When I first started prepping, I thought it'd be great to have all sorts of stable, long shelf life foods. Things like MREs, 20-year canned goods, etc. used to be my goal. I thought, "If this stuff lasts 20 years, I'll only have to re-stock every 20 years." However, the reality of the expense of purchasing those types of supplies set in, and I kind of gave up on prepping for a while (this was years ago).

Over recent years, I've done a lot more research and reading. The solution to my woes was so simple: Buy regular dry and canned goods that my family always eats, build my stock slowly (so as to minimize impact on my wallet), and rotate the items as I consume. Simple. Most of us practice this method. So for the past several years, this is what I have done, and I get a lot of comfort and satisfaction knowing that I have supplies to last at least a few months.

However, there is one exception to my "normal" food rule: Survival Kits. The problem with most regular dry and canned food is that it is very heavy, and that shelf life diminishes substantially in temperature extremes (particularly heat). So for my BOBs and my vehicle kit, I've decided to use things like emergency water rations, emergency food rations and prepared foods (like MREs). These foods are designed to take temperature extremes much more easily than regular foods. I carry a small backpack in my vehicle with all sorts of survival supplies, and I include water and food emergency rations. Because I'm using emergency food & water rations for these kits, I don't have to worry about my hot vehicle in summer or cold vehicle in winter spoiling the consumables. Sure, when they expire, I'll have to replace them, but because they are small 72-hour kits, the expense is not that high.

Just my $.02.

IMHO the best way to prepare for your long term food needs is to grow it. Yes; beans, rice and other grains have a very long shelf life, and canned goods will remain edible well beyond their "best by" date but unless you have unlimited funds and a safe and secure place to store it, your stores will run out. I know growing most of your own food isn't possible for everyone. Growing food has a serious learning curve and even after 30 years of doing it, I still make mistakes. But with every mistake comes a lesson learned. Better to learn now when your survival doesn't depend on it. Even if you can only grow a few things in containers on the balcony of your apartment and learn how to preserve it, it will give you the basic idea of how to do it on a larger scale should it become necessary.
Do I have commercially produced stores? Absolutely! Things that we eat every day, and they are rotated out to keep them fresh. Do I rely on them exclusively? Not a chance. We grow and preserve a substantial part of our food.
Like I said, not everyone can do it on the scale we do. But start the learning process now. It could keep you from going hungry in the event of a long term disruption of the "just-in-time" food supply system.

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And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

I am interested in growing and preserving my own food. One of my next purchases will be a pressure canner. The difficulty I have with growing right now, is that I live in the heart of the city, and we're surrounded by very large, very old trees. I don't get enough sunshine in any single part of the very small yard (corner lot) we have to grow anything. My wife and I have tried to sell our house twice in the last 3 years with no results. It's currently up for sale now, but with the market the way it is, we probably won't sell this time around either. Our goal is to move outside the city so we can have a few acres to start living sustainably. But I completely agree...the best way to survive is to live a sustainable life, and the best way to do that is to produce your own food.

Along with the pressure canner, pick up a copy of the Ball Blue Book of Canning. It has just about everything you need to know. I only refer to it occasionally now but when I first started canning, the information it contains was priceless.
Hope you have better luck with your house this time.

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And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

Hi UncleJoe

Where can I purchase a copy of the Ball Blue Book of Canning?

Thanks

ikh

ikh, Wal-Mart usually has them in stock at this time of year.
If you can't find it there, go here.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... 1&x=7&y=13

BTW Stop in at the introduction section and say hi to everyone.

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And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

Thanks UncleJoe - most appreciated!