My new years resolution this year was to collect a year supply. After years of gentle prodding by the Prophet and our other leaders I finally decided I needed to obey (or else)! Since our last Stake Conference, which was excellent and focused almost entirely on food storage and personal preparedness, I have been very anxious about getting it all taken care of.
We had nothing other than our camping gear to start. But now we are the proud and prepared owners of 72 hour kits! That is a good start right. Well after even more urgent discussion about it from our Church leaders and the thought of my kids suffering from my procrastination and the good examples of friends I have begun the "harvesting" of a year supply.
Since most of the food I get from the cannery last for almost 30 years and I won't have to rotate it I feel much better about it. (who wants to rotate powdered milk?) We planned for 6 adults since after a child turns 12 he/she eats an adults helping. And who knows how old our children will be when we use it. Plus having extra to share with friends and neighbors can't be a bad thing right? So here is what the Provident Living food storage calculator says we need:
Grains: 2400 lbs
We had nothing other than our camping gear to start. But now we are the proud and prepared owners of 72 hour kits! That is a good start right. Well after even more urgent discussion about it from our Church leaders and the thought of my kids suffering from my procrastination and the good examples of friends I have begun the "harvesting" of a year supply.
Since most of the food I get from the cannery last for almost 30 years and I won't have to rotate it I feel much better about it. (who wants to rotate powdered milk?) We planned for 6 adults since after a child turns 12 he/she eats an adults helping. And who knows how old our children will be when we use it. Plus having extra to share with friends and neighbors can't be a bad thing right? So here is what the Provident Living food storage calculator says we need:
Grains: 2400 lbs
Beans: 360 lbs
Dairy: 180 lbs
Sugars: 360 lbs
Leavening Agents: 36 lbs
Salt: 36 lbs
Fats: 180 lbs
Water: 168 gallons
We are well on our way after taking home the family caner for a few days and canning almost 40 boxes worth of food. But we have so far to go still especially in the overwhelming amount of grains we are supposed to store.
The kids had a ton of fun helping. I haven't ever seen them so eager to help. Each child had their own job. Putting on labels, putting in the oxygen absorbers, bringing and putting away boxes, helping me press the button on the caner and eating all the extra apple slices. Our garage has been transformed into a food factory.
So now we enjoy a little break and pray that white wheat becomes available until July 16th when we get the caner again!
P.S. I REALLY LOVE MY MINI VAN!
7 comments:
I am sooooooooo proud of you! You got me to do it- and that's CRAZY since I'm the ward canning specialist! Way to go, Jenny!
What are you feeding a whole farm of animals?
Awesome, Jen. It is on my mind constantly too. One day out of the blue Aubrey asked me, "Mom, what are going to do when there is no more food?" GULP. It's one thing for me to be hungry, and quite another when it affects my kids. I keep thinking I need to clean out my garage first to make room . . . yikes.
How could I pass up commenting on this one. I laughed out loud when I saw the picture of your van. I know what that feels like...loading and unloading EVERY single 25 lb. bag. And then doing it 5 or 6 times. Congrats on getting prepared. It makes me smile. And I'm sure it makes you feel great!
What a great feeling! I plan on buying some of their already-canned bulk items before I move. It's a start, right?
Poor car.
Tucson Grandpa
Hey, what are you using for fat? Oil doesn't last too long. Or is that one that you do have to rotate? Good job on a good start!! I went to the cannery the other night with the stake but still have lots to do!
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