Emergency Food Storage in a Nutshell

Food storage tips and updates

2011-12-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

As authors of Emergency Food in a Nutshell, Leslie Probert and Lisa Harkness, we continue to learn about food storage and remain committed to pass on our best information. You may click on archive arrows before each date, and select from past topics.

Food storage gifts that make a difference

2011-12-08T10:19:00.002-07:00

If you're looking for food storage gift ideas for Christmas or for birthdays, check out Leslie's article here.

Food storage tips and updates

2011-12-08T09:45:00.001-07:00

Emergency Sanitation and Hygiene

2011-12-08T09:41:00.003-07:00

Go to National Terror Response Center for important information about preventing the spread of disease after a disaster strikes, including how to deal with human waste when sewer mains are damaged or broken. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. Ideas are given for making temporary toilet provisions and waste disposal.

Disaster preparedness

2011-12-08T09:26:00.003-07:00

Don’t be fooled by FEMA administrative difficulties during recent disasters…FEMA’s Are You Ready? book is an outstanding resource for individuals and families to prepare for disasters. Disaster preparedness information can be complicated to gather and remember. This concise information is laid out in easy- to- read bullets with a simple self-test at the end of each section. Order a free copy at www.fema.gov/areyouready or call 1-800-480-2520. Don’t forget to read the “After A Disaster” section at the back of the book…ahead of time.

FEMA also offers a children’s coloring book with simple information for teaching children about disasters. This is a great resource to help children remember what to do in case of a disaster.

Rice over 30 years

2011-09-30T15:39:00.002-06:00

Even though stored in a container without oxygen, rice will develop a slightly yellow color and rancid smell. These will disappear when the rice is cooked. If rice has more that a slight rancid smell and a darker color, it should be discarded.

Shelf life of spices

2011-08-08T11:21:00.002-06:00

When food storage becomes complicated, people become discouraged and give up. Keeping track of the age of spices is a complication!! Spices keep their flavor for many years. If the flavor of a spice seems to be fading, add a little more to recipes until it is used up.

Buying bouillon

2011-08-08T11:20:00.000-06:00

When storing bouillon for food storage, it doesn’t have to be purchased in a #10 can. Store your favorite brand from the grocery store.

Some bouillon in #10 cans may have a less intense flavor, requiring more in a recipe. Be sure to ask for a taste before buying in bulk.

What if you have allergies?

2011-08-08T11:01:00.002-06:00

You'll find some ideas for food storage here.

Buying powdered milk

2011-06-03T09:18:00.002-06:00

When comparing prices of different brands of powdered milk in #10 cans, check the number of ounces per can. Some brands contain only 30 oz., while others contain around 50 oz. Make sure you know how much you are buying, even if the milk is on sale.

Whey-based powdered milk can taste delicious. Be aware that dairy creamer containing corn syrup and other additives is often added to improve the flavor. This sweeter milk, when added to cream soups, can alter the flavor of the soup, and having few milk solids, cannot be used to make yogurt or cheese.

Buying powdered dairy products

2011-06-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

All the brands of powdered eggs, butter, margarine, or shortening we have tried are very similar in quality. Look for sales and check the list of ingredients on the label for only 1-2 additives.

News Articles

2011-04-16T13:11:00.006-06:00

For more information on food storage, read Leslie Probert's articles in the Deseret News Mormon Times online. Click here.

Buying food in buckets or #10 cans?

2011-04-16T13:03:00.000-06:00

We highly recommend rotating the food you store in fast and delicious recipes. If you know you will find it hard to open a more expensive bucket of food, consider buying your food in #10 cans. Many people find it easier to open and experiment with food in a #10 can.

Keep in mind that larger containers, like buckets, are heavy to lift, move, and stack. #10 cans come six to a box and are easy to carry and very space efficient to stack.

Some people like the large amount of food stored in buckets. If you store them, be aware that you cannot stack buckets more than three high without risking breakage of their airtight seals.

When #10 cans seem too large for single people and couples

2011-04-16T13:02:00.000-06:00

#10 cans of powdered eggs, butter, margarine, shortening can feel daunting to open and consume when only one or two people are using them. #10 cans of dried celery and green peppers, usually used only 1-2 tablespoons at a time in recipes, can also feel overwhelming. Keep in mind that once opened, these foods will be good to use for a year, as long as they are kept away from moisture and light.

You can freeze half the contents of a can until you can use them. Or share the cost of a can among interested family or friends and divide the contents into ziplock bags for use over a period of a year. Bags should be stored in opaque containers to protect food from light. This allows you to rotate what you store.

Plastic Storage Buckets with Mylar bags

2011-04-16T12:58:00.001-06:00

Plastic buckets are air permeable, and resent studies have shown seals in both regular and gamma lids are unreliable. Lining buckets with Mylar bags, which can be sealed, protects food from oxygen.

You can buy food packaged in buckets lined with Mylar bags, called Superpails. Or you can purchase the bags, buckets, and oxypaks (oxygen absorbers) and package foods yourself. Look for bags with ziplock closures, which close easily after opening, protecting your food from moisture. Ziplock closures make bags easy to seal after adding your own food and oxypaks. Some people prefer to buy Mylar bags that must be heat sealed to ensure bags are sealed well.

This method of packaging is especially beneficial for rice, oats and other foods that have a greater risk of going rancid. (Rancid foods are dangerous to eat.)

Simple way to kill insects in food for long term storage

2011-04-16T12:57:00.000-06:00

When food is stored an oxygen deprived environment for 12 days, insects in all stages are killed. Oxygen absorbers in sealed containers are the most effective way to kill insects.

Oxygen absorbers work very well in #10 cans. However, buckets must be lined with Mylar bags to ensure an environment where insects cannot survive.

Grain Mills

2010-11-03T23:11:00.000-06:00

If you are storing whole grains, like wheat, consider getting a grain mill for your family for Christmas, or asking family members to donate to your grain mill fund for Christmas and your birthday.

Electric grain mills produce fine flour, which makes light baked foods like we are used to eating. These are great for busy people who want a fast way to grind wheat so they will use it regularly. When purchasing an electric mill, ask about the noise level and how much flour it makes at a time. Consider how easy the mill is to store.

In a time without electricity, a hand grain mill will be important. Before making a purchase, consider how fine you want your flour. It’s important to ask this specific question or test a mill yourself, if possible.

An inexpensive grain mill that is easy to turn, grinds flour quickly, and produces medium fine flour can be purchased for around $60-$80. This flour makes good-tasting baked foods that are more coarse and heavy than those made with fine flour.

If you want fine flour, like you get from an electric mill, a grain mill with stone burrs produces the finest flour. The trade off for producing fine flour requires more muscle, as these are stiff to turn. If you want less effort turning the handle, you have the option of passing grain through this grinder twice, on a coarse and then a fine setting. For this option, make sure the mill allows flour to pass through a second time.

Steel burrs are necessary for grinding oily or wet seeds and legumes, including beans. Some hand grain mills come with both stone and steel burrs that can be used interchangeably.

Make sure you can open your cans!

2010-11-03T23:10:00.000-06:00

A good can opener is important to have if you store food in a large number of cans. Buy a heavy-duty manual can opener, usually found at your grocery store. Less expensive ones do not last with heavy use.

Water Storage Information

2010-09-01T21:54:00.001-06:00

Current recommendations for stored water are a minimum of 14 gallons/person, enough for about 2 weeks. National emergency authorities recommend changing and replacing your stored tap water every 6 months. It’s easy to remember to do this in the spring and again in the fall.

FEMA and the American Red Cross say pre-treating tap water that is treated commercially by a water treatment facility with bleach will not increase its storage life and is not necessary. If you store water from a well, or public water that is not treated, follow instructions provided by your local public health authority or water provider.

Easy Water Storage Ideas

2010-09-01T21:53:00.000-06:00

If you don’t want to store your own tap water, you can store water in one of the following ways:

Buy commercially bottled water in cases. Follow the expiration dates on the bottles.

Commercial water service companies, such as Culligan, sell water bottled in 5-gallon containers, which they deliver to businesses and homes. Culligan recommends a storage life of 2 years. The company delivers new bottles and takes away the old, making this a great idea for water storage if you live in an apartment or condo, or are elderly. Call your local company for cost of deposit and delivery.

Storing Charcoal

2010-08-13T09:17:00.000-06:00

August and September are good times to look for end of season sales on charcoal and stock up. This is a great cooking fuel to store because it stores indefinitely.

Charcoal must be protected against moisture. The Kingsford Charcoal company says charcoal left in the original paper packaging can be stored in containers lined with garbage bags in a garage or shed. Consult your local authorities for safeguards against spontaneous charcoal combustion in your area.

When storing any fuel in or around your residence, you must check your insurance policy and any applicable city or county ordinances.

Extending Shelf Life of Stored Food

2010-06-03T14:59:00.001-06:00

It is important to keep food away from humidity, air, light and high temperatures. (Think HALT to help you remember). Of these, high temperatures are the most destructive to the quality of food.

When you have a choice, avoid storing food in clear plastic containers which diminishes nutrition and quality of food with exposure to light. In humid climates, transfer food in #10 cans to ziplock or other closeable bags and return it to the cans for further protection.

New News about Storing Mayonnaise

2010-06-03T14:58:00.008-06:00

The Association of Dressing and Sauces, representing a large number of major US companies, says “more than 60 years of research has proven that commercially prepared mayonnaise does not cause foodbourne illness.” Strict standards are used in creating commercial mayonnaise and mayonnaise-type salad dressings using pasteurized eggs and a careful balance vinegar, lemon juice and salt, which slows and even stops the growth of bacteria. Foods added to mayonnaise, like chicken, ham or potatoes, are the cause of bacterial growth in dishes. See www.dressings-sauces.org/mayonnaise.html .

Page 2 of the pamphlet “Make Mine Mayonnaise,” located on this website, states in the Q&A section that commercial mayonnaise and mayonnaise-type dressings are safe to store at room temperature after they are opened. Labels suggest refrigerating these foods after opening only to ensure high quality and freshness.

This means that in an emergency without electricity, continued use of commercial mayonnaise and mayonnaise-type dressings is a safe possibility. If you decide to do this, consider purchasing these products packaged in squeeze bottles for extra safety, minimizing introduction of bacteria into the contents as they are used. Store these products in the coolest, darkest place possible.

Storing Oil and Dressings

2010-06-03T14:56:00.001-06:00

The shelf life of oil and dressings is around 1-2 years. Maximize shelf life of these foods by storing them in a cool place away from light, even in a paper bag, if necessary.

The majority of oil stored will be used to make bread. It should be rotated as often as you are able. Replace rancid stores with new oil, which is relatively inexpensive. Rancid oil is dangerous to eat and should always be thrown out.

Storing Lecithin

2010-06-03T14:54:00.000-06:00

Lecithin can be stored for use in making bread in place of oil. This has a longer shelf life than oil, however, it is harder to find and is more expensive.

NEW Puff-dried Carrots

2010-01-12T11:47:00.002-07:00

Dried carrots contribute important vitamin A to food storage. Yet for some people, dried carrots can have a strong taste and smell, even in soup or main dish recipes with plenty of spices. They also require cooking for 25-30 minutes to become tender.

New puff-dried carrots have now appeared on the market. These are made using partial dehydration followed by either sudden heat for 30-90 seconds, or sudden pressure reduction in a pressure chamber, causing them to puff. Puff-dried carrots have a GREAT flavor, tasting like fresh carrots. In fact, they can be eaten right out of the can! They hydrate and cook in 5-10 minutes, and taste so good they can be served alone as a side dish.

Search online to learn where to buy them. The taste and nutrition make them worth the additional cost compared to dried carrots.

What About a Pre-packaged Year’s Supply of Dried Foods?

2009-04-13T11:42:00.001-06:00

These are convenient to purchase all at one time and may contain delicious freeze-dried foods, but can be expensive. Plan to store extra water required to prepare this food. There is an argument for storing a combination of canned and dried foods, reducing the amount of water to store and rotate.

Emergency Sanitation and Hygiene

2008-10-21T16:38:00.005-06:00

Go to National Terror Response Center www.nationalterroralert.com/sanitationhygiene/ for important information about preventing the spread of disease after a disaster strikes, including how to deal with human waste when sewer mains are damaged or broken. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. Ideas are given for making temporary toilet provisions and waste disposal.