The first preparedness challenge in December is to buy sugars for your food storage, which may include: white or brown sugar, powdered sugar, jam or jelly, agave nectar, or molasses. We’ll buy pancake syrup in February with our breakfast foods. Store a 3-month supply of sugar if you live in a small home, and a year’s supply for a large home.
Buy Food Storage Sugars
WHITE SUGAR
- The recommended amount of sugar for one adult for a year is 60 lbs. Adjust amounts for children: Age 3 and under, 50%; 4-6, 70%; 7-10, 90%; 11 and up 100%.
- One example of 60 lbs.: 24 lbs. white sugar, 16 lbs. brown & powdered sugar, 6 lbs. of honey, 6 lbs. of maple syrup and 8 lbs. of jam.
- I put Costco sugar in a 5-gallon food grade bucket lined with a Mylar bag and use an easy to open Gamma twist lid. Never put oxygen absorber packets in white sugar, or it will become rock solid.
- I also buy 30-year shelf-life canned sugar from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 5.6 lb. #10 cans for $8.33 (2024). Read more at providentliving.org.
BROWN SUGAR AND POWDERED SUGAR
- I store 10 to 12 x 2-lb. brown sugar and powdered sugar bags in 5-gallon buckets. Buying smaller bags keeps my brown sugar soft.
HONEY
- You could store 45 lbs. of honey instead of white sugar. Honey is sweeter than sugar. However, 45 lbs. of honey costs about $200, whereas white sugar costs about $26.
- Honey stores best at room temperature or in a pantry, but will crystalize more quickly in a cold storage room.
- Crystallized honey can be softened in a pan of warm water. Do NOT microwave honey as this kills nutrients.
- Keep honey in its original plastic or glass container away from air and light, and avoid storing on a windowsill or near an oven.
- Do not reuse the spoon you dipped in your honey after you spread it on bread as it contaminates the container of honey.
- Here’s an old list of Utah honey sources.
As you gather over time, you can build up a wonderful supply of food storage sugars.
Stock up your way for your family!
Valerie Albrechtsen
The Food Storage Organizer
Purchase my food storage and emergency preparedness items in my Etsy shop.
