1. You can download the two documents
2. It may be wise to print them off as electricity may not be available in certain emergencies.
3. Keep a printed copy, if you print it off of course, with your 72 hr kit, bug-out-bag, or similar, so it can be found and accessed quickly if needed.
4. Read through these so you have some basic idea of what is in them.
5. Just a reminder, we are seeing signs of food disruption in the world.
Chip shortages are leading to ATV and tractor supply issues for farmers and other farming equipment, which sorts and processes the produce.
This is affecting supply.
Shipping and transportation issues around the world continue to be a problem for many items. This also is affecting food supplies.
China, who has been a net exporter of food, is now an importer of food which may lead to shortages.
Droughts are resulting in fewer crops and a reduction in ranching as hay, alfalfa, and other animal food supplies are running below normal. Meats may begin to get scarce next year after this year's heard reductions.
Flooding in other areas, such as China and Africa, are resulting in production shortages in many areas from what I can ascertain.
Crickets and locust are devastating Africa and causing food shortages. This can affect food supplies.
We could well have supply issues starting next spring. Just like TP, appliances, cars, and other items are in short supply and many people are are waiting lists...the same thing could happen with certain food items.
If you do not have a 1-year food supply, water storage, and other long-term preparation items (as outlined by the church), now would be a good time to rectify that situation.
#10 cans can last over 30 years if packaged correctly. Just like toilet paper a year ago, if you wait until you see a shortage it can be difficult to find the items you need or want.
If you are short on funds then ask for storage items for birthday and Christmas presents from your family and friends.
You can give these items as gifts to others as well and them them get some additional storage.
Items to consider:
Canned goods: Soups, tuna fish, vegetable, fruits, meats, etc. (hand can open will be needed as well) Smiths is having a case lot sale this week.
Pancake Mix & Syrup (has all ingredients mixed in - not just raw flower)
Steal Cut Oats and/or Rolled Oaks
Powdered Milk
Freeze dried foods (butter, veggies, fruits, meat)
Wheat (means you need a hand wheat grinder as well)
Beans
Rice
Boxed cereals
Salt
Spices
Sugar
Powdered Eggs 9 in #10 cans
Powdered shortening in #10 cans
Honey (last indefinitely)
Bottles and lids for canning goods
Baking Soda (can be use for cleaning, cooking, brushing teeth and many other uses) buy in bulk for long-term storage
Yeast in vacuum sealed containers
Note: If you have a deep freeze, this winter would be a good time to at some properly vacuum sealed meets to your storage as ranchers appear to be thinning their herds. This means there may be an abundance this year and a shortage next year (we hope not, but that is how it is looking right now).
Do you have a way to cook food if needed?
Solar Oven
Propane tanks (to go with your stove or BBQ)
Rocket Stove, example here (https://www.minutemanstove.com/products/minuteman-k-rocket-stove?variant=32837906890831)
(get some wood storage or briquettes or fuel for the Rocket Stove if you buy one)
Hand Tools, not electric
Shovels
Wood saw
Hand saws
Gloves
Work boots
Sewing items to mend clothing
Gardening tools
Wood glue
Clamps
String
Wire
Sanitation
5 gal buckets for waste
Heavy duty bags to put in the buckets to remove the waste and bury it
Kitty litter to put in the buckets or bags to control smell and liquids
A "toilet seat" for the bucket as sitting on a thin buck rim my not be that comfortable
A couple boxes of rubber gloves
Baby wipes for many uses
Extra bars of soap, hand sanitizer, dish soap, etc.
Water Storage
Clean 2-liter bottles (cleaned out and filled with clean city water)
3-5 gal water bottles designed for water storage
20-500 gal water barrels with clean water (make sure the place you store these has a drain close by in case you need to empty the water to move, or refill, the container - it is very difficult to empty a 50 gal barrel in a basement bedroom with no drain unless your container has a hose attachment near the bottom and a drain within hose distance)
Money Storage
Silver 1 oz coins (in your home safe)
Cash - $1s, $5s, $10s and $20 in a home, fire resistant safe that is attached to a wall stud (in emergencies you may not be able to use a card, Venmo or other forms of payment)
3-6 months savings total, in at least 2 different banks or credit unions (not in stocks, bitcoin, bonds, or other investments - Yes, I'm talking savings accounts that make no interest)
Start A Garden
It is hard to live off of food storage, nice to have some fresh fruits and veggie.
Used raised beds if possible, 1 foot high is adequate for most produce. (Best place I have found is http://www.ezgatesngardens.com/ out of West Jordan)
Use a mix of 5% vermiculite, 25% peat moss, and 70% fine wood mulch (like the type you get from the Bountiful Land Fill)
This mix requires no fertilizers and less water, you get larger crops, they are easier to work with, and requires no tilling. If you are going to have a garden, have one that requires less work, less money, and less time. The raised gardens are the best option.
Plant fruit trees. Cherries get worms, stick with Apricots, Peaches, Pears, Asian Pears, Nectarines
Plant Nut trees. These can be messy and attract squirrel so do your homework first as they are a bit of a pain.
