Food storage has become so overcomplicated that unless you are an expert in sorting fact from fiction the whole concept has become paralytic. Over the last 40 years we have intermingled fallacies and folklore with divine principles. Funny, we just can not figure out why it doesn't all hum like a finely tuned machine. Many have gotten rich off of selling their ideas and wisdom to the masses even when it is contrary to God's plan. As each new idea is marketed and each new fad is introduced the masses become more and more confused. If in life's journey there were a dozen different well spoken "experts" screaming and pointing in different directions offering me safe passage for a toll I would be confused too.

Allow me to simplify the process of creating an in home food supply and nutritional security for your family that does not come from the peddler on the street corner. A divine plan will be peaceful, clear, and precise.

#1. Set aside distractions. We are surrounded by them; they come in all forms. You are going to need to dedicate your time, energy, and money to this new more worthy project.

#2. Be aware of the basic foundational needs of your family. By that I mean how much of the basics do you need to keep your family alive. You can do that by visiting the Provident Living Food Storage Calculator found on the Food Storage Inventory page. If the thought overwhelms you call me, I will be happy to walk you through it, 281-356-3156. These basics will be the staples of your three month supply and beyond.

#3. Create a one week menu. Think about family favorites, include desserts and snack time. Make a list of ingredients that you will need to make those meals, include spices, extracts, leavening agents . . . everything. Determine how much of each ingredient you need for each meal. Now that you have your list, multiply the list by twelve. You have just created your outline for a three month supply of food your family will enjoy. Remember that you will be able to use freshly ground wheat flour, rice, beans, sugars, oils, milk and fats from your foundational supply list.

#4. Make the necessary sacrifices to acquire the supplies you have listed. This will be hard, but if you are dedicated you will be amazed and grateful at what you will accomplish. You may need to sell some of your toys or take on a part time job in order to do this. You may need to enlist the help of your children. Offer a neighborhood lawn service, weed pulling, car washing, or child care service. It is good to allow the kids to share in the responsibilitiy. Consider what you are teaching your children by doing so. You instill in them that families are a team, that setting and working towards a goal is important, and that food storage is important. When the goal is reached the whole family appreciates the accomplishment. When the time comes that you have to depend on your storage, and the time is coming, the children will thank you.

#5. Create room for you growing supply. Unless you live in a four foot by four foot cottage on wheels there is no reason to hide food under your bed. It is too easily forgotten and left to deteriorate. I have been in too many homes, even tiny homes, with multiple rooms dedicated to games, hobbies, once a year guests etc. those can easily be turned into a store room. When food storage really becomes a priority you will be surprised where you are willing to keep it. If you really want to get the kids on board ask them to help design the layout of the room. As the room fills with food stock the whole family will be excited.

#6. As you use your supplies replenish them. I keep a shopping list in my family store room and record everything that is taken from the room. If you use one of an item replace it with two if money will allow. Always continue to build.

#7. Once you have acquired the basics and a three month supply it is time to strengthen the foundation of your supply. Bulk up your grains, legumes, sugars, fats, milks, and cooking essentials. Create another weekly menu. Follow the same process to acquire the food and rotate the food into your supply. Once this is accomplished you will have a hearty rotating six month supply! Now that is an accomplishment to get excited about! You can easily continue this process until you have a year supply of everything you could possibly need.

KeyPoints:

Remember to use the items that have been traditionally labeled long term storage items. Just because wheat lasts a long time does not mean we should buy it and forget about it. That is not the Lord's plan! There is no reason to purchase wheat, hide it, and then go to the store to buy flour. If you are going to do that just walk over to the wall and bang your head on it.

Food storage does not mean storing food  indefinitely. The term food storage implies that food purchased should be hidden away and touched only occasionally like Christmas ornaments, or a spare tire.

NO! Your food supply is meant to be used and replaced on a regular basis. Regular basis does not mean when you move and give away or throw away your investment that you squandered therefore it needs to be replaced. It does not mean that you look under your bed once a year to see what is about to expire and quick use it up! It means that you have a phenomenally stocked pantry that is in constant rotation. It means that you actually use your food supply. It means that within the walls of your home you have your own store to pull from.

By following this process you are always eating from your food supply. You are not struggling to stock two pantries, one that you eat from and one that just sits there doing nothing!