It’s no secret that the world is a dangerous place. Natural disasters can, and will, happen. And when they do, being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. One of the best ways to ensure your safety in times of crisis is by having a food storage plan in place. But where do you start? And how much food should you store?
Please keep in mind that this is the bare minimum, my friends. The amount will depend on how many people are in your family and the ages of those you will need to feed and prepare food for to survive. We need to start somewhere, and this list may help those getting started.
Items I Highly Recommend:
- Can Opener
- Larger Can Opener
- Electric Can Opener (not everything is for power outages)
- Whisk
- 5-Gallon Buckets with Gamma Lids
- 6-Quart Rubbermaid Containers with Lids
How to Kick Start Your Food Storage Plan
What is a food storage plan?
A food storage plan is simply a way of ensuring that you have a stockpile of food that can last you and your family for a period of time in case of an emergency. This could be anything from a natural disaster to a power outage. Having a food storage plan means that you will always have something to eat, no matter what happens.
25 Pounds of Flour
To get your food storage plan going, you will need to start with a good supply of flour. This is a basic ingredient that can be used in many different ways, so it is a good idea to have a lot on hand. You can use it to make bread, pancakes, cookies, and more. Please learn to make bread. This is my no-fail recipe, if you start with fresh ingredients. Easy To Make Bread For One
20 Pounds of Pinto Beans
A food storage plan needs at least 20 pounds of pinto beans. This is a versatile legume that can be used in many different ways. Pinto beans can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or even as the main ingredient in vegetarian chili. In case you missed this post, Homemade Vegetarian Chili
20 Pounds of Rice
Rice is another basic ingredient that you will need for your food storage plan. It is a good idea to have at least 20 pounds on hand. Rice can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or even as the main ingredient in dishes like stir-fry. A good thing about rice is that it goes a long way. Watch what happens when you cook the rice and see how it expands as it absorbs the water.
10 Pounds of Pasta
Pasta is another versatile ingredient that you will need for your food storage plan. It can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or even as the main ingredient in dishes like macaroni and cheese. Like rice, pasta also goes a long way. When you put some in a pot to cook you’ll think it isn’t enough for a family meal. Then you see it expand as it cooks and absorbs the water.
25 Cans of Fruit
Canned fruit is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a snack, in desserts, or even as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. Base your purchases on the fruits your family likes. There are so many options based on the variety of fruit, the brand, the size of cans, etc. I’m sure you can find a number of choices your family will love.
25 Cans of Vegetables
Canned vegetables are another good addition to your food storage plan. They can be used as a side dish, in soups and stews, or even as the main ingredient in dishes like ratatouille. Like fruits, there are a lot of veggies that come in cans, so your choices will seem endless.
25 Cans of Meat
Canned meat is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a main dish, in soups and stews, or even as an emergency food ration. We have found the canned chicken breasts from Costco to work well in salads, sandwiches, and other recipes calling for chicken. Give it a try, you’ll enjoy it, I promise.
10 Pounds of Instant Milk
Instant milk is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a drink, in cereal, or even in baking. Fresh milk is great to have in the fridge at all times. But, in emergencies that fresh gallon will be consumed in short order. Having instant milk gives you the comfort that you can still make those recipes calling for milk.
3 Pounds of Salt/10 pounds of Sugar
Salt is a necessary ingredient for any food storage plan. It can be used to preserve food, add flavor to dishes, or even as a survival tool. We use sugar in many recipes, 10 pounds would be the bare minimum.
10 Pounds of Oats
Oats of various kinds are a good addition to your food storage plan. They can be used as a breakfast cereal, in baking, or even as a healthy snack. Many of us don’t realize how many packaged food products are made with oats. They are healthy and can help keep you “regular” due to the fiber content.
25 Gallon of Honey/ One Gallon of Coconut Oil
Honey is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a sweetener, in baking, or even as a medicine. Please store your honey in quart jars, in case it crystallizes. If it does, you can set a quart of the honey outside in the sun to soften or melt it back to its original form. Coconut is a good oil to start with, I store olive, and vegetable oil as well.
15 Jars of Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti sauce is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a pasta sauce, in soups and stews, or even as the main ingredient in lasagna. Plan on using it along with the pasta you have stored to make many meal choices.
3 Cans of Coffee
Coffee is a good addition to your food storage plan. I don’t think anyone needs a reason WHY you should store coffee, you just should. It’s a must-have food item in any food storage plan.
3 Cans of Tea
Tea is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a drink or in baking. It’s also a home remedy to help with an upset stomach.
6 Jars of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a spread, for baking, or for sandwiches! It’s also a great protein source directly from the jar. Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars and Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars are both great recipes to make with leftover peanut butter.
25 Cans of Soup or Broth
Soup or broth are both good additions to your food storage plan. They can be used as a drink, in cooking, or even as survival food. Vegetable Beef Soup is one of my favorite recipes to make with broth!
3 Pounds of Chocolate
Chocolate is a good addition to your food storage plan. It can be used as a treat or in baking. My family goes through so much chocolate that this is a MUST-have in our food plan! Is Dark Chocolate Healthy For You?
Now You Have Food In Storage, How to Care for it is Important:
How often should I switch my food out?
You should plan on switching out your food every 6 months to a year. This will ensure that your food is fresh and doesn’t go bad. You can also rotate your food storage by using the oldest items first and then replacing them with new ones. This is called the “first in, first out” method.
How much water should a person store?
A person should store at least 1 gallon of water per day. I have always suggested to my readers that they store four gallons per person per day. This will ensure that you have enough water for drinking to stay hydrated, cooking to properly prepare meals, and sanitation so your personal hygiene is maintained. You should also have a plan for how you will purify additional water if necessary.
- Water: Do You Have Enough Stored?
- How To Store Water For Drinking And Cooking
- How To Store Water For Drinking And Cooking
What are some other things I should include in my food storage plan?
In addition to food and water, you should also include items like a can opener, eating utensils, plates and cups, a first aid kit, soap, and personal hygiene items, as well as clothes and bedding. You may also want to include items like a flashlight, radio, and extra batteries.
More Food Storage Tips:
- 15 Reasons People Love Food Storage
- Why You Should Invest in Food Storage
- 7 Reasons Why Food Storage Is Common
Final Word
This is just a small list of items that you will need for your food storage plan. Of course, you will need to adjust the quantities depending on the size of your family and how long you plan on storing food. But, this should give you a good starting point. Happy planning! May God Bless this world, Linda