6 posts tagged “food storage”
Findings of recent scientific studies conducted by a team of researchers at Brigham Young University show that properly packaged, low-moisture foods stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) remain nutritious and edible much longer than previously thought. The studies, which are the first of their kind, increase the estimated shelf life for many products to 30 years or more (see chart for new estimates of shelf life). Previous estimates of longevity were based on "best-if-used-by" recommendations and experience. Though not studied, sugar, salt, baking soda (essential for soaking beans), and vitamin C in tablet form also store well long-term. Some basic foods do need more frequent rotation, such as vegetable oil every 1 to 2 years.
While there is a decline in nutritional quality and taste over time, depending on the original quality of food and how it was processed, packaged, and stored, the studies show that even after being stored long-term, the food will help sustain life in an emergency.
For tips on how to best preserve longer-term food storage products, see Longer-Term Supply.
I consider Emergency Essentials my go-to source for storage food. They are located here in Salt Lake City, but can mail order anywhere. I'm on their email contact list, so I get regular emails from them. Their latest email contains this article, which has a lot of helpful info. -- Scott
The Wisdom of Food Storage -- America is the land of plenty; a place of security and shelter for its citizens. Would we ever really need to use food storage here? This is a thought-provoking question. Research has shown that the average American household has less than a week's supply of food on hand. This is also the case with the average American supermarket. Without being paranoid or panicked, there are many valid reasons to put extra food away. We are all somewhat vulnerable to events beyond our control. But most situations are probably closer to home: loss of power, unexpected or unplanned interruptions of life such as unemployment, loss of income due to illness or injury, or high medical bills due to an accident. Food storage is a form of insurance protecting your family from the unexpected.
A Wise Investment
Food storage becomes a wise investment in future stability and an even wiser investment if you practice storing what you use and using what you store. Making food storage a life-style rather than a make-do will help you maintain your investment. Food storage that matches your family's lifestyle is food that more likely will be used. Using and rotating your Freeze Dried Foods and Dehydrated & Dry Foods on a regular basis maintains the original investment and prevents it from being wasted.
The Basics
It is recommended to always start your food storage program by storing the basics. Grains, legumes, dehydrated milk, sugar, salt, oil, and garden seeds have come to be known as the "basics." Do not underestimate the power these foods have, as they have been shown throughout history to sustain life. It is important to know how to prepare and use the basics, especially ways that your family will enjoy. If you are familiar with the food you have stored, you will be better prepared to use it during times of emergency.
Beside the Year Supply of Basics, we offer various year supply units. These year supply units vary from just over 1100 calories per day to 1800 calories per day. If a person has a year supply of wheat on hand it would be an additional 1374 calories per day. If a person had a complete year supply of basics it would add 2000 calories a day more. It is easy to see the value of storing basics and the variety of fruits, vegetables, and mixes as found in our prepackaged year supply units.
Their website called providentliving.org has a wealth of information on topics such as: food storage, family finances, humanitarian services, employment, education and literacy, physical health, family and marriage counseling, adoption assistance, rehabilitation services, and more. To participate in some of these services, membership is required, but much of these resources are available to all.
With their pioneer heritage of self reliance and frontier spirit, building towns, settlements and families throughout the mountain west, members of the LDS Church have always been taught to provide for themselves and to serve their fellow men. Christian charity means not only helping the worthy poor with food and monetary aid, but with training, counseling, and education helps so that all are taken care of, and all can take care of themselves. So none are left behind if they truly desire to better themselves.
The section on food storage provides information on why one should store food, what to store, how to store, using food storage, home flour mills, emergency preparation, and home gardening. There are also suggestions on how to build one month food storage kits, how to dry-pack food, how to inventory your present storage, and locations where members of the church can do their own dry packing. (If you're not a member, find someone who is, and tag along with them.)
During the days of American Survival Guide, there were two companies that were always competing to get the best placement of ads in the magazine. These rival companies were Major Surplus and Survival, and Nitro-Pak Preparedness Center. Both are still around today, although Nitro-Pak moved from southern California to Heber City, Utah, back in the mid 90s.
Major Surplus was always a fun place to visit because you'd never know what kind of military surplus Steve would come up with. We were like kids in a candy store. Major continues to serve southern California with earthquake and disaster survival supplies, and nationally with all kinds of preparedness supplies through their online catalog. You'll find water barrels, food and water storage, mylar bags, emergency kits, earthquake kits, food storage supplies, dehydrated food, freeze dried food, MREs, lamps, stoves, and clothing. New items and super saver items are always fun to check out. Major always carries a great selection of survival books, such as this one: How to Live without Electricity - And Like It, by Anita Evangelista.
Major Surplus and Survival, 435 W. Alondra, Gardena, CA 90248; phone: 800.441.8855; fax: 310.324.6909; email: info@MajorSurplusnSurvival.com.
Walton Feed has been in business 54 years and has been providing dehydrated foods and supplies for immediate use and long term food storage for over 20 years. Considered a leader in the market, Walton Feed has been instrumental in moving forward the technology of preserving dried foods to facilitate long storage life. Moving into the area of preparing foods for immediate use, Walton Feed's products can now be found in some grocery stores through Utah and Idaho as it's foods break into mainstream use. Walton Feed is pleased to offer you this alternative to the high cost of groceries and feel we can give you a real service in lowering your monthly grocery bill as well as helping you set up your food storage needs.
Walton Feed, 135 North 10th, PO Box 307, Montpelier, ID 83254; phone: 800.847.0465; fax: 800.847.0467.
Besides being a great source for food storage items, their website has a wealth of info that any self-respecting survivalist will take to heart with gusto. Have you ever wondered why Mormons believe in food storage? Or how the Navajo survive living in what could be considered a barren wasteland? Be sure to check out the Old Timer page.
Emergency Essentials is located in Orem, Utah, approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Our company headquarters are located at the base of Mt. Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains. We have been in business since 1987, helping people prepare for emergencies. We are mainly a catalog company, although we have two retail stores in Utah. One store is located at 216 E. University Parkway in Orem, Utah. The second store is located at 110 W 3300 S in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Our mission statement is: "To help people prepare. To
serve our customers, fellow employees, business associates, etc. in
exactly the same way we would want to be served. To use the resources
that we have been given to serve, build, and inspire our community."
This is where I buy my Freeze Dried storage food. I've
already bought one Mountain House Super Supply of Freeze Dried Entrees (36 #10 cans), and plan to get a few more around the first of 2007.
