Short Term Food Storage
Every family should try to have short term supply of everyday pantry-type foods. A good goal to aim for is a 3 month supply. Canned vegetables, soups, tuna or canned meats, pasta and dry goods, oats, cereals, cooking oil, canned sauces, and other standard food that your family eats are good choices for short term storage.
A good rule of thumb is to store foods that you normally eat. Rather than spending a lot of money all at once, build up your supply gradually. When you go to the store to buy canned goods, buy a little extra each time.
Don't forget to store water!
Some basic cooking staples like flour, rice, and oats can be stored for longer periods of time if they are packaged correctly. Use #10 cans or mylar bags to seal food air tight. The following chart could be used as a guide to help you determine how much food you need to store for your family.
One Month Basic Food Supply for One Adult
| Food | #10 Cans | Mylar Bags | Best If Used By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | 3 cans | 2 bags | 20 + years |
| White Flour | 1 can | 1 bag | 3-5 years |
| White Rice | 2 cans | 1 bag | 3-4 years |
| Quick Oats | 1 can | 1 bag | 4-5 years |
| Macaroni | 1 can | 1 bag | 6-8 years |
| Pinto Beans | 1 can | 1 bag | 6-8 years |
| White Sugar | 1 can | 1 bag | 20+ years |
| Powdered Milk | 1 can | 1 bag | 2-3 years |
| Cooking Oil | 1 bottle | 1 bottle | 2 years |
| Salt | 1 canister | 1 canister | 20+ years |
Remember that stored food needs to be rotated regularly. It's a good idea to mark the "best by" date on #10 cans, mylar bags, and canned goods in your cupboard.
Long Term Food Storage
Once you have a supply of pantry goods and short term food to rotate (like oil, sugar, flour, etc.), you can work on longer term food storage items. Use the chart below to determine what to store for one adult for one year.
| Food | Amount to store |
|---|---|
| Grains: wheat, rice, corn, oatmeal, pasta | 400 lbs. |
| Legumes: dry beans, split peas, lentils | 60 lbs. |
| Powdered Milk | 16 lbs. |
| Cooking Oil | 10 quarts |
| Sugar or Honey | 60 lbs. |
| Salt | 8 lbs. |
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
-Benjamin Franklin