With the state of today's economy being on shaky ground, you want to make sure you have a firm foundation with your Home Food Storage.
When planning your home storage, you want to make sure you follow these easy guidelines: 1.
Select the Food you and your family enjoy.
Make sure you are storing the foods that your family will eat! Of course you will want the staples; wheat, sugar, salt and milk.
However, you will want to supplement that with other items as well - such as pasta, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, and other kinds of drinks.
There is also a wide selection of dehydrated meats to choose from.
In addition, it is important to store 'fun' items as well.
If you are going to be utilizing your food storage for an extended period of time, you want to have different food items that are easy to prepare and fun to eat, such as pudding, candy, Jell-O and brownies.
Remember, if your food storage consists of items that your family cannot or will not eat, then even the most carefully planned menus will be useless! 2.
Baking and Seasonings.
A few items that are usually overlooked when putting up food for a rainy day are the 'Other Staples' that are needed.
Don't forget the oil, shortening, baking soda, baking powder and assorted spices you use in your everyday cooking.
Yeast and powdered eggs are also important additions to everyday cooking and baking of even the most basic recipes.
Make sure you have a good cook book so that if you are unsure how to proceed in creating a menu, you have step by step directions.
Just because you are eating bulk foods, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor! Once you get used to using dehydrated foods in recipes, you can take your own favorite recipes and make substitutions.
3.
How to Store your Bulk Foods.
When you purchase your bulk foods, chances are it is in bags or large boxes.
You will want to transfer your food to regular food storage containers that are easily stored and stacked.
Make sure the containers are marked and dated for easy rotation.
When your dehydrated foods are correctly stored, you don't have to worry about moisture, rodents or insects getting to your groceries before you do! Don't stack your containers too high, you don't want the lid to break open or have them to fall and crack.
Trash bags are not to be used, as they are usually treated with pesticides.
I have found that the best containers to use are the #10 cans that most food storage companies package their bulk foods in.
If you follow these 3 easy steps, preparing and using your food storage will be a lot easier.
Be prepared and when the time comes, you will be ready and organized to take care of your family and loved ones.