Surviving emergency conditions requires maintaining a food supply. Your food storage program should be designed to sustain life for at least a year. I need to take into account that my married children and grandchildren may have to somewhat depend on my food storage. I may also have the opportunity to assist my neighbors and friends.

The foundation of all food storage programs should be grains, which are nutritious and easy to store. A basic food storage calculator can be used to help determine how much and what kinds of food a person would need to store. Food storage is a necessary commodity for those who want to give their family future security.

Food storage is a big part of an emergency preparedness plan. Meal planning is a great way to use and rotate food storage. When you begin long term food storage, it is a lifestyle change. The best practice is to store what you use and use what you store.

Store all products away from heat and sunlight. A cool dark room is best. The smallest practical grain storage containers are #10 metal cans. They are small and easy to handle. Food should be dated with the month, day, and year so that rotation can be consistent. You should store canned and packaged goods on dry, clean shelves.

Different foods have different storage requirements. Always check the packaging for dates and storage instructions and be aware of the variety of food storage options available. Take into account any needs of family members, along with food allergies, diabetic needs and other issues, Create a customized food storage inventory that will benefit your family.

Start off with small quantities and find out what your family likes to eat. When you know what your family likes you can store what they will eat and not waste a lot of food. Also, consider the fact that if you don’t practice eating whole wheat and other grains now, your body may not react kindly if you are forced to eat them later. A grain mill will also be needed for grinding. An electric one is great but if you are in a power outage you will want a hand crank mill as a backup.

Use your food storage on a schedule so that you don't have any foods expire. Emergency food storage will not only get you and your family prepared for power outages, storms, unemployment, or other disasters, but will allow you to help others in the neighborhood who may need help.

You need to take the first step whether it's starting out or adding to what you have. Now is the time to inventory your food storage. Make a menu of meals that you can cook with your stored food and then start that lifestyle change. Evaluate where you are, what you need to improve, and how you are going to get there.

There are many products out there to choose from. Peparedness Tools has a big variety by itself. Having and using your food storage supply can be a life-saving act. It will ensure the health and safety of your family during any crisis. Those families who have faithfully and carefully put their house in order and provided food storage by sacrifice and careful attention will be rewarded in the end with their very lives.