What Should I Store and How Much?

THREE MONTHS SUPPLY

Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. Those items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.

LONG TERM SUPPLY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

The following suggested amounts are for an adult for one month.

25 pounds of: wheat, white rice, corn and other grains. (storage life-30 plus years)
5 pounds of : dry beans (storage life-30 plus years)

You may also want to add other items to your longer-term storage such as sugar, nonfat dry milk, salt, baking soda and cooking oil. To meet nutritional needs, also store foods containing Vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Dry products intended for longer-term storage should be low in moisture (about 10 % or less) and free from insects.

DRINKING WATER

Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted.
If water comes directly from a good source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, break-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soft drinks.

Keep water containers away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not store directly on cement. Place cardboard, etc. under container.

FINANCIAL RESERVE

Establish a finanacial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing if to a reasonable amount. Small bills($1, and $5) and coins are best for 72 hour kits.

For more information see: providentliving.org and other comunity sites.

Muddy Buddies

9 cups chex cereal (corn, wheat or rice)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put cereal in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine chips, peanut butter and margarine. Heat until chips are melted; stir frequently. Add vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal; stir until well coated. Pour cereal mixture into a large plastic bag with pwdered sugar; seal securely. Shake until all pieces are well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Yield: 9 cups.
Variaion: To make Hen Scratch use 1 cup butterscotch chips instead of chocolate chips.

Cheerio Nuggets

6 cups Cheerios cereal
1 cup peanuts
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Put cereal and peanuts in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine brown sugar, margarine and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes; stir constantly. Remove from heat and add salt and baking soda; mix well. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until well coated. spread evenly on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 250*F. for 15 minutes, stirring twice. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Yield 10 cups

Sugar and Spice Mix

3 cups Golden Grahams cereal
4 cups Life cereal
1 cup peanuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup margarine\1/4 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmag
1 tsp orange peel, grated

Put cereals, peanuts, raisins and marshmallows in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine margarine, honey, spices and orange peel. Heat until warm. Pour seasoned margarine over cereal mixture; stir until well coated. Spread evenly on a cookie sheet. Bake at 300*F. for 15 minutes; stirring twice. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Yield 14 cups
EFNEP

Ranch Rubble Mix

9 cups Chex cereal (any one or combination)
1 cup pretzels
1 cup peanuts
1/2 cup oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp lemon pepper (optional)
1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix

Put cereal, pretzels and peanuts in a large bowl. In a small saucepan combine oil, garlic powder, dill weed, lemon pepper and dressing mix. Heat until warm. Pour seasoned oil over cereal mixture, stir until well coated. Yield 11 cups
EFNEP

Skillet balls

1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups Rice Krispies (or 4 cups Chex)

In a saucepan combine corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil; stir constantly. Immediately remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla, mix well. Stir in cereal. Form into 1-inch balls and place on waxed paper to cool. Yield 4 dozen.
EFNEP

Golden Medley

6 cups Golden Grahams cereal
7 cups Life cereal
1 cup peanuts
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup margarine
1/8 tsp baking soda


Put cereals and peanuts in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup and margarine. Bring to boil and cook 1 minute; stir constantly. Remove from heat and add baking soda, mix well. Pour over cereal mmixture, stir until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Yield 14 cups
EFNEP