(If you’ve completed the first three steps of the LDS Four-Step Home Storage approach, you may now work on this fourth step. Here are the other steps:
STEP 1: 3-Month Supply
STEP: 2 Drinking Water
STEP 3: Financial Reserve
STEP 4: Longer-Term Supply
“For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans. These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply.”
“Longer-term supply items are basic food items like grains and beans that have very low moisture content (about 10% or less), can be stored for long periods of time (20–30 years), and would sustain life if nothing else were available to eat. A portion of longer-term supply items may be rotated into the three-month supply.” (Frequently Ask Questions, ProvidentLiving.org)
Me: Most people try to gather a year’s supply of long-term foods, however how many months of food you can store in your home depends on your finances and storage space.If you can store a year’s supply, then work towards that goal. Do the best you can for your circumstances. If you live in a studio apartment, you probably don’t have enough space for a year’s supply of food.
ProvidentLiving.org suggestions:
A One-Month Recommended Supply
25 lbs. Wheat, white rice, corn, and other grains 30+ years
5 lbs. Dry beans 30+ years
“You may also want to add other items to your longer-term storage such as sugar, nonfat dry milk, salt, baking soda, and cooking oil. To meet nutritional needs, also store foods containing Vitamin C and other essential nutrients.”
“If stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) these items can remain nutritious and edible for many years –
- Wheat 30+ YRS
- White Rice 30+ YRS(not brown rice)
- Corn 30+ YRS
- Sugar 30+ YRS
- Pinto Beans 30 YRS
- Rolled Oats 30 YRS
- Pasta 30 YRS
- Potato Flakes 30 YRS (not Potato Pearls)
- Apple slices 30 YRS
- Non-fat powdered milk 20 YRS
- Dehydrated Carrots 20 YRS
Foods NOT recommended for long-term storage:
(Me: However, these foods are great in your 3-month supply.)
- Barley, pearled
- Eggs, dried
- Flour, whole wheat
- Grains, milled (other than rolled oats)
- Granola
- Nuts
- Rice, brown
- Dried vegetables and fruits
Decide which items you want to store, study how to store them, and get moving. Good luck!