How to prepare an emergency food supply

Whether natural or artificial, no region is immune to the potential for disaster. Tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, winter storms, or terrorist attacks are just a few examples of emergencies that may require the need to have an emergency food supply and an emergency water supply on hand. During these emergencies, you may not have access to electricity, gas, food, or water. By planning ahead and putting together an emergency food supply and an emergency water supply, you will have the food and water your family needs during a crisis.

FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend that a minimum two-week supply of food and water be stored for use in an emergency. I would recommend at least double that amount as a minimum and ideally a one year supply. And yet, I understand the recommendation because most people do not have any emergency food supply or emergency water supply. So where should you start?

First, don't get overwhelmed. None of us started our food storage programs all at once. It may take some time to increase your emergency food supply. You can start with canned goods, food bars, dried fruit, and dry mixes that don't require refrigeration. Try to store food that your family normally enjoys, as this will boost morale in a stressful time. When preparing food, consider allergies or special diets and the ages of the people you will be feeding.

When you start storing your emergency food supply, set up a rotation based on the expiration dates of the various foods. Store older foods out front so they can be used before they expire. As you add new supplies, be sure to reposition them behind the older supplies so that the rotation stays in order. Take care to use storage containers that are airtight and offer protection from pests.

An alternative to storing canned goods, food bars, dried fruit, and dried mixes that often only last six months to a year and need to be rotated constantly is to buy a freeze-dried emergency food supply. These freeze-dried meals require no refrigeration, are lightweight, and come packed in resealable bags that are stored in plastic bins that are built to stack on top of each other for compact food storage. These emergency food supplies have a 20-year shelf life and are available in sizes that will last an adult from a week to a year or more, depending on your need. Freeze-dried meals offer a wide variety of foods so you don't get tired of eating the same thing for every meal. All you usually need to prepare these foods is water. An emergency food supply of freeze-dried meals is my first choice because I don't have to remember to constantly rotate food in and out of the storage area.

The emergency food supply storage area should be cool, dry and preferably dark. Consider the type of disaster that is most likely to occur in your area when choosing a storage area. For example, if tornadoes are prevalent in your region, you probably don't want your emergency food supply to be stored on the top floor of your home if it can be avoided as it is an area that is more likely to be damaged and, therefore, the loss of Your food supply. Similarly, you wouldn't want it in a damp basement, either. In some circumstances, it may be convenient to have more than one storage location, so if one is lost, another can be accessed.