Right Choice Prepared Segment #3 Training in this segment will help us better understand what to store and how much to store: Food – pantry type Food - basics Water Non-food essentials; medications, toilet paper, etc.

Food and Water Storage Have a Plan #3 Food and Water Storage Have a Plan Take an Inventory - Identify what is lacking Formulate a Good Plan, including the following: Allocate money Commit to a timeline Identify location – make space Purchase and install sturdy shelving Identify and buy the best type of storage containers It’s far better to review and know what you lack rather than focus on what you have.

Food Crisis Time In time of crisis we will undoubtedly eat our convenience food first, especially food that will soon spoil in the refrigerator or freezer if the power is out very long. If the emergency lasts very long this food will be gone. We will then have no choice other than prepare meals from basic ingredients. In addition to the basic ingredients needed to prepare a meal there is also a probable need for a stove to cook food. Since gas and electricity may not be available alternate sources of heat should be arranged for. Propane BBQ grills, camp stoves and solar ovens are great ideas.

We will need, as a very minimum Food The Basics We will need, as a very minimum Wheat, rice, beans, cereal grains Cooking oil Dry milk Sugar Salt Yeast Etc.

Food preparation Knowledge & Skill Are we comfortable with our knowledge and experience in preparing food from basic ingredients? If wheat is part of our storage plan has plans been made for a way to mill it? Or crack it for cereal? Has plans been made for other types of cereal grains?

Food Cereal Grains and Rice Oats Corn Meal Farina (Cream-O-Wheat) Rice Polenta/Grits (ground hominy) Etc. Millet Farro Quinoa Rye Barley This is a list of various cereal grains and rice. Also, dehydrated items; like fruit and jerky and nuts are great storage items.

Food Only store what you eat What do I store? What you normally eat – pantry items The basics – often purchased in bulk quantities If you don’t like a certain food now, you won’t like it any more during a crisis. Only store what you like and normally eat. It’s true, if you get hungry enough everything tastes good, but that’s not the way to prepare. ‘

Food Stored Where Where do I store it? Cool, dark and dry Pantry Closets Under bed Behind couch Etc. Unless you have a great storage room; cool, dark and dry you might have to be creative in where you store.

Food Packaging & Containers What do I store it in? Non-bulk pantry items – original packaging Bulk items – 5 or 6 gallon plastic buckets Plastic buckets are Durable Reusable Relatively cheap Readily available Plastic buckets are recommended, they don’t dent, break or rust.

Water Potable & non-potable How much? Minimum personal consumption – drinking or potable water 2 gallons per person per day x 14 days = 28 gallons Minimum personal use - showering, flushing toilets, etc. – non potable water Total water per person x 2 weeks = 56 gallons That is potable not portable. Potable means it is pure enough that it can go into a pot for food preparation – it is drinkable.

Water Types of storage containers Stored in what? 5 gallon water containers are recommended Portable Easy to fill in a sink without a hose Great to include with 96-Hour Comfort Kit Weigh about as much as one person can carry Don’t stack water containers unless they are designed to be stacked.

Water Stored where Stored where? Out of direct sunlight Cool as possible - basement or garage Don’t place plastic containers directly on concrete. Stack on shelves or insert a piece of plywood between the container and the concrete.