buy a couple of cases of it. It is money that you could be using in other areas of your food storage.

2. They buy too much of one thing – Nalley Chili or Pasta Roni is on sale so you go out and buy cases of the stuff only to have it sit on your shelf for years. Be careful not to overbuy. Give yourself variety.

3. They don’t know what they have – Keep your short term food storage organized so you can see what you have. It is easy to make mistake #2 if you don’t know what is in the pantry.So, bottom line with short term food storage is:Have at least a 2 week supply of foodBuy what you eatDon’t buy too much of one thingKeep it organized