The Key To Survival Food: Preparation
In a survival situation, one of the most important things to
have is a good supply of food. Without it, the average person will not last
very long, as we all know. However, if you wait until an emergency takes place,
it’s likely that you will not be able to procure the food items you need. Even
more sure is the fact that you will not be able to get them in the amounts it
will take to last, should the situation turn dire.
Start Preparing NOW
If you haven’t already started an emergency food pantry, go
ahead and do that now. Even an allotment of ten dollars per shopping trip will
add up faster than you think. The more you’re able to put towards food
preservation the better, just remember that you want food items that will need
no refrigeration or freezing.
Some of the best items to make sure you have on hard are:
- Canned Food: Canned good will last several months to several years, depending on when it was canned and what the expiration date is. Make sure that you can read that date well and replace any items that happen to expire before they are needed. Restocking, if done right, costs very little and can add up quickly. Shop sales, discount grocery, thrift grocery stores and scratch and dent sales.
- Freeze Dried Foods: These prepackaged foods will generally last several years on the shelf or in your pantry. With the proper equipment, you can even make your own, but make sure you follow all detailed instructions so that no bacteria are able to get inside your food.
- Non-perishable Foods – These foods also tend to have a long shelf life, however some can go bad faster in hotter climates. For emergency pantry purposes, with modern air conditioning that is available, we don’t have to worry. However, choose these items carefully if you do not have air conditioning or will not have it for long periods of time. For instance, following a major disaster, loss of electricity will means these items can go bad quickly.
- Military Rations: Also known as MRE’s, or Meals Ready to Eat, these are generally the last chosen rations because they are bland in taste, at best. However, in a true emergency, they will do if there is nothing else to be had and can sustain you for a while. They do last a very long time in storage and climate usually does not affect them over those long storage times.
The Use of Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements
In the case of a disaster that leaves you without the
ability to get fresh fruits and vegetables for long periods of time, it’s
possible for your health to deteriorate very quickly. If the only things you
have to live on as far as food is concerned are the above-mentioned items, you
will probably not meet the nutritional values that you should have.
In a case like this, it’s a good idea to have a stockpile of
vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy for longer periods of time. This is
likely to be an area that many people will not consider when stockpiling their
food.
When choosing your vitamins and supplements, make sure to
choose a manufacturer that is trusted and has no ongoing issues such as
lawsuits or recalls. The more trusted the manufacturer, the more likely your
health is to be truly sustained when you are dependent on these types of
things.
Stockpiling Your Own Food From Scratch
This is a great idea and one that will save you loads of
money over the long haul. However, especially with canned goods, make sure you
consider the type of container these foods will be kept in. For instance, glass
jars are great for keeping food safe and edible for several years, however, you
will not be able to transport them easily.
Home freeze-drying and smoking are also great ideas for
putting up food, but again, make sure your containers will be able to withstand
the time and the movement it may take should the necessity arise.
Final Note
Whatever you think you will need, remember that the key is
preparedness. Choosing the method that best suits your family and your family’s
needs is a personal choice. What works for one family may not work for yours,
and vice versa.
It might be something you want to spend some time
researching before coming to a definite decision. Remember, safety first. Your
life may depend on it.
