Just how prepared are you when it comes to keeping your family from starving? All things point to hard times ahead. Christians refer to it as the Tribulation, some believe in the year 2012 the world as we know it will cease to exist. Some believe in the scientific ramblings of asteroids, solar sunbursts, openings in the ozone layer, what-have-you. It could be a matter of job lay-offs, natural disasters such as flooding, drought, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe weather (like we experienced in KY in 2009) with ice storms and loss of power for days, weeks and months for some. No matter where your mindset is, no matter what the circumstances are, how well are you prepared?

You’ve already done a little of the homework. You know how many are in your immediate family, living under your roof. You know what special conditions they have. Now comes the fun part. Menus, perishable and non-perishable foods, what and how much to buy, how to store it safely and for long keeping are the next things to take into consideration. There are a number of websites that I’ll list at the bottom of this post that are excellent references and offer more insight as the why’s and wherefores.

How much and what to buy?
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

I pass along many references from the Mormons because many of the food storage plans you’ll read about are based on what they have already created.

Take a look at this link. I’ve given you the basics for 1 adult and 1 child. You may either multiply these calculations based on the numbers in your household or use the link and do the math all at once.

Based on the calculations for 1 adult, which the calculator bases the age at 7 years old or older, the following is needed for a 1 year food storage


Grains
Wheat 150 lbs
Flour 25 lbs
Corn Meal 25 lbs
Oats 25 lbs
Rice 50 lbs
Pasta 25 lbs
Total Grains 300 lbs

Fats and Oils
Shortening 4 lbs
Vegetable Oil 2 gal
Mayonnaise 2 qts
Salad Dressing 1 qts
Peanut Butter 4 lbs
Total Fats 13 lbs

Legumes
Beans, dry 30 lbs
Lima Beans 5 lbs
Soy Beans 10 lbs
Split Peas 5 lbs
Lentils 5 lbs
Dry Soup Mix 5 lbs
Total Legumes 60 lbs

Sugars
Honey 3 lbs
Sugar 40 lbs
Brown Sugar 3 lbs
Molasses 1 lbs
Corn Syrup 3 lbs
Jams 3 lbs
Fruit drink powdered 6 lbs
Flavored Gelatin 1 lbs
Total Sugars 60 lbs

Milk
Dry Milk 60 lbs
Evaporated Milk 12 can
Other 13 lbs
Total Dairy 85 lbs

Cooking Essentials
Baking Powder 1 lbs
Baking Soda 1 lbs
Yeast 1/2 lbs
Salt 5 lbs
Vinegar 1/2 gal

Water
Water 14 gal
Bleach 1 gal



Based on the calculations for a child up to the age of 6 years, the following is needed for a 1 year food storage supply.
Grains
Wheat 75 lbs
Flour 12 lbs
Corn Meal 12 lbs
Oats 12 lbs
Rice 25 lbs
Pasta 12 lbs
Total Grains 148 lbs
Fats and Oils
Shortening 2 lbs
Vegetable Oil 1 gal
Mayonnaise 1 qts
Salad Dressing 1 qts
Peanut Butter 2 lbs
Total Fats 7 lbs
Legumes
Beans, dry 16 lbs
Lima Beans 1 lbs
Soy Beans 5 lbs
Split Peas 1 lbs
Lentils 1 lbs
Dry Soup Mix 1 lbs
Total Legumes 25 lbs
Sugars
Honey 1 lbs
Sugar 20 lbs
Brown Sugar 1 lbs
Molasses 1 lbs
Corn Syrup 1 lbs
Jams 1 lbs
Fruit drink powdered 3 lbs
Flavored Gelatin 1 lbs
Total Sugars 29 lbs
Milk
Dry Milk 30 lbs
Evaporated Milk 6 can
Other 6 lbs
Total Dairy 42 lbs
Cooking Essentials
Baking Powder 1 lbs
Baking Soda 1 lbs
Yeast 0.5 lbs
Salt 3 lbs
Vinegar 0.5 gal
Water
Water 14 gal
Bleach 1 gal


This seems like a lot of food to buy, grow, process and store. It is!! But, considering that we are advised to be prudent and lay aside enough for 1 year, this is the basic necessity list that we need to survive. You ask, but we like corn. Corn is a vegetable, a starch and has some nutritive value. Where are the fruits? No, they aren’t included in these calculations. They are extras. Yes, buy and store them. I don’t like soybeans or split peas. Do you? That means I need to take the amounts given and divide it and add it to the other legumes listed. Again, listed above are just the essentials. Eat what you store and store what you eat is a commonly heard statement regarding food storage. Don’t get what others think you might need.

Stay tuned for part B "Where to start"