Healthy Food Storage Guidebook

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook (eBook Preview)

New Ideas for Healthy Emergency Food Storage
A full copy of this eBook is available at HealthyFoodStorage.com

By Karen Lee

Includes Organic, Diabetic & Gluten Free Information

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook

Copyright 2010 Karen Lee. All rights reserved, including without limitation, the right to reproduce this material or parts thereof in any form. No part is to be copied, changed, sold, transferred or used in any way without written consent from the copyright holder. This material is protected under International and Federal copyright laws and treaties. This publication is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor publisher is responsible for content. They make no warranties with respect to content, advice, or accuracy of information and shall not be held liable for any damages occurring from said use of publication. The information is considered educational and informative only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a physician. Author and publisher assume no liability for any allergic reactions or health issues or any condition allegedly caused by suggestions in this book. Individuals with or without specific health problems and pregnant women should always consult their physician before making changes in their diet or adding supplements or medications. The information provided is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Neither the author nor publisher assumes liability for resources that are listed. Neither are they responsible for the effectiveness or safety of any product listed. Individual companies represented in this publication assume liability for their own products and services. The author and publisher have gone to great measure to provide accurate internet addresses at the time of this publication and assume no liability for changes after publication. Cover Photo by Rina Wiedenhoeft

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................... 3 Introduction ......................................................... 7 A Cautionary Tale that Happens to be True ............................ 9 Chapter 1 - Why Store? .............................................. 15 12 Good Reasons for Storage ....................................... 15 Chapter 2 - Twenty Food Storage Mistakes & Tips .... Error! Bookmark not defined. Top 20 .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 3 - Where do I Begin? ............. Error! Bookmark not defined. A Starting Point ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Some Things to Consider ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. The Plan ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Sample Survival List of Basic Foods ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. Required Amounts ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined. The Honey Part .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Sugar Part .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Protein ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Calories ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Three Other Important Items ............. Error! Bookmark not defined. What's Wrong With "The Basics?" ......... Error! Bookmark not defined. Measurements ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. *Rotation* .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 4 - Water First ................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Water Purifiers & Stabilizers ........... Error! Bookmark not defined. Water Storage Containers ................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 5 Grains ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Hard Red & White Wheat .................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Uses for Wheat .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. White All-Purpose Flour ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Tips .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Potatoes ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Grains ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook What is Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease? ....... Error! Bookmark not defined. Gluten Free for You and Me .............. Error! Bookmark not defined. Starches & Binding Agents ............... Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Ingredients ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Gluten-Free Products .................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Cold Cereals ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Whole Grains for Cereal ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Pasta ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Types of Pasta .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 6 Legumes ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Types of Beans .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. How to Prepare Beans .................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 7 - Milk & Dairy for Storage ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Pasteurization .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Vitamin D ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Raw Milk ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Dry Milks (Powdered) .................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Canned Milk ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Milks ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Milk Alternatives ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Margarine, Shortening and Butter Look-Alikes ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. Eggs .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Cheese .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Calcium-Rich Foods ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 8 - Canned Foods .................. Error! Bookmark not defined. More about Canned Goods ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Which Canned Foods to Store ............. Error! Bookmark not defined. Canned Fruits ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Canned Vegetables ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Garden Vegetables ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Dehydrating your Own Produce ............ Error! Bookmark not defined. Home Canning ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Canned Meats ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 4 HealthyFoodStorage.com

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook Amount of Meat to Store ................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Freeze-Dried Meats ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Seafood ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Pork .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Organic Soups ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 9 - Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Foods ........ Error! Bookmark not defined. Differences between Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Foods .. Error! Bookmark not defined. What to Include ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Which Companies are Best? ............... Error! Bookmark not defined. More about Dried Foods .................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 10 Sweeteners ................... Error! Bookmark not defined. White Sugar (sucrose) ................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Brown Sugar (Sucrose) ................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Sugars ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Safe Sweeteners ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Avoid These Forever ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 11 Oils & Adjuncts .............. Error! Bookmark not defined. Coconut Oil ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Olive Oil ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Grape Seed Oil .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Palm Oil ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Adjuncts .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Food Items/Condiments ............. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 12 - Putting all Your Food in Buckets ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Getting the Oxygen Out .................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Other Methods to Keep Oxygen Out ........ Error! Bookmark not defined. Where to Store .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 13 Grinders ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Hand Mills .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 14 - Stoves, Heaters & Other Cooking Items . Error! Bookmark not defined. Modern Stoves ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Power ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5 HealthyFoodStorage.com

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook Cast-Iron Cookware ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Teflon Pans ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Throw Out the Microwave! ................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 15 - Water Filters & Cleaning Items ........ Error! Bookmark not defined. In Home ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Portable Filters ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Cleaning Supplies ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Last of All ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Resources ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Works Cited ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. List of Tables ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Introduction
Why is this book different from others on the market? Because it offers a unique perspective on food storage that other books have missed. Fresh, raw foods are the healthiest way to eat, but that is not always possible when putting food in storage. It is my purpose to help you become aware of foods that will make a difference in your familys health right now, as well as in your food storage system. In turn, there will be some compromises in your everyday diets as storage items are included, because canned and dried goods have expiration dates and must be eaten and rotated for freshness. Most people have a perception that healthy eating doesnt include foods in a can. But there are ways around that. I assure you that if you develop a healthy eating style right now, your knowledge and experience will be put to excellent use in your storage program. Youll be able to take advantage of food harvested from your own garden, exotic and nutritious rice and flour, and nuts and seeds that can be stored and sprouted, offering food that is alive and rich with enzymes and nutrients in an emergency. Hand in hand with my healthy eating goal is getting people to understand the importance of an emergency food storage program. Current events show us how easy it is to have our world turned upside down by any number of events, from a job loss to a major catastrophe. In the past, we were fairly secure in knowing our economic system and emergency crews would be in proper working order. Consequently, many people didnt see the need for a food storage program and considered those who did as radicals and doomsayers who hoarded food and emergency supplies. Now many people are waking up to the fact that the systems and government we rely on to protect us are not secure after all. Slowly, as events have unfolded, we realize how vulnerable we really are. That is why many have decided they want to be prepared in the event of an emergency. The main purpose of having a storage program is because it is just plain smart. I will list the reasons in the following pages. (Please! This does not mean you should store food because you believe the world is coming to an end! I don't believe in scaring people to death!) Being prepared means having a carefully planned food and emergency supplies storage program. By taking the time to consider 7 HealthyFoodStorage.com

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook your individual and family needs, you will make the best use of resources that are available without waste. If we wait until an emergency situation happens, and then run to the nearest store and grab as much as we can before anyone else beats us to itthat would indeed be considered hoarding. Gradually creating a food storage program with smart planning does not take away from others or create food shortages. It became clear as I wrote this book that many storage programs do not address health problems or food allergies. There is a genuine need for additional information for those who are allergic to grains or who have blood sugar issues, such as diabetes. I have addressed these issues in the book. If you are ever in the position of using your long-term food storage program and are unable to get other food, the nutritional information and charts provided in this book will be invaluable. Healthy Food Storage Guidebook offers some new and old ideas for food storage. I have spent time researching sources for products so it will be easier for you to find them without having to search for hours for health and food storage supplies. It is my wish that you will find it helpful.

Karen Lee

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A Cautionary Tale that Happens to be True

How long do you think youd be out of power and supplies in an ice storm, two, three days? A storm in February of 2009 in Kentucky knocked out power to 1.5 million residents. Louisville residents were out of power for more than six days, and other Kentucky regions for up to three weeks. 200,000 people were without water. The governor called it Kentuckys biggest natural disaster with fuel shortages, cars trapped under fallen trees, and power and communications lines snapping, having to be entirely rebuilt. Most cell phones did not operate, since electrical outages affected cell towers as well. (1) This happened just two years after a deadly 2007 ice storm left nearly 600,000 homes and businesses without electricity in Oklahoma and nearly 350,000 other customers affected by outages in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. (2) If you happen to live in an area where you might get snowed in for a few days, a few basic staples like water, a bar of soap and a Cup of Noodles will seem like luxuries. The numbers Ive quoted seem like impersonal statistics compared with this first-hand report. I was able to interview a female college student who experienced the ice storm of 2007 in Missouri. Here is her story. My twin sister Niki and I were attending college near Springfield, Missouri in January of 2007 when a freak ice storm struck the town. The minute the rain hit, it turned to ice and attached itself to everything. Power lines were weighed down until they gave way. Metal power poles were bent from the weight of the ice. Trees were cracking and falling on roads and houses. Outdoor wood piles were frozen solid and couldnt be used for heat in fireplaces. Homeless people were freezing to death and dying next to the road. The roads were thick with ice and driving was dangerous. Emergency teams couldnt get to accident victims for two or three hours or more. Within three days, the food had disappeared from the shelves of all grocery stores. A few restaurants that had generators were open for business, but food choices became limited. For the first day of the storm we were lucky enough to have power in our small apartment along with some food. I lived close to the restaurant where I worked and could get back and forth with some

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook effort. I needed to work in spite of the conditions and it was one of the few restaurants in town that had a generator. On the second night the inevitable happened. We lost power in the apartment and had no heat and no way to cook our food. The next morning we were forced to leave our apartment to find refuge elsewhere. Being new in the area, Niki and I didnt know where all the shelters were located, but according to the news, they were all full, so it didnt matter anyway. My sister and I talked it over and decided if we split up we might have a better chance of finding a friend to take us in. We agreed that it would be easier for one person to get shelter than two. We hugged and said our goodbyes and she left in one direction and I began walking in the other. I spotted a friend's house not far from there with a light shining through the front window. When I arrived, I knocked on the door and luckily she answered and welcomed me in. She had a fireplace, so at least we were able to keep warm. Later, we went to bed and could hear the sounds of wind the ice around and the cracking sounds of trees breaking. It almost impossible to sleep, and finally, at around 3:00 A.M. tree came crashing down on the house tearing the living area It scared us so bad our bodies were shaking uncontrollably. knocking was a huge apart.

We were forced to leave in the bitter cold. Our nerves were shattered, I didnt know where my sister was, and my phone had lost its charge. Having no place to go in the middle of the night, my friend and I decided to take a risk and drive to Branson, Missouri which was 45 minutes away, to get food. Strangely enough, Branson hadnt been hit by the storm. When we reached the car, I had to use anti-freeze on the door handles because they were frozen solid. (Boy was I glad to have that!) The lines at the gas pumps were incredibly long and it took two hours for us to get gasoline. Some people had apparently pumped their gas and ran out before paying so the management was requiring the rest of us to go inside to pay before we were allowed to pump gas for ourselves.

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook The roads were caked with ice and we were warned by the highway patrol that it would be very dangerous driving. We didnt have much choice; we had no more food and we didnt know where else to go. I didnt even have snow tires, but we were determined to make it. The normal 45-minute trip ended up being three hours of slow torture. We kept to the center median where there was enough grass to give us some traction. When we finally reached Branson, we were relieved to find a grocery outlet that had some low prices on damaged boxed foods and canned goods. We stocked up on as much food as our low student budget would allow and put it in the trunk of the car. We stayed for a while and ate some of our stash but I needed to get back to find my twin sister. I had no money left and I was afraid I would lose my job if I didnt return to work. We had some food now, and figured since it was daylight we might be able to find someone to take us in. The trip back took the same three hours. The icy roads hadnt improved and the drive was tense, but we arrived safely. I tried to think of someone who might be able to help us out and remembered I had a friend, Jason, who was living at a fraternity house on campus. When we got back to town we went to the house with the hope of finding him. Luck was with us because he was still there. Everyone else had left the house on the first day when the power went out, but by that time, day 3, Jason was able to get his hands on a small generator. We were grateful for a place to stay. We were surviving on our food supply in the back of our trunk. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were our main diet. We had some canned foods and lots of snack foods, but we decided to keep our water intake to two to three cups a day, just in case we ran out. The next morning, my friend and I split up and I went to find Niki. I had called my mom after I got my phone charged and she told me where Niki was staying. I knew where the house was and set out to meet her. When I arrived, I found she and her friends had been living on roasted marshmallows and hot dogs cooked in the fireplace for the last two days. That was all the food they were able to get and they had no electricity. I talked her into going back with me to the fraternity house, but first we needed to get to our apartment to check it out. We wanted to 11 HealthyFoodStorage.com

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook pack more clothing, as the icy, wet cold was going clear through to our skin. Of course washing and drying anything was out of the question. Unfortunately, we arrived only to find that our apartment had been broken into and someone had chopped up some of our furniture to use for firewood. Our bed was intact, but only small traces of our table and chairs were left. They didnt take anything else; I guess they were in a hurry to make a fire with our furniture. We grabbed some clothing and left. The next day the National Guard came to town and some of the soldiers were giving out free generators. We decided to go and try for one so that we could get back to stay at our apartment. When we arrived, the line was a couple of blocks long, but in desperation, we decided to join it anyway. Three hours later there were five of us left in line when they announced that all the generators were gone. (At one time, we heard that 90,000 people were without power.) Frozen and tired, we had to figure out another plan. We were about to leave when suddenly one man left standing in line took matters into his own hands and pulled a gun from his coat and shot another in order to take his generator. He tore it from the mans hands and took off running. We couldnt believe our eyes. This was done with the National Guard standing right there! A few of the guardsmen chased the man down, tackled him to the ground and arrested him. (We were glad to find out the man who had been shot was not severely injured, but we were still pretty shaken.) We went back to the fraternity house, rested from our earlier ordeal and went to bed early. That night we heard someone downstairs making noises. We were afraid, but Frank decided hed better check it out. When he got to the kitchen he found a homeless man helping himself to what was left in the refrigerator. We decided to let him stay for a while to get warm and then sent him on his way. We were getting weary by now from all the trauma and lack of sleep. By day 6, I was really starving. We had to keep our food safe and were still eating from the trunk. Our menu was cold canned chili and spaghetti (because we had no way to heat it), dry ramen noodles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a few snacks. Our milk was frozen, so it wasnt much good to us. I was dying for a decent meal.

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook The next day, we heard on the radio that our power was finally back on at the apartment so we left the fraternity house and returned there. We were hoping at this point for some normalcy in our lives. I wish I could say that was the end of it, but it wasnt. No one in Springfield or surrounding towns expected such a thing to happen and very few people were prepared. The storm itself lasted three days, but the ramifications lasted much longer. Power didnt come back on in some areas for two weeks. Even though the grocery stores began to get food in, the lines were a block long and people continued to empty the shelves in a panic in case it happened again. It took at least two to three months for things to get back on track. We heard that people froze to death in that storm and 200,000 people were without power. We were appalled to find out that most people around the country never even heard anything about it! No wonder people arent prepared when this happens. One thing Im quite sure of is that most of the people of Springfield will have emergency food and supplies, generators, and big locks on their doors in case of another disaster. I hope I never have to experience anything like it again! -- JoAnna Fuller Just look at what happened in a matter of a few days:

Power was lost in 200,000 homes; some wasnt restored for up to two weeks. Food disappeared off the shelves of grocery stores within three days. Rescue crews couldnt reach injured people for at least two to three hours or more. People couldnt find room in shelters and froze to death. Lines were horribly long at gas stations. People were vandalizing homes and stealing furniture to use or firewood. One desperate man shot another to steal his generator.

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Trees were breaking and falling on houses. Food continued to be scarce for two to three months.

A three-month supply of food and emergency supplies would have eliminated so much pain and stress for anyone who took the time or effort to plan ahead. Most of us dont think it could happen to us.

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Chapter 1 - Why Store?

Many people have been reluctant to store food or emergency supplies in the past because they havent seen the need for it. Sometimes budget is an issue. With the cost of groceries constantly rising, it seems even more unrealistic. However, think about how our way of life is rapidly changing. Items we have taken for granted may not be so readily available. Suddenly it may become a necessity to have a food storage program and we will have to find a way to do it. Dont wait for an emergency; by then it will be too late. If JoAnnas story of the winter ice storm isnt enough to convince you to begin a food storage program, you may want to consider the many other reasons to be concerned.

Plan ahead: It wasnt raining when Noah built the arc.

-- Richard Cushing

12 Good Reasons for Storage

(There may be a few others, but Im sure you get the point)

Unemployment Price Hikes And Shortages Illness Interruption in the food delivery chain Natural Disasters-Earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods Peace of Mind More and More Genetically Modified Crops Taking Advantage of Sales Helping Others Convenience of Having Items on Hand
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Special Diets Questionable food safety and products imported from foreign countries

Unemployment
Through the years our family has gone through times of unemployment. Not only is it hard on the pocketbook, but it is an emotional loss as well. Because we had a small food storage program we were able to make it through the hard times without turning to family and friends for assistance. My mom often-times remembered that period in our lives when my children were small, she would shake her head and say to me, Do you remember how much split pea soup and oatmeal you ate? How could I forget? But, honestly it wasn't so bad. Our children were young and preferred a simple diet with little meat. They loved the wholegrain pancakes with berries, scrambled eggs, soups and casseroles. Broccoli is still one of my youngest son's favorites. In fact, when he was two, he asked for seconds on the "baby trees." Good whole grains, legumes, sprouts, and vegetables can provide essential protein if you plan it right. We felt quite secure knowing we had rice, beans, grains and other items stored. Even if your storage program isnt large, it can be adequate for a while, until your life situation stabilizes. The emotional part of it can be eased because you dont have to worry about where your next meal is going to come from - even if it is split pea soup!

Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if hes buying.
-- Fran Lebowitz

Security is a pantry full of food!

-- Karen Lee

Price Hikes and Shortages

We've been watching food prices escalate for some time now. When they announced a rice shortage in India, people were flocking to the stores to buy #50lb bags of rice, beans and flour for fear that there

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Healthy Food Storage Guidebook would be more shortages. Prices skyrocketed because of demand. stores were rationing the amount people could purchase. Some

Big corporations are causing farmers in poorer countries to replace their usual life-sustaining crops of rice and wheat with corn to make ethanol and that nasty culprit known as High Fructose Corn Syrup, which goes into making cereal, fruit juices, crackers and processed foods. If you check labels you will be surprised to find it in almost everything. Dont wait for shortages to occur. to afford the prices! You probably wont be able

Illness
Many people have suffered severe illnesses that have wiped out their savings accounts. The cost of life-saving drugs can be astronomical. Some can barely afford to pay for their homes, let alone buy food. Most of us dont want to rely on government programs to help us afford basic staples like food. Not only that, but more and more government programs are being cut. Having your own food storage program eliminates the need to worry about one more thing.

Interruption in Food Delivery

I hate to mention the word terrorism because I am not trying to use scare techniques to get you to store. (Although, if that is the only way to motivate you, then I guess that it would be okay.) Our delivery trucks and trains are run by computer systems. If the grid goes down, there will be no deliveries. Stores only carry enough food for a few days, and it could take a week, even months to get deliveries up and running again. Natural disasters and weather conditions can also disrupt deliveries. Bottom line: Store some emergency food and supplies, even if you cant afford much. (I realize that some people are on very limited incomes.) A friend of mine told me of one lady in Hawaii who couldnt afford a regular food storage program, so she stored what she could afford; several boxes of soda crackers and water. When a Tsunami hit the island, she was able to provide her neighbors and herself with these items which sustained them for several days. 17 HealthyFoodStorage.com

Healthy Food Storage Guidebook (I am not recommending this for a sufficient food storage program, by the way.) Just dont become discouraged if you cant afford a gourmet food storage program right up front. Even soda crackers are better than nothing! Store whatever you can afford.

Natural Disasters
We only have to look at the effects of hurricane Katrina to understand what can happen in a catastrophe. Many people went without food and clean water for days on end, and some died. Not to mention the panic and utter chaos they endured. Even having a four-day emergency kit would have helped people until rescuers arrived. We have seen many more floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes in the last few years than ever before. In many of these instances, clean water was the most difficult commodity to find. Water storage is cheap for most people. while you can! Take advantage of it

Peace of Mind
Just knowing that you are prepared for an emergency anxiety that we all have as we wonder about our future. our families will be taken care of will lift some of the Knowing that we dont have to race out to the store in a disaster happens is comforting. can ease the Knowing that burden. panic if some

Wouldnt it be great if everyone in our community had an emergency storage program? Then we wouldnt have to worry about shortages. There wouldnt have to be raids on stores and emergency workers could take care of those who need medical attention and shelter. Having even a small amount of supplies can be the best investment you could ever make. Maybe it sounds impossible, but I believe we can make a difference in our own small area of control. Education is an important element no matter what your life circumstances are. Spread the word to close friends and family about the importance of a food storage program! (Just dont advertise yours to the world, or they may be knocking at your door one day!) 18 HealthyFoodStorage.com

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Genetically-Modified Foods
Almost all of our corn and soybeans are genetically-modified. I am underlining this because it is important that you know what this means to our bodies. GMOs or genetically-modified organisms are foods that have had their seeds genetically altered to achieve a specific purpose. To make it simple, the DNA of one variety of food or organism is inserted into another variety. I dont know about you, but doesnt common sense tell us that we are tampering with something that shouldnt be tampered with? Originally the claim was that GMOs were designed to help with food shortages, and in eliminating disease in third world countries, but in reality, it is meant to put more profits in the hands of large corporations and their stockholders. Our bodies are not prepared to recognize genetically-altered food. An important study in the U.K. in 2004 showed GMOs can cause disease, tumors and mutations in rats. More and more of our crops are being grown in this manner. Bigname companies are requiring it and soon we wont be able to get natural, unmodified food!

Take time now to get unaltered food for your storage program.

Take Advantage of Sales

When you are doing your regular grocery shopping, or you go to the store for a particular item, you are forced to pay whatever the going price is for that day. This can add to the cost of your monthly food budget. When you have a storage program, you have the opportunity to take your time and find things on sale. You can also buy in bulk to save money. I feel Ive accomplished something when I find a sale and can stock up on storage items at a great low price.

The money you save can pay for a small portion of your food storage!

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Helping Others
Just like the lady in Hawaii, we can take the opportunity to help others who are unable to have a storage program. Some people might not like the idea of spending their hard-earned money on someone else. I dont know about you, but I wouldnt want to be sitting there with my stash of food watching the children in the neighborhood starve!

If you want others to be happy show compassion. If you want to be happy, show compassion.
-- The Dalai Lama

Having Things on Hand

When our pantry is stocked up with items that we use on a consistent basis, we dont run out of things at the last minute. I can plan on baking something special on a whim and know that I wont have to run to the store in order to make it. You will get used to the convenience and wont want to go back to the old way of shopping when you get a paycheck. Having your own grocery store saves time, money and gasoline.

Special Diets
Some of us have special foods in our diets because of healthrelated issues or food allergies. It is important to have these special foods available in an emergency because emergency programs will not provide these items. Not much consideration is given when food is flown or dropped in. They supply whatever they can get.

Questionable Food Safety

Much of our food today is imported from foreign countries and we dont know whats in it. We need to find safe food for storage before more of this food becomes our main food source. (One example is the melamine in food products shipped from China in 2008.)

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