How to Use Food Storage for Emergencies

a well-stocked food storage pantry can make emergencies easier.

Food is a basic necessity that should always be available, especially in the face of disasters. Having enough food supply and food storage for emergencies is an essential element of disaster preparedness that should never be left out.

How much food storage do I need?

The amount of food to be stored depends on the number of family members for whom the food storage is being prepared. Most experts suggest storing a three-day supply of food and water for each member of the family. However, the needs of each family member may vary according to age. There are many food storage calculators that are accessible through the internet.

What kinds of food should be stored?

What to include in food storage for emergencies depends on the usual consumption of the family. Therefore, planning menus together is actually a basic step. It is important to take the preferences of each family member into consideration to ensure that the food stored will actually be consumed when the time comes.

One should also keep in mind to store food that will be fit for consumption for a long time. These include canned foods, noodles, dairy products in bottles and tetra-packs, and dried fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, many kinds of food are stored in cans nowadays, including fruits and vegetables. This increases the options for food storage.

Where should food be stored?

Food storage for emergencies should be done in a cool and dry area. The cold temperature helps preserve the quality of the stored food and retards the growth of microorganisms (e.g. fungi, bacteria) that cause spoilage. Preventing humidity from getting into the food is also important since fungi like growing in dark and humid places.

Aside from spoilage, another concern for food storage is that pests such as rodents and insects may steal the food. Therefore, it is important to keep the food in shelves, far from the floor, which is the most accessible part of the room. Crevices and cracks along walls should be filled or closed since these may harbor small rodents or insects.

Food should only be stored in food-grade containers. Not all plastic containers are food-grade. Therefore, before buying any container for food storage, one should always check with the manufacturer or the seller for food-grade quality.

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About our Guest Author

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and supports those ones that offer alternative lifestyles to consumers.  As a frugal living and self-sufficiency advocate, she recommends FoodInsurance.com for those budget conscious moms who want to get big savings in shopping for food storage.