There are many practical reasons to create a food storage supply for a month or more. A food storage supply will help you save money and hold off on grocery shopping when an unexpected bill arrives. Think of it as food insurance against unforeseen financial hardship. Though it can seem overwhelming, it doesn’t need to be. These food storage tips will help you to quickly start growing your supply.
Practical Storage Tips
- Create a space separate from your kitchen pantry for your extended food supply. A spare closet, a few shelves in the laundry room, or even a tote under the bed.
- Stock groceries that you can put together for a meal. Plan meals that you know your family will like.
- Make a list of the items you need and purchase when you can afford to.
- Prioritize protein with canned tuna, chicken or salmon. Stock up on beans such as lentils, keep an extra carton of eggs in the fridge and easy to prepare meats in the freezer.
- Don’t waste your money on expensive storage containers but make sure your food is protected from pests.
- Rotate items from your extended pantry every month or two to make sure items don’t expire. This will also reveal a need for items you may not have thought of.
- Keep it simple and try to stock nourishing foods as much as possible.
- Be careful with storing flour, oats and other grain products. If these items are stored for too long they can get bugs in them. Freezing the items first can help prevent it but it is best to use them up with in a couple months.
- Store baking supplies such as yeast, baking powder, sugar and flour (keep a bag in the freezer for long term use). Get in the habit of baking from scratch.
- Organize your kitchen pantry so that you can easily see when items are out. Another of the food storage tips is to stock extra of the items you use often.
- Challenge yourself to skip grocery shopping one week, or to buy as little as possible. This is a great way to use up items and learn if you need to add item to your storage supply.
Having a good food storage supply, especially one that is shelf stable, is important for your family’s safety. Not only will this protect your family in case of an emergency but it also is a safety precaution against illness or financial troubles. Shop within your budget. Even just buying an item or two a week, will get you a decent supply pretty quickly.
