Yakking about Emergency Prep

Food is a good of a place to start when you’re making up emergency prep plans. It’s easy to access and isn’t an immediately “scary, Grizzly Adams” subject. Most all of us like to eat. Since folks usually don’t have a spare couple of Ben Franklins hanging around, a sound supply-building strategy is to pick a dollar amount that goes beyond your usual grocery budget and dedicate it to buying extra food supplies.

Keep in mind what you like to eat—if you stock up on dozens of canned corned beef hash because it was a screamin’ deal, and you’ve never tasted it before, you may be in for an unplanned hunger strike during an emergency. Concentrate on food you know will be eaten—not only during when TSHTF, but also during the regular course of your life. Rotating your stored food is another important element in warding off the unplanned hunger strike during an emergency. Incredibly stale, unsalted crackers, mmmm

I’ve been adding a smidge to the top of my grocery budget for possible emergencies for awhile. One of the food groups I’ve added to my shopping list are soups in waxed containers. No water is needed to prepare the soups—they’re completely heat and serve. They have a long expiration date, typically about a year from purchase. No can opener is needed to open them; just unscrew the cap, pull the foil and plastic tab to uncover the spout, and you’re in business. The flavors run the spectrum. I’ve tried French Onion, Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper with Tomato and Chicken soup so far. I just picked up Butternut Squash and am excited to try it. Also, there are 4 servings in the container, so they’re a good size for families.

Instant mashed potatoes and oatmeal packets are a good food to have on hand. It will take some water to prepare them, but the liquid to dry ingredient ratio can be downsized a tad and not play too much havoc with the finished product. Also, these are lightweight and able to slip easily into backpacks, if you need to head out instead of staying put.

“Where do I store all this stuff?” is a common question, and a handy procrastination excuse. Grab a hold of the cliché’ and start thinking outside of the box. Non-perishables can be stored just about anywhere. Have some space under your bed? This is a great place to store canned goods and other non-perishables that are pet proof. Do you have space, or can make space, in your linen closet? Another terrific hidey-hole. If you establish an area in a place, like a shed or garage, that can potentially be a home for vermin, make sure to prep your food store by placing it into containers that are vermin proof. Food-grade plastic buckets or glass mason jars are sturdy containers to utilize.

Last, don’t forget your animal kingdom friends when you plan an emergency stash of food. They’ll get just as hungry as you will during an emergency, and you must plan accordingly.