10 Tips for Food Storage

1. Store what you eat. If you are allergic to wheat, then it's not the grain for you to store. Or if you just plain don't like say, split peas then don't store them.
2. Keep track of what staples your family uses on a weekly/monthly basis. How long does a jar of peanut butter last at your house? Are you big milk drinkers? How long does a roll of toilet paper last on average? Calculate from these figures what your family needs for a year.
3. Make a plan for what and how much extra you will buy each pay period. See Food Storage on $5.00 a week for examples (see side bar for current week).
4. Eat what you store. Learn to use your food storage in every day cooking. Don't NOT store something because you don't know how to use it. Make it a goal to try something new once a week. When you've mastered new skills you'll be more likely to want to use them on a regular basis! Making menus also helps with this. It's easier to include storage items when you plan for them. By rotating in this way there is less likely to be waste.
5. Bake bread - this alone will help you to rotate your wheat storage. It's also delicious, money saving and helps build your "digestive tolerance" for wheat.
6. Take advantage of the cannery. The price and convenience can't be beat. When you order buy in multiples of 6 cans if you can. That way you get a box, making it easier to store!
7. Seek out good information. Read it, study it, then use it! Check out the LDS bookstore, the Internet & the yellow pages.
8. Buy the best equipment you can afford. It will make using your storage less discouraging, faster and a whole lot more fun. Though a hand grinder is better than no grinder!
9. Take up camping. Not only is this a great excuse for getting preparedness equipment, you'll also have learned how to use it. And it makes for a cheap weekend get away.
10. Just start somewhere. Maybe when your kids need new backpacks you'll snag the old ones for your 72 hour kits. Or start by planning what you need for a year. Or start by focusing on one of the basics and learn better how to use it. Maybe you'll even plant a garden...

JUST START

Where preparations are being made you will be blessed.