Our third preparedness challenge in March is to buy long-term beans for your food storage. And yes, you have a choice to buy or not to buy! Many of you like to cook with canned beans each week, but some of you have family members who don’t like beans. This week, decide if you will store long-term beans and buy them.
Buy Long-Term Food Storage Beans
To help you decide if long-term beans are for you, answer these questions:
- Does my family like dried beans? If so, which type of beans?
- Do I have space for cans or buckets of dried beans?
- Would I rather store small cans of prepared beans even though they are more expensive?
- Do I like to cook with dried beans or am I willing to learn how to cook with dried beans?
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.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recommends an adult store 12 #10 cans or 60 pounds of dried beans for a year’s supply of food storage. This could include other legumes such as dried peas or lentils. Adjust amounts for children: Age 3 and under, 50%; 4-6, 70%; 7-10, 90%; 11 and up 100%.
- You may buy long-term black, white or pinto beans at Latter-day Saint Home Storage Centers or online. Or you may purchase from other food storage companies.
- Purchase a few cans and practice cooking with dried beans. Most people are successful using a pressure cooker.
BEAN FACTS
- 1-pound Latter-day Saint dried black beans = 3 x 15.5 oz. cans of prepared beans, drained
- 1 x 5.5 lb. can Latter-day Saint dried black beans = 16.5 x15.5 oz. cans of prepared beans
PROTEIN IN SEVERAL FOODS
- 550g = 1 x 5.5 lb. can Latter-day Saint dried black beans
- 24.5g = 15.5 oz. can kidney, white, pinto, black or refried beans
- 24g = 5 oz. tuna fish can drained
- 45.5g = 12.5 oz. Costco Kirkland chicken breast can drained
- 168g = 28 oz. peanut butter
I hope these facts help you buy long-term dried beans for your food storage.
Best wishes and stay focused,
Valerie Albrechtsen
The Food Storage Organizer
Purchase my food storage and emergency preparedness items in my Etsy shop.
