Keep non-perishable foods that will feed your family for 2-3
weeks at the least.
Avoid salty or high-protein foods as they will make
you thirsty. Be sure not to
store food, medicine, vitamins, toothpaste, etc. in trash bags or trash
can liners - they are usually treated with insect killer.

Water: keep a stash of
individual bottles that you can rotate and use. Just clean and refill the
empties - see Water Storage. Include a
water filter and spare cartridges if you can. Also include bleach for treatment
of water. According to the Red Cross, you should stock 1½ - 2 gallons of water
per person per day. for a family of 4, that's 168 gallons of water!!!!
Ice: keep as much as you can. Freeze blocks of water and keep
the freezer gel packs frozen. Freeze bottles of water and use them to keep foods
cold, and you can drink them when they thaw.
Beverages: Shelf juices, Shelf milk (whole lasts longer),
canned milk - evaporated and sweetened condensed, powdered milk, instant
coffee and tea
Prepared
Foods: Canned soups; canned meats, tuna, chicken, turkey, corned beef
hash, SPAM; canned spaghetti and other meals (see comments on pasta below);
canned vegetables and fruits - use the juices from them to drink or to moisten
your food, saving water; canned potatoes, just-add-water packaged mixes - for
sauces, cereals, etc. They are lightweight and compact; peanut butter, jelly,
cheese spreads; cereals - they don't even need milk
Dried Foods: jerky comes in beef and turkey, in a variety of
flavors. They will
keep for years. You can make your own if you'd rather - with a store-bought
dryer, in the sun, or in your oven.
Dairy Products: Powdered eggs (just whites) (or consider
laying chickens);
Cheese - grated Parmesan and Romano, jarred cheese
Desserts and Snacks: dried fruits, snacks (crackers, cookies,
hard candies, unsalted nuts), fruit cocktail, packaged pudding
Pasta, Rice, Dry Legumes: they store almost indefinitely, but
require water to
cook and will do you no good if water supply is limited
Staples and baking needs: sugar, salt, pepper; spices -
you'll need them to doctor up canned foods; cooking oil - for frying or making
roux to thicken sauces and stews. Olive oil will be okay for a while, but check
to see that it does not go rancid; baking mix (Bisquick-type, packaged or
homemade) - store watertight; honey - keep sealed and keep the bottle clean;
dehydrated mushrooms and onions - so you don't have to try to keep fresh;
apple cider vinegar - use that to clean your eggs to save water; mustard and
ketchup
NOTE: dry goods must be kept airtight, especially once they
are opened. Add a scoop or measuring cup for quick use and to prevent having to
wash extra dishes.
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Coming Soon:
Food
Storage Guidelines
Cooking without Power: Recipes &
Handy Tips

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