Food for a Year is Protection from Disaster - Both Natural & Economic

We all know these are uncertain times. The economy continues to struggle, natural disasters seem to be occurring unusually often and we even have that end of the world in 2012 thing hanging over our heads.

Wouldn't it be reassuring to have a years worth of food stashed away as a Just-In-Case emergency backup plan for that day when there just isn't any other way to survive.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has endorsed food storage for emergencies all along. Disasters like Hurricane Katrina have reinforced the fact that counting on the government to save you is a good way to end up starving to death.

It really isn't that hard to do, all it takes is a little organization. Concentrating on supplies that are shelf stable requiring no refrigeration is the only practical solution. Freeze dried or dehydrated foods are cute and clever, but darn expensive and not very satisfying as a long term diet.

Canned foods can remain usable for years beyond the expiration date stamped on the can. That's only a guideline indicating approximately how long they will remain at their peak in flavor and texture.

Dried goods like beans, pasta, and rice can remain usable almost indefinitely as long as they remain dry. Flour too will last a long time if protected from bugs and moisture.

Protein or meat is the area of concern as unless it remains frozen it will spoil rapidly. This can be avoided by laying in a supply of canned meat as well. We're all familiar with canned tuna, sardines, oysters, and salmon. You can also buy canned beef, pork and even cooked whole canned chickens.

Having a variety will keep your taste buds happy, because we all know how hard it is to stick to a diet of the same thing over and over again.

Do you need to immediately run out and stock up on cases of baked beans and potato flakes right off the bat? No, modifying how you think about food shopping and slowly buy a few extras when you do go to the grocery store will quickly help you to accumulate a supply of food for times of emergency.

Organization makes this all an easy task, here's how you do it:

1. Set up a pantry with shelving, organizing your canned & dried goods so that you can see what you have.

2. Display your goods with the oldest cans up front so they will be used first.

3. Figure a minimum/maximum on hand quantity for each item so your supply on hand will last 3 months, eventually increase it to 6 months, and finally move it up to a year.

4. Go about your daily life using from your food supply and replenishing with fresh when you go shopping.

It makes no sense to buy foods you know you would not normally eat. Having a emergency supply of what you eat on a daily basis will not only maintain your health better, it will be good for your moral under times of stress.

Then while you wait for the government to finally come around 2 months later looking for bodies, you can invite them to pull up a chair as dinner will be served shortly.