3 Month Supply of Food

Counsel of our First Presidency

In 2002 at General Conference President Gordon B. Hinckley made this statement... "...so many (people) feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all." He counseled us to concentrate our efforts on building up a one-week supply of food. From there increase our food storage to two weeks, then a month. You will be surprised at how quickly and inexpensively you can build up a three-month's supply of food and water. President Hinckley went on to say..."Begin in a small way, ... and gradually build toward a reasonable objective."

In the "Family Home Storage" pamphlet by "The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints" it states..."We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve." (The First Presidency, "All is Safely Gathered in: Family Home Storage", Feb. 1, 2007)

Building and Organizing Your Three-Month Reserve

"Start by adding a few storable items that you typically eat, storing some water that is safe to drink, and saving some money, if only a few coins each week. Then over time, expand these initial efforts—as individual circumstances allow and where permitted—by storing a longer-term supply of basics such as grains, beans, and other staples." (Frequently Ask Questions, ProvidentLiving.org)

Watch the great video attached to the link below about having a 3-Month Supply of food help one family...

 https://www.lds.org/topics/food-storage?lang=eng
Note: A 3-Month Food Storage supply usually consist of every day foods you and your family eat. Long term food storage usually consist of dehydrated and freeze dried foods, including commercially canned and packaged food, and the basic food storage items (wheat, sugar, honey, salt, beans and rice).

Every time you go shopping, buy extra of the most commonly used items on your list. Set a monthly budget of $20+, you will be surprised how far $20 will go when you watch for sales items. Watch for the sales "buy one, get one free". Use money saving coupons. Shop around, it is amazing how each store can be different in their prices. Watch the weekly sales papers we get in the mail. Only buy what your family will eat.

How much will you need for you and your family for 3 months?

Make up a chart and put it on your refrigerator or cabinet. Make 4 columns, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  Every time you make a meal for that day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and include snacks) write it on the chart. Then make a list of the ingredients for each dish. Figure out how much you will need for 3 months. Make sure you include everything, even the spices you use. Each family's food supply will be different since we eat different things. Focus on just what your family will eat.

You don't need to worry about dry-pack, long term storage for now. Just get started on your three-month food supply first, and make sure you rotate what your store. Most canned foods last only two years, watch the labels. Most items have an expiration date on them now. Once you have your 3 months food supply add paper supplies (paper plates, cups, silverware, napkins, paper towels), toiletries, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.

Another great blog website that will give you great 3-Month Food Storage ideas is PreparedLDSFamily.blogspot.com. I have attached a link for that website.  If you scroll down you will find a PDF link for a great printable 3-Month Food Storage Plan chart for one adult. Click on the link "3-Month Food Storage Plan for one adult.pdf". Of course, adjust for your family and what they like to eat.

http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/3-month-food-storage-calculator-and.html

Storage of 3 Month Supply of Food

Devote some shelf space to your three-month supply and make sure that new items go to the back of the shelf. The oldest items should be toward the front of the shelf and should be used first in the day-to-day meal preparation.

Clear unneeded items (old pots and pans and electrically appliances you no longer use) to make room for your supply storage, donate the unneeded items to DI. Use unused space under beds by purchasing under the bed plastic storage containers. Organize closets and get rid of unused/unwanted items. Be clever in finding ways to store your three-month supply of food.

Be careful storing food and water in the garage, it is much to hot and the shelf life will be less.

There are several labeling systems and/or charts you can use to keep tract of the expiration dates. I will discuss this later on in another posting.

Water Storage

Do not forget the importance of having drinking water along with your three-month supply of food. In the case of a true emergency, water will be even more important to your survival than food. Church and community leaders suggest we have at least a two-week supply. Most articles I have read advise 14 gallons per person (or more if possible). Half is for drinking and food preparation and the other half is for brushing teeth, washing dishes, and so on. You will also have the water in your water heater, but only use for other things other than drinking and food preparation.

Water barrels are a great way to store a lot of water.

       
Important

Focus on your immediate goals and gather first a one-week supply of food and then a three-month supply of food and a two-week supply of water. With that completed, you can progress toward a full one-year food storage for emergency preparedness. The important thing is to just start!

Great source of food and water storage, emergency preparednessand becoming self-reliant...

http://providentliving.org/self-reliance?lang=eng

Updated 02/2013