It may be difficult to immediately gather the recommended 3-month supply of foods that you normally eat. Here are some ideas to help you gather these essential foods over time, without going into debt in the process.
- Make a list of foods you eat on a regular basis, and determine how much you would go through in three months.
- Gradually purchase these foods in bulk as they go on sale (see below).
- Use and rotate these foods in all your daily cooking.
- Constantly replenish the stocks of these foods as they go on sale again.
- Don’t forget to include non-food items in this step as well. Get a 3 month supply of NECESSITIES such as diapers, medications, toilet paper, toiletries, etc. Remember, only the essentials for now.
- Benefits include: saving money by buying foods on sale and having foods you normally eat in times of economic or any other type of hardship.
How to Create a Three-month Food Supply using a Two-week Menu Plan
This plan is pretty clear cut. Ask each member of your family what their favorite meals are. McDonald’s is not an option so leave that, along with all other fast food favorites, off the menu. Select a variety of recipes with mostly shelf stable ingredients.
Let us use one of our family favorites as an example. Spaghetti with meatballs, green salad, green beans and garlic bread make a delightful meal especially when followed with a slice of cheesecake. Shelf-stable ingredients include the pasta, canned spaghetti sauce, green beans, ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, powdered milk and no-bake cheese cake. Frozen meatballs are in the freezer, which I count in my three month supply. The fresh green salad is not a good storage item so it may or may not be available. Dinner will be fine without it.
Make a list of the ingredients for all 42 recipes (14 breakfast, 14 lunch, and 14 dinner). Multiply each ingredient by six and you have a three month supply of everything you need to make this menu for three months. We personally have a menu for winter and a different menu for summer because we eat quite differently depending on the time of year. More soups and stews in the winter and more fresh vegetables and salads in the summer. This can save a lot of “what’s for dinner” stress.
First Time Shopping List for an Emergency Food Supply
In addition to the foods in the following list, remember that a person needs to add vitamins and nutrients to this emergency diet to maintain bodily functions and overall health. To add a variety to this emergency diet, you can begin accumulating different types of canned goods or can your own. Concentrate your efforts on goods that provide you with loads of vitamins and proteins. Canned goods such as canned meats, canned beans, soups, canned vegetables and fruits. And remember to buy foods that your family normally eats.
- 10 lbs. of white or wheat flour (Both would be better. Remember the Prepper Golden Rule: 1 is none and 2 is 1)
- 10 lbs. of corn meal
- 5 lbs. of oats
- 20 lbs. of rice (white rice stores better than brown rice)
- 12 lbs of pasta
- 20 lbs of beans (pinto beans are usually packed in heavier quantities)
- 5 lbs of mixed beans (lentils, mixed bean soup, black beans, etc)
- 5 lbs of sugar
- 2 lbs of salt (this is a multipurpose prep item, click here for more information).
- 1 gallon of cooking oil
- 2 large containers of peanut butter
- 5 lbs of powdered milk
- 1 lb of baking soda
- 1 lb of baking powder
- 0.5 lbs of yeast
- 1 gallon of vinegar
- 1 gallon of drinking water per day (I would round up here. You can never have too much water)
- 1 gallon of bleach for sanitation and treating water
Stonewood Neighbors 