Main Page Browse by category Education and Literacy Education How We Learn Importance of Literacy Preparing for College Reading and Literacy Special: BYU Educational Options Teaching Children to Write Teaching Your Children How to Read Emergency Preparedness 72-Hour Kits Canning for Keeps Cooking with Food Storage Cooking with Grains and Legumes Creative Uses of Dried Food Disaster Survival Emergency Preparedness Emergency Skills Food Storage Basics Gardening Using Your 72-Hour Kit Finances and Employment Budgeting Career Development Caring for the Elderly Changes in the Work Place Communicating with Potential Employers Covering the Cost of Healthcare and Disability Credit Reports Death, Estates and Wills Debt Management Employment Family Finances Family Money Matters Financial Fraud Finding the Right Job for You Home Entrepreneurs Identity Theft and Credit Repair Insurance Investing Mortgages Networking Planning for Retirement Resource Management Salary Negotiation Saving Today for Tomorrow Smart Spending Surviving Widowhood Technical and Vocational Education Volunteerism Personal and Family Health Autism Bipolar Disorder Cancer Screening Chronic Illness Communicating with Teenagers Communication in Social and Emotional Relationships Dealing with Abuse Dealing with Depression Dealing with Substance Abuse Developing Healthy Sexuality in Children Diabetes Disease Prevention Eating Disorders Eating For Your Heart Family Fitness Family Health History Grief & Loss Healthy Body Weight Heart Health Nutrition Physical Health Roles of Medication and Therapy Social and Emotional Strength Special: Pornography Addiction Recovery Suicide Prevention Understanding Mental Illness Talk to Us Submit a question Submit a story Submit feedback Extras Purchase DVD Read transcripts Read viewer comments FAQ Meet the production crew

Submit a question Submit a story Submit feedback

There are currently no upcoming rebroadcasts for this show.

Purchase DVD Read transcripts Read viewer comments FAQ Meet the production crew

On this episode of Living Essentials from BYU we talk about basic food storage and answer the important question of where to start. We give examples of what to store and how long it's useful. Our experts show how to formulate a food storage program that your family will actually eat, and discuss creative ways to acquire and store a year's supply.

Featured Guests

Lisa L. Harkness is an author and lecturer on food storage. "We live in uncertain times and there are many situations in which we would find a store or a supply of food very beneficial," Lisa says. "Start with a plan and in 20 minutes you can know right where to spend your money on food storage and you won't waste it." Leslie D. Probert is also an author and lecturer on food storage. "Getting a years supply of food is a big job," Leslie says. "Some people don't know where to start. People are concerned about the cost, and where they'll store all that food. Some people don't know how to cook with it and they're worried that it won't taste good. Good information helps people get around these barriers." For more information contact Leslie at aussiefive@iveracity.com.

President Ezra Taft Benson,
Ensign Magazine May 1977, pg.82

Start with a Plan

Begin by looking for food that is inexpensive and space-efficient to store. The following charts allow you to plan your basic food storage in less than 20 minutes:

Estimated Food Storage Needs For One Year
Basic Food Storage Plan

Food Storage Basics

Leslie and Lisa recommend the following food storage staples:

• Whole-Grains. These are a staple of food storage. There are many options with grains such as wheat, rice, macaroni, barley, pasta, split-peas.
• Legumes. For legumes, beans are a great option as well as store canned meats such as roast beef, ham, turkey or chicken. Remember to switch the meats out pound for pound with your dried legumes.
• Powdered Milk. It is possible to store as little as 16 pounds of powdered milk if you increase the grains to 400 pounds per person. Currently there is ongoing research about whether this option provides enough calcium in the diet. Most brands will recommend storing for 3-5 years but some will last for 10 or more years.
• Oil. Of all the different types of food-storage things, oil has the tightest shelf-life. It stores for 1-2 years if in a cool, dark place. Crisco brand, however, actually says that their shortening, if stored properly, will last indefinitely. Mayonnaise, peanut butter, and salad dressings--all would count for oils as well.
• Salt. Salt is important in the diet.
• Water. Water storage should be 14 gallons per person. Now this is different from and in addition to a 72 hour supply which is 3 gallons per person.
• Canned Goods. Canned goods that you will actually eat add variety to a food storage diet. Canned foods should be used within 2 to 2 1/2 years but store indefinitely if unopened and undamaged.

Storage

Although a cool, dark basement room is the ideal place to store your food, you may need to find creative ways to keep your cans and boxes. Shelves in the front hall closet or in other locations in your house or apartment can provide plenty of storage space. Packaging of your food can greatly affect its shelf-life. Moisture, light, and air all adversely affect food. Airtight and opaque packaging enables your food to last for longer periods. Use this handy chart to determine shelf life: Shelf Life of Food Storage Items

Further Reading

Emergency Food Storage in a Nutshell
by Leslie Probert and Lisa Harkness

Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis
by Peggy Layton

Food Storage for the Clueless
by Clark L. Kidd

Eating Off the Grid: Storing and Cooking Foods Without Electricity
by Denise Hansen

15 Minute Storage Meals: Quick, Healthful Recipes & Food Storage Handbook
by Jayne Benkendorf

Web Resources