Food for storage

[Guest colrmccoll]

you know that you have 40-80 gallons of water in the HWH.

[ZenDog]

Buy everything that you use and store enough to rotate in and out to where you never , ever run out on anything.

Wow, that's a nice looking storage setup - How long do you think it will last and how many people and animals are you feeding?

[Guest SMSTRICK]

Wow, that's a nice looking storage setup - How long do you think it will last and how many people and animals are you feeding?

Not really even a good start. The length of time depends upon the circumstances as well as whether or not I am in worse case scenerio and am feeding both me my wife, my step daughter, son in law and two grandchildren.

I have four dogs. I have no where near what I would consider extreme long term storage. I do , on the other hand have enough to use in rotation so as to have extra set back for hard times. I plan to go for more long term storage items. Dry goods, etc.

[Guest SUNTZU]

That is all.

[Guest Revelator]

Bacon in a can. Awesome.

You know, since I started this thread I think more and more about this issue. Stocking food is good, but wouldn't it be better to simply have the tools and knowledge to hunt and fish? A year's supply of food for everyone in your home requires a lot of time, space and money. What if you move? What if your house burns down?

Here's a better, cheaper, more efficient plan: A three month or so supply of food should get you through just about any disaster. If it's longer than that then it's on a worldwide level and even your year's supply is going to run out before grocery stores and restaurants come back. If that's the situation, time to start heading into the woods for rabbit, squirrel, deer, etc. Find a stream or a lake with some trout. With a .22 rifle and a WalMart rod and reel, you could feed yourself through any disaster.

What's that old saying? Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. Having actual skills is much better than rooms full of canned food in your house.

[Guest gunslinger707]

Bacon in a can. Awesome.

You know, since I started this thread I think more and more about this issue. Stocking food is good, but wouldn't it be better to simply have the tools and knowledge to hunt and fish? A year's supply of food for everyone in your home requires a lot of time, space and money. What if you move? What if your house burns down?

Here's a better, cheaper, more efficient plan: A three month or so supply of food should get you through just about any disaster. If it's longer than that then it's on a worldwide level and even your year's supply is going to run out before grocery stores and restaurants come back. If that's the situation, time to start heading into the woods for rabbit, squirrel, deer, etc. Find a stream or a lake with some trout. With a .22 rifle and a WalMart rod and reel, you could feed yourself through any disaster.

What's that old saying? Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. Having actual skills is much better than rooms full of canned food in your house.

+1000000000000000000000

[Guest SUNTZU]

Along with every one else with a rod and reel, rifle and ammo. You'd better be able to find a spot out of the way, and defend yourself or have someone watching over you. I completely agree about having the skills, not just book knowledge.

[Guest Revelator]

This is true. It could get to where folks are distrustful of each other real fast, and some will resort to violent means to get what they want. In an urban area, especially Memphis, I could totally see roving gangs of marauders going around looting and pillaging. If it's to the point where we're living off of what we've got stored away it could be very dangerous just stepping out of the house. You're going to want to live in a neighborhood where everyone can team together and look out for each other, set up 24-hour watches, escorts, and things like that. If it's real bad, you're not going to be able to do it by yourself or with just your family.

[midtennchip]

In addition to hunting and fishing, having space and the knowledge to do some gardening will be important. Patrick, I agree you cannot store enough food for a major event, but we have stocked away enough for about 6 months (and plan to have more). The space need for 6 months is not that large (I've got it on two shelving units). But, there's probably $1500 worth of food.

I admit I don't have enough know-how regarding gardening and hunting, but I'm learning.

BTW, if any of you haven't read "Lights Out" yet, read it.

[Guest Revelator]

Is that the story that's on the frugalsquirrel website? A bunch of nukes go off and all the power goes out? I've actually read about half of it; I'll get back into it.

[Guest mcclearypl]

Beans, pasta and rice stored in food grade buckets purged with co2. Spices, hard candies, tea in the sealed metal containers, coffee and sugar to make life just a little better. Caned soups, veggies and meats. Flour in whatever amounts you can store. I added flour because the ability to make some form of bread makes life better. Please remember to keep these items rotated out so the codes stay good. Water, water , and more water. Water purification tablets to clean up the water you can locate. MRE's are ok and thats all I can say about them. And for your long term well being add garden seeds of all types and variety rotating them out each and every year when you plant your garden. Weapons of all types, lots of ammo plus more ammo some of it stored where only you can find it.

Once again pats on the backs to all for the great information.

[Guest mw.]

http://www.captaindaves.com/foodfaq/ff1-toc.htm#contents

Somebody put alot of work into that site. Tons of information.

[Guest mustangdave]

2 months supply of MRE's...water and some dry goods...next is ammo and more MRE's also have 72hr emer. packs as well...

[Guest dkirby]

What are you guys plan on using to cook your food in such a situation? I'd be in trouble without my microwave!

[Guest Revelator]

What are you guys plan on using to cook your food in such a situation? I'd be in trouble without my microwave!

I have thought about this, too. If it got so bad that cities were running out of food, empty grocery stores and things like that, I'd think that the power would eventually go out. The local utility company employees are not going to be showing up to work when they can't eat. Riots could contribute to a widespread power outage as well. So if you're going to want to cook all that rice you've got stashed away, better have plenty of wood and a wood burning stove. It could come to that. I mean it takes two hours of simmering on low heat to cook a pot of beans. Easy to do on the stove; not so easy when you've got to start the fire and tend to it. It could definitely be like the clock turns back 150 years. Canned and freez dried foods just take a little heating up or hot water, but their price makes it difficult to stock up a long-term quantity.

[Guest jackdog]

http://www.captaindaves.com/foodfaq/ff1-toc.htm#contents

Somebody put alot of work into that site. Tons of information.

+1

[Guest dkirby]

I have thought about this, too. If it got so bad that cities were running out of food, empty grocery stores and things like that, I'd think that the power would eventually go out. The local utility company employees are not going to be showing up to work when they can't eat. Riots could contribute to a widespread power outage as well. So if you're going to want to cook all that rice you've got stashed away, better have plenty of wood and a wood burning stove. It could come to that. I mean it takes two hours of simmering on low heat to cook a pot of beans. Easy to do on the stove; not so easy when you've got to start the fire and tend to it. It could definitely be like the clock turns back 150 years. Canned and freez dried foods just take a little heating up or hot water, but their price makes it difficult to stock up a long-term quantity.

That's the direction I was thinking. Except not all of us (apartmentites) have room for wood storage, or a wood stove for that matter. Are there alcohol burning stoves that could be used to cook for two, like the small camp stoves (called "indian stoves" back in the day, how times have changed) I used as a child?

If you guys seriously are preparing for a year of food delivery interruption, you have to expect a catastrophe that was pretty extreme, and the power would most certainly be gone, I mean heck it goes out when it gets too windy here.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I have two hundred pound propane tanks at my townhouse. If it lasts longer than that, I wouldn't be staying in my apartment anyways.

[Guest MinorKey]

I would say expect what you know CAN happen. is a Nuke strike possible? sure- that would mean the fishing and much hunting would be a serious hazard to your health. (at least in a short term) the ground would not be fit to grow anything for some time as well until the rains have time to cycle and purge the toxicity out of the soil. If it is more economic, then expect that anything carried by trucks will not be anymore and thus what can you manage locally? A local barter system in a small town (preferably as close to 300 mi. from any major city due to refugee effect) will be best. Roving gangs will come to try to scavenge what they are able. (most will leave if they get any resistance and their Ego isnt damaged too badly) A small community that did not need the paper money used today to survive, and had the manpower and means to defend will likely win any struggle.

I also think having any and all skills you can aquire now, will help you in that situation as well. learn anything you can get your hands on and then do just that! (GET YOUR HANDS ON IT - experience is value) We will not all be good at everything. that is why it will be key to depend on the strength in numbers theory. also be charitable with those less plan-oriented than you. "give till it hurts" comes to mind. you will win more than you lost that way. (but dont let thieves take unless you have no choice. if they get something easily once, they may likely come back) That is where you have to have a plan to defend while the ability to know friend from foe.

again... just my opinion. and yes i know what opionins are like!!

-MK

[Guest dkirby]

I wouldn't be staying in my apartment anyways.

Good point. A 2+ week SHTF situation would warrant me heading out to the hills of Westmoreland to stay with the in-laws (*shudder*).

My humble apartment would be a pain to keep safe, this neighborhood would go to hell in a quick hurry.

[Punisher84]

Good point. A 2+ week SHTF situation would warrant me heading out to the hills of Westmoreland to stay with the in-laws (*shudder*).

My humble apartment would be a pain to keep safe, this neighborhood would go to hell in a quick hurry.

I also live in an apartment. Top floor, great for the zombies, not so great for real life. I figure if it's a short term thing like a major storm we are more then fine and settled in nicely.

If it's a major thing we'll just take what we can load into the Dodge and head for the hills. I have several friends that live on ALOT of land so I am easily able to vacate a metro area.

I have probably a couple months worth of rationed food in the home by the time you figure in what you could keep in a cooler for a couple days and then canned goods, MREs, etc

Good store of water and after something I just read I'll be keeping the bathtubs extra extra clean and running faucets at full tilt if something BAD ever happens.

I figure if it's even a long term live off the land kinda situation I can adapt to that from growing up a country kid anyway, if it's a earth is mostly destroyed kinda situation you're just gonna do what you can anyway. Can't be prepared for everything. That's why people that can adapt easily are usually the best survivors.

[Guest mcclearypl]

Hello All

I attended a class on what to bring to eat in your personal jump kit if you were deployed. There were many good ideas many of them repeated here, but the one thing that stuck with me was only pack stuff you eat now. Do not waste a lot of space on Vienna sausages and potted meat if you will not eat it. Food in any disaster is one of the comforts people require to work and recover. Try to work people 24/7 on cold meals and water and they will ware out in a hurry. I think this also applies to long term storage of foods. If you and your family will not eat it and gain at least a little joy from it then pack something that has a better pay back. Yes you need the staples but plan in some comfort also. Do not forget the seasonings they too will make life much better.

Peace

[Punisher84]

Hello All

I attended a class on what to bring to eat in your personal jump kit if you were deployed. There were many good ideas many of them repeated here, but the one thing that stuck with me was only pack stuff you eat now. Do not waste a lot of space on Vienna sausages and potted meat if you will not eat it. Food in any disaster is one of the comforts people require to work and recover. Try to work people 24/7 on cold meals and water and they will ware out in a hurry. I think this also applies to long term storage of foods. If you and your family will not eat it and gain at least a little joy from it then pack something that has a better pay back. Yes you need the staples but plan in some comfort also. Do not forget the seasonings they too will make life much better.

Peace

Good post. I will eat the mess out of some potted meat though lol

[Guest Schwarzgebrannt]

I'm trying to rebuild a decent food stock. My parents put up around eight blue poly barrels filled with grains, back around Y2K. By now, most of it has been used up (ground the wheat, made bread) or been found bad. Wish they'd known to use the dry ice.

Anyway, one thing I'm lucky to have is most of those barrels still, minus one that was used to store food after a fridge went bad and got an unremovable funk, and a lot of bulk spices. Spices and condiments are going to be real important if you're putting up lots of beans and rice.

I'm not planning on more than a few months supply of food. Beyond that, if you aren't already planting a veggie garden and bartering for more from real farmers and livestock raisers, of which there is no small supply around the smaller cities, you're just setting yourself up to starve to death once your food runs out anyway.

I would suggest stocking plenty of protein powder, maybe some creatine bottles as well. If you don't already have a fitness program that uses it, save that stuff for when you're busting your ass gardening. It makes all the difference between being able to consistently put in physical labor and hobbling around with a very sore body.

Buy a few pounds of powdered caffeine as well. It's cheap as heck and you can mix it into anything for an extra kick. It even can be insufflated (extremely painful, bad for you) which makes it of value to dopers who have something to trade.

Everclear is another somethin' to put up a few gallons of. Disinfectant, useful for extracting plant chemicals, and it goes a lot farther than any other liquor that's still consumable.

I grabbed a few of those frito-lay brand peanutbutter cheese and cracker bulk packs, they have a ridiculous amount of carbs, for me at least. Eating more than two of the individually wrapped packs gives me "too much rich food" type indigestion. They're like mini MREs.

Textured vegetable protein is actually pretty good and stores very well. You don't eat it by itself, that's how people try and fail to make it taste like real meat. You can't. What you do is soak, cook, grind it fine, and mix it with ground meat like Taco Bell does, and it tastes fine.

Think regionally. What is going to be hardest to get down the road in a long term disaster situation? Tennessee doesn't seem to grow that much wheat, so that's something I should stock up on.

[Guest Revelator]

I just got in 20 1.25 gallon mylar bags and 100 oxygen absorbers. What I'm going to do is fill each bag with smaller bags (ziplock or just the original package) of things like rice, beans, flour, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, cereal, etc. Then I'll drop a couple O2 absorbers in each one. Putting in lots of little things will give me variety, and I figure I can have a weeks worth of food for two in each bag. 20 bags, that's five months. I know a lot of people do five gallon mylar bags full of rice and beans but I don't see the point in that. I'm going to want to periodically consume and rotate what I store, and I really don't feel like having to eat up five gallons of rice. I mean I like rice and all, but not that much. And I've read that beans, even properly stored, last only about three years. Seems that a huge supply of them in one bag would be pointless. Also I already had some plastic containers that are better suited for smaller bags, not the five-gallon type.

I think this is what's going to work best for me and Mrs. Stegall for now. We don't have kids or anyone else to think of, and that's going to be a big factor in one's storage plan. As our family changes, so will our plans.