Buying Foods in Bulk: Good Sense or Knee-Jerk Reaction?

I woke up this morning to yet another article on "stockpiling" food. In spite of the news of global shortages (real or imagined), having a year's supply of food and water on hand for each member of the household has always been a good idea.

Preparedness hasn't been second-nature to us for generations. American society has been a society of plenty for quite sometime and I think we've become more than a little complacent. However, the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters in recent years should have shown us that preparedness is key.

Food prices have been rising at quite a "clip" for quite sometime, accelerating (actually) in the last decade. This acceleration will continue, especially now with the headlines and tips abounding for storing in bulk. But, is rushing to the supermarket or wholesale club and cleaning out the shelves really the answer? That would, of course, drive prices even higher. Cause and effect, dontcha know. And, it isn't wise to buy more than you can store and use in a reasonable length of time, anyway. Waste and spoilage ony defeat your purpose.

A few common sense tips can be applied without breaking the bank:

1. Each buying trip buy a little extra of foods that store well such as dried beans, rice, pasta, dried fruits and canned goods. An extra bag (or can) or two here and there really adds up.

2. Repackage them in easy "grab and go" sizes and groupings; example: packages that contain a packet each of beans, rice, salt, pepper and dried onions that will feed your family for one meal.

3. Keep a good watch on those foods you are buying in bulk or buying ahead. Use the older purchases first and continue to replace them always assuring that you have the freshest on hand.

4. If you grow your own fruits or vegetables, make a one-time investment in a good quality food dehydrator. I have an American Harvester and I love it. It will be getting even more use as my fruits and veggies ripen over the next few months.

5. Don't forget the condiments - salt, pepper, dried onions (both white and green).

6. Above all, don't forget water. Potable water may be in short supply if you have to relocate for any length of time. In general, store at least one gallon of water per person per day of expected need. If you have pets, allow 1 quart per day for each dog or cat. Just make sure that you use it and replace with fresh water each time.

You can store water in food grade plastic or glass containers with tight fitting screw-on caps. Food-grade containers include those that previously held beverages, such as 2-liter soda bottles and other water, juice, or punch containers. Plastic milk bottles should be avoided, because it is difficult to remove protein and fat residues, which may allow bacteria to grow during storage.

If I left anything out please do let me know.

Until later ~ Ari
http://www.arishomespa.com/