Do you REALLY have a year's supply?

I think that I over estimate the amount of food storage that I have. After reading an article in the LDS Preparedness Manual, I realized that I have a lot more to store to have enough food to sustain my family for a year. Click HERE if you would like to read this manual. (It is not endorsed by the church)

To make 2 loaves a bread every other day for one year, using 6 cups of wheat flour, requires 275lbs of wheat. That is 5 1/2 buckets of wheat just for bread. You would also need 4 gallons of oil, 46lbs of honey, 8lb yeast. 61 cups of gluten, 3 2/3 quarts of lemon juice and 7.3lbs of salt. When it is laid out for you like that it really makes me think of how much I REALLY need of each ingredient.

When planning your 3-month menu you multiply ingredients to make sure you have enough for the whole 3 months. The same applies to a year's supply. The amounts of food that the Church recommends for our food storage are the bare minimum that you should store. You will be fed, but still hungry! The numbers below are for a 400lb grain storage for one adult. (Children under 6 only need 75lbs of wheat per child.)

So, just how much do you need?Two 5 gallon buckets will hold about 75lbs of wheat, rice or other grains. This means that you will need 11 buckets of grain for each person in your family.

If you store all your grains in #10 cans...

Wheat, Rice, Corn, etc..
You would need 64 cans or 10.5 cases per person.

 


Pasta
You would need 32 cans or 5.25 cases per person.

Rolled Oats
These are lighter but bulkier, so they require more storage containers and space. You would need 124 cans or 21 cases per person.

Beans
 
A 25lb bag of beans will about fit in a single 5 gallon bucket, with a little space over, so 2 buckets would hold a one person supply, or 12-13 #10 cans.

 


Reading this really made me think of how much I really had. I give you this information only to make you think of your storage, not to stress you out. Plan out your menus and add up the numbers so you know exactly what you will need.  It also puts into a visual perspective that living of a tiny loaf of bread and a small amount of beans everyday would lead to appetite fatigue rather quickly.  You need to store a variety of food beyond the basics in your storage. 

This month we are storing wheat and you will need 100lbs per adult and children will need less. On the right side of the blog there is a link for a food storage calculator so you can calculate how much food you will need for your storage. Try it to see, I was surprised by the numbers.

June Goals

This month we are collecting WHEAT for our storage. You will need 150lbs of wheat per person for a year supply and that is the bare minimum. (based on the Church's Home Production & Food Storage Manual) That may seem like a lot and it is :) so remember to only purchase the amounts that your budget allows. . Store the wheat in buckets with oxygen absorbers to keep the bugs out.

If you have wheat allergies there are many other options out there to store. Honeyville Grain has alternate flours, as well as Whole Foods and Winco, who both have bulk areas that allow you to purchase any amount of flour that you need, such as spelt, rice, oat, barley, etc.

Also, you may want to think about how you will grind your wheat. If you don't have a grinder you may want to do a google search for one that will work for you. I own a Nutrimill grinder and I love it.  A manual grinder will be a must without electricity.

This month we are also stocking up on MULTI-VITAMINS AND MEDICINE.  Most of the vitamins I have purchased have a 3 year expiration date.  Keep your eyes out for sales, especially at Rite Aid and Walgreens. Both their ads come in the Sunday paper.

Prescription medicines will have to be brought up with your doctor. Sometimes you are able to purchase a couple months worth, and other times not. Check to see if your medications allow you to do this.

Over-the-counter medicine is a little easier to stock up on. Walmart has a store brand that is very affordable and has the same ingredients as the name brands. I buy a children's ibuprofen and acetaminophen every time I go to there. I also make sure to have adult strength on hand. They are easier to buy in 500 count than children's liquid medicine.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

Pin It