Short-Term Food Storage Makes Sense

Had you even heard of Supply Chain Disruption before 2019?  Shortages of items we want/need for our household, along with steadily rising prices are a new reality. Because the USA imports so many of our consumer and medical products, it introduces a greater chance for supply interruption.  

Whether the food on your table is USA grown and packaged, or comes from outside our country, transporting it to your local stores is a link in the supply chain.  Home storage of an emergency supply of essential items is sensible for COVID times and other emergencies/disasters. 

This article is about simple, short-term pantry storage from which you could create meals, without relying upon grocery store supplies or the benefit of refrigerated foods -- for several weeks 

Here is the basic strategy:  Increase your home supply of the packaged/canned goods your family likes to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, treats/snacks.  Do not store items/brands your family hates.

When you shop, have alternative products/brands in mind -- foods that, while not preferred, are acceptable to your family. This provides you a Plan B shopping list should you see sale items, or find the shelves empty of family favorites.

Do you rotate food storage into your regular meal planning and then replace next time you shop?  I am not very good at rotation, so I buy items that have a longer expiration date.  

Keep it simple.

Breakfast:  I store a pancake mix that is complete except for water.  A number #10 can of whole eggs is a good investment in short-term food storage.  Add some canned meat (Vienna Sausages, canned ham, etc.) or bacon bits, canned mushrooms, some canned diced tomatoes and you have an omelet.  By itself, the egg mix makes decent scrambled eggs. I store canned fruit. If you are planning on dried milk for cereal, think about adding some cans of evaporated milk to sweeten the taste.  BTW, each brand of dried milk has a different taste.  Does your family like any of the boxed non-dairy “milks”?  

Lunch:  When it comes to peanut butter, jam/jelly, honey or meat sandwich filling, your family may have favorite brands.  Even so, have them try/rate a few others, perhaps more economical alternatives.  Soup and crackers are a staple pantry lunch. If you include bread in your short-term storage, rotate quickly.  Consider pancakes as an alternative. 

Dinner:  Mac N Cheese is a favorite.  Various pastas are economical.  Because the sauce makes the meal, does your family have a favorite pasta sauce? Again, try other brands.  Do you like canned chili?  I store Cattle Drive brand (COSTCO) and mix with a less expensive store brand, along with diced tomatoes for an entrée.  Include canned vegetables in your short-term storage.  

Treats:  What does your family reach for when snacking or wanting a treat? Consider: crackers and cheese spread, or peanut butter & honey; cups of pudding/fruit; bagged candy or candy bars; protein or nut bars (be mindful of expiration); popcorn; chips and salsa.  Treats/snacks boost morale. 

Don’t forget to include safe drinking water for a few weeks.  

Refer to the next article for long-term Storage strategies.