Too often when we think of food storage we think of "survival scenarios". That survivalist mentality really piggy backed onto the food storage scene way back in the 70's with the addition of dehydrated foods in a can sold along with the idea that food should be stockpiled in case of an emergency. Many were duped into buying the less than desirable products and were sold a false sense of security right along with them. They hid the cans under their beds and in their closets and slowly allowed their investment to turn to dust while they waited for an emergency. Not too brilliant. Dehydrated foods have come a long way baby, yet they still should only be used minimally in your storage. Food should not be stockpiled, but rotated regularly thereby always providing your family with the best possible quality. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone asks, "How long will that last?" My answer is always, "The Lord only asks that you keep a years supply on hand, and it will last that long." In other words if you are stockpiling and not using and rotating you are not with the program.

Which scenario sounds better to you?

#1 Stockpile as many #10 cans as possible in every nook and crany of your home, garage, shed, and attic, and shop weekly for "real food" your family will actually eat. Hope that the "food" you have stockpiled really is food and not colored cardboard, hope that it really will reconstitute, hope that it really does taste good, hope that it really does have nutritional value, hope that buying yet another case of food that you will most likely never use does not send your credit card into collections, and hope that you never actually have to use the food you bought in the first place.

#2 Store and use high quality nutritious grains which are ground on a daily basis to nourish your family. Yes-I know that means that you have to actually cook something, but roll with me here! Store and rotate canned and frozen fruits, vegetables and meats. Store and rotate a variety of sugars, fats, spices and other flavorings. Plant a garden, even if it is a small garden. Learn to sprout. Actually eat the food that you have purchased! What!?! Eat my food storage? Yes-I hate to break it to you, but that stuff is to eat. And finally, drum roll please. . . Never waste a penny of your money.

Yes the second scenario requires some thinking and work, but it is clearly the better scenario.