When planning for emergencies,
layering
is an ever-constant theme. I often emphasize when one begins to prepare
that you start simply by preparing for small-scale emergencies, and
then slowly begin adding onto those existing preps to create a longer
term preparedness supply. These emergency layers help you create a
reliable foundation, and the same layering approach can be used when
creating a food storage pantry.
There are some emergency food considerations to keep in mind:
- The amount of people in the household.
- Have a good amount of food varieties to reduce food fatigue.
- The serving size of the food.
- Vitamin content in the food.
- The expiration date or “best if used by” labels on the food.
- Special health conditions for family members.
Additionally, these
essential food pantry rules can come in handy when you decide on which food to purchase.
Your Food Storage Layers
Layer 1 (0- 72-hours) – In the onset of an emergency
and the days following a disaster, the first food to go should be from
the refrigerator. Keep in mind that refrigerated food will stay cold for
four to six hours, assuming the door is left closed as much as
possible. In a
fully stocked freezer, foods remain safely frozen for approximately two days if the door stays closed. You
want to use up your perishable foods first and then begin preparing
your foods that are frozen. Plan meals to meet a 1500-2000 calorie diet
that are high in nutrients. Once the perishable food has been consumed,
it’s time to move onto your secondary layer of your emergency preps. A
word of advice – have an ample supply of water on hand!
Layer 2 (4-30 days) - These emergency foods should
consist of “just add water” meals or meals that do not require
substantial amounts of water, fuel or preparation time. Having some
canned, pre-packaged dinners, or meals that are “ready to eat” during
emergency scenarios will help you begin acclimating yourself to cooking
in a grid-down scenario as well as to help provide some comfort at the
same time.
Keep your family’s preferences, any existing health conditions and
food allergies in mind when preparing this food storage layer. Another
thought to keep in mind, is that a large amount of water will be needed
to rehydrate some of these meals. Have a large amount of water stored or
a means to filter
water during an emergency.
Layer 3 (31-99 days) - I have often said that our
preps are our life line. The items we choose should be able to carry us,
not only through difficult times, but perhaps through impossible times
as well. This layer of pantry foods should consist of
multipurpose, everyday pantry items. These foods are relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire. Keep
food storage shelf lives in
mind and regularly rotate these items in order to maintain a fresh food
source. Further, having a fresh source of vitamins will help your body
thrive during an emergency. Consider storing a supply of seeds for
sprouting – they are cheap, easy to store and require minimal amounts of
time for growth.
For those who are preparing for longer term or extended emergencies,
at a minimum you should have a 3 month supply of food and build it up to
a 6 month supply. This will be the beginning of your longer term food
source, and re-packaging these food sources into more durable containers
or packages will keep your food’s
enemies away. Further it is a good idea to begin storing large quantities of foods that have extremely long shelf lives.
For a list of the 11 emergency foods items than can last a lifetime,
click here.
Another method of bulking up on foods with long shelf lives is to
invest in freeze-dried foods. These preserved foods have a shelf life of
20+ years! All you need to do is add hot water and voila!
Some foods to consider for longer term storage are:
- Carbohydrates: white rice, pasta, wheat, oats, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, sugars, honey, fruits, roots and tubers (cook these well) and cereals. For those with wheat allergies, click here.
- Proteins: legumes, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, canned meats and fish, oatmeal, grains, wheat, quinoa, seeds, MREs, popcorn
- Fats: whole milk, ensure, peanut butter, oil (preferably plant based oils), nuts and seeds
- Vitamins and Nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin powders, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, seeds to grow vegetables and for sprouting, survival bars
Layer 4 (100-365 days+) – If you find yourself in
an emergency for over 100 days, it’s time to get real about the
situation you have found yourself in. You must assume this could be your
new reality. That said it is time to take steps toward long term
survival. Having an understanding of
essential skills,
homesteading and gardening/farming concepts and learning ways to
sustain yourself for the long term is of the utmost importance.
Micro livestock is a group of hearty animals that will help you make
the most of smaller pieces of land. To read the pros and cons of this
livestock choice,
click here. For those in suburban dwellings, consider chickens, rabbits and fish stored in aquaponic for a long-term food source.
As a prepper preparing for long term emergencies, you want to
continue storing up foods mentioned in the last layer and add
freeze-dried or
dehydrated
foods to your stockpile. Given that you are preparing for an extended
or long term emergency means that you will also need to begin looking at
ways to prepare or
preserve
food sources off the grid. Learning how to can, dehydrate and ferment
foods will help you maintain your food supply. Moreover, to
prevent malnutrition,
you will want to concentrate on accruing essential food sources such as
carbohydrates, protein sources, fats and essential vitamins and
nutrients (see above list of food considerations). Having a vitamin
source such as
sprouting seeds or
stockpiling multi-vitamins during this period will also ensure that you
are providing your body with regular doses of needed vitamins.
During an emergency, we are often left to fend for ourselves. Having
an ample supply of emergency foods can help your family thrive during
the most difficult of times. Take the time now to learn how to make the
most of your food supply, learn pertinent skills and the importance of
balanced diets and the lasting effects nutritious food has on our body
because when emergencies occur, we will need this knowledge the most.
