Ogden Valley
Emergency Preparedness
Where do I even start?
When you are thinking about food storage or even emergency preparedness it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to make it work for you and your family. Everyone has a different situation, different family size, different budget, and different capabilities.
Let's break it down and make it as simple as possible.
First, where are you going to store everything?
Basements are ideal as they tend to keep food at a pretty even temperature all year long but not everyone has a basement. No worries, this is where you can get creative with the spaces in your home. Here are a few suggestions:
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Under beds
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Underneath or behind couches
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On top of cabinets
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Install shelving above doors
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Free standing shelving or cabinets in different areas of the home
Food should be stored in a cool, dry area that is between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 21°C) to maximize shelf life.
Garages, attics, and outdoor sheds are not good places for storing food as they tend to become very hot during the summer, thus decreasing the shelf life of your food.
Storing metal food cans on concrete floors is also not a good idea as moisture can seep in and rust the cans.
You will also want to watch for rodents and store food in rodent proof containers if necessary.
Shelving -
Shelving does not need to be expensive, there are several options.
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Plastic shelving sold in walmart or home depot that can run anywhere from $20 to $40
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Check KSL classifieds or facebook marketplace for used shelving
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6 tier wire shelves can be purchased at Sam's club or Home depot usually for under $100
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Heavy duty metal shelving usually starts at around $150
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Build your own shelving using purchased or used lumber
These are only a few options, you may discover other means of shelving that work better.
Building your food storage
Second, What do you need to store?
Water storage is a good area to start. It is the one thing you can go the least amount of time without. There are several ways to do this.
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7 gallon Aquatainer water container. These can be found at walmart for around $20 or online for $23
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15 gallon containers can be found at Cal Ranch for $55 or online for around $100
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30 or 55 gallon containers can be found online
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There are many places online that sell 160 gallon plus water tanks. Water Prepared in Brigham City is one
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IBC containers can be found in many places. KSL classifieds and Facebook Marketplace are two
Water should be stored in a cool place with the least amount of light possible even if it means covering the container. Water containers should be changed out every 6 to 12 months unless you are using a water conditioner then you can go longer.
Building your food storage continued
Storing food -
There are several different approaches to this. First, let's break it down a little.
Short term food storage - This is shelf stable food with an expiration date that is approximately 1 to 3 years after it is purchased and put on the shelf. Canned food that is not dehydrated or freeze dried falls into this category.
Because this food is short term, it can be hard to keep up with expiration dates but it doesn't have to be. You can write expiration dates on the sides of cans or packaging, use high visibility labels, keep a food storage inventory database with expiration dates (this is a little more involved and is not for everyone), or simply keep your food storage in an easily accessible location so that you can rotate it often.
What to store - Canned fruits, canned veggies, soups, chili, canned meats, rice, pasta and so much more. Pretty much anything your family already eats.
Long term food storage - This is dehydrated food that will last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or freeze dried food that will last 25 to 30 years. Most of this food will come packaged in number 10 metal cans and some of it will come in mylar.
What to store - The possibilities are endless, fruits, veggies, soups, baking items, meats. Again, store what you know your family will eat. Maybe even let family members pick out what to store.
Bulk food storage - You can buy food in bulk, most often 25 pound bags, and store them in a 5 gallon bucket lined with a mylar bag and a 3000cc oxygen absorber. Make sure to label the buckets with what is inside and the date that the food was put in it.
What to store - Beans, rice (Brown rice does not have a long shelf life), salt, oats, wheat, barley, lentils are a few things.
Canning your own foods - This is one of the more familiar forms of storing food for many. If you are new to canning it might be helpful to watch an online video, take a class, or start with the Ball Blue Book.
What to store - There are so many possibilities: Fruits, Veggies, Meat, dry storage, sauces (spaghetti sauce) and more. The Ball Blue Book has many recipes.
Dehydrate or Freeze dry your own food - This is another option that can be utilized by making an upfront investment yourself or borrowing a dehydrator or freeze dryer that a friend or family has. Once the food is processed, you will need to store it in an oxygen and light free environment to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Mylar with oxygen absorbers works great for this as long as you store the mylar in a hardened container to protect it from rodents.
Non food items -
Some people find it easier to start by storing short term food then working up to long term and bulk storage. There is no one way or hard and fast rule about how to start, do what works for you and your family.
These are some helpful guides to get you started:
These are just a few things to take into consideration when starting to build your own food storage
Third, the technical stuff
Part of the reason storing food can become overwhelming is that there can be research involved after you get all the basics down. How much do I store per person? Can I use canned food past the expiration date? How do I cook using my food storage? The great thing is that we live in a day and age when we have so much information at our fingertips. The important thing is not to get overwhelmed with it, take it in small bites if you need to. Learn one thing and practice it, then learn another and practice that if it works better.
Here are some some resources to help with all the questions and technical stuff:
Fourth, keep going
There may come a time when the initial excitement you had about food storage wears off, or it has become more of a chore to keep up with it all. What do you do when that happens? This was taken from Google, they said it much better than I could have.
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Focus on the benefits: Remind yourself why food storage is important, such as saving money, reducing food waste, and having a sense of security and preparedness.
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Explore different methods: Try various food storage techniques, like canning, dehydrating, fermenting, and freezing, to find what works best for you and keeps you engaged.
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Grow your own food: If possible, grow some of your own fruits and vegetables to appreciate the effort that goes into producing food and to have a sense of accomplishment when storing and preserving it.
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Experiment with recipes: Use your stored food to create new and exciting recipes, which can help keep things fresh and interesting.
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Involve others: Share your food storage knowledge and enthusiasm with family and friends, and learn from their experiences as well.
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Keep it organized: Maintain a clean and organized storage space to make it easier to find and use your stored food, and to reduce stress.
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Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress and accomplishments in food storage, no matter how small they may seem.
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Stay up-to-date: Continuously educate yourself on new food storage techniques, products, and best practices to stay motivated and inspired.
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Make it a hobby: View food storage as a hobby or a passion project, rather than just a chore, to inject excitement and enjoyment into the process.
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Rotate and refresh: Regularly rotate and refresh your stored food to ensure it remains usable and to prevent boredom.