I got to thinking that I'd like to have some emergency rations, and wondered what I'd put in it.
Here's what I'm thinking:
Each "unit" would be a 5gallon home depot bucket with a lid. Contents vacuum packed in individual bags. Shelf life of 2 years. Stored indoors in a controlled climate. No ammo, medications, currency, just food.
Here's what I'm thinking...
5lbs beans
5 lbs rice
3 lbs pasta
1lb Cajun seasoning
1/2 lb salt
1/4 lb pepper
2lb sugar (can you vac-pack sugar?)
2lb flour
2lb dried potatoes
10 packages yeast (can you vac-pack yeast?)
1lb dehydrated milk
pint of honey
wish I knew where to get dehydrated foods in bulk, such as spaghetti sauce, chili sauce, mac and cheese powder, etc.
What else?
Hoo boy. Jackpot.
http://www.internet-grocer.net/dehydrtd.htm
probably need some bouillon, and some of these neat dried veggies / fruits / instant juice too.
Matches, a can of sterno, coffee if you drink it, water purifier, $50.00 cash, knife, dried fruit and Pepto Bismol (You never know).
The LDS Church will sell dried foods in various forms to anybody at their cost - for 30 year storage most of the food is in #10 cans. We combine our order with Whitlock's wife, Flutterby and reorder every 2 months. It takes a few weeks for them to get the orders ready.
Their suggestions
http://www.providentliving.org/channel/0,11677,1706-1,00.html
http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8133-1-4352-1,00.html
PDF form and pricing direct link - pricing may vary a bit per market fluctuations. We have so far only found minimal variation up or down. All products we have tried have been top quality.
http://www.providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/120132_HSOrderForm_US_JAN_09_pdf.pdf
The lady there told me they would rather sell to anybody that wants to take care of themselves and plan ahead in advance than to worry about it when it is too late. There has never been any pressure on me to join their church. Just nice people with an eye on the future and who genuinely care about helping others in my opinion.
We probably have close to 1000 lbs of various foods and grains so far and building - most for 30 years storage. They have bulk also. First vertical row on form is #10 cans . middle pouch- Last bulk. Pouches and bulk are shorter periods I believe.
I found info on the pouches but not storage time. Just longer term.
http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/92987_FoilPouchStorageInstructionsv3_pdf.pdf
Quote from: glenn kangiser on February 13, 2009, 11:50:58 AM
The LDS Church will sell dried foods in various forms to anybody at their cost - for 30 year storage most of the food is in #10 cans. We combine our order with Whitlock's wife, Flutterby and reorder every 2 months. It takes a few weeks for them to get the orders ready.
Good data Glenn, I just called a local LDS distribution center, and they confirmed that they will sell to the general public. I was told that I needed to contact the "Bishop's Storehouse". I called them, and it sounds as though they are only open a few hours a week. I am going to drop by and check them out this weekend.
-f-
peanut butter
That's great, Frank. The one here opens 2 days a week. The stuff comes in nice labled cases with instructions on the boxes. The refried beans are the same as Taco Bell - the potato pearls are perfect mashed potatoes in about 3 minutes with just hot water but shorter term storage - potato flakes for long term.
(https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/glennkangiser/storage.jpg)
you might want to look at some nutrition and health sites to get an idea what your body needs on a daily basis and try to work around that while focusing on things you already use (so you know how to cook & season it), and things you like (because food fatigue is very real).
I dont see any oils in your list, which is necessary part of a diet. peanut butter is good for this too.
Also, you might want to consider a few bottles of vitamin C, or multivitamin.
Since your skipping fresh vegetables, a way to get lycopene, antioxidents, (tea perhaps?). again read up on nutrition.
If you need emergency food, odds are great you also need your body strong and healthy.
-- yes, you can vac-u-pac sugar and yeast.
-- instead of flour, perhaps raw wheat and a mill. it will store far longer and you get more usable nutrients from it. winter red wheat will hold up a long long time.
--
the home depot buckets are ok, but you might be better off getting one with a good seal.
If you fill up a bucket just put the top on very loose, dont press down. plunk a chunk of dry ice in the bucket - this releases carbon dioxide which is heavier than oxygen. This forces the oxygen out of the bucket and replaces it. (Like a tub filling with water and overflowing). Once it has finished offgassing place the lid down firmly and seal it. You'll have removed the oxygen which removes the possibility of oxidation. This greatly enhances shelf life because the microorganisms that drive decomposing and degrading require oxygen to live.
BK mentioned Gamma seal to turn Homer's buckets air tight - SG has them. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=266012
Okay... small jar of p-nut butter (hopefully the salmonella free kind), and some olive oil too. Vitamins for sure then. Definitely M&Ms.
I'm looking for a basic 60 day supply for emergencies.
Seems like tobacco might be a good thing to have to trade. Can you vacuum pack that, or does it make it useless?
(I know... I'm starting to sound more and more like Glenn)
I was wondering how long it would take... [waiting]
add some assortment of spices to break up the flavor boredom...
dried oniond or onion powder
ditto garlic
curry, etc.
Canned barley malt and freeze dried brewers yeast and hops. I will of course entertain trade offers for lesser goods.
How many 5 gallon buckets are you looking for for 60 days supply?
It depends on what you think the emergency is. I would have a natural disaster bucket good for a few days first. The logic being that in a natural disaster you have a few days or a week or two of getting to a new location. Most people are more likely to face a natural disaster (happens all over the country a few times a year) than the complete collapse of society where we have switched to barter. (Has never happened in the history of the U.S.)
In that I would pack high calorie no cook foods. Crackers, PB, Nutrition bars, granola, Instant oatmeal, canned meat, candy bars. Things that can be eaten on the move with little or no heat or electricity.
In my area the usual natural disasters are floods and blizzards, it is usually never dry enough for wildfires and there aren't any earthquakes or tornadoes.
Quote from: Squirl on February 13, 2009, 01:29:23 PM
It depends on what you think the emergency is. I would have a natural disaster bucket
That's what my previously mentioned collection has been aimed at. More or less ready to eat, economical foods. Includes a bunch of granola type power bars.
If it were just me I had to worry about...
As many cans of baked beans as possible [hungry], a big wooden spoon, and some matches. That will keep me as long as anyone elses bucket. From then out I'll trust in my rifle for food(nothings better than fresh venison, beef, human).
interesting topic, being a lifelong resident of hurricane country, i was raised to be prepared
the first 5 years i lived on my own, my mother came over every june 1st with a box of suppleis
one thing was always in that box, chewable kids vitamins
she's a nurse, and she always said that if something were to happen, you'd want
to stay as healthy as possible, so she'd get me vitamins
to this day, every june, when i check my hurricane box, i buy fresh vitamins
i know its expensive, but that dehydrated stuff they sell to backpackers is great too!
i had some on hand during ike, and it wasn't too bad!
also, i do, every year, pack something sweet and yummy, the kids were thrilled during ike,
when i opened up a box of recees peanut butter cups! they thought they were in heaven
just a little something thats fun, and good
i also buy cans of fruit, i had about 6 cans of dole tropical fruit that i put in the cooler, it was
sweet, delicious, and nourishing, plus very juicy, and broke up the dullness of drinking water for
5 days
the kids and the grown ups liked that, as we fed 5 neighbors during ike
neighbors, who, i might add, didn't prepare, who thought they'd go to the store the next
day, and generally blew off any thoughts of having supplies to hand, well, except for the 5
cases of beer, yup, 5 cases of beer and three gallons of water for a family of 5, the next day
they spent two hours drivin' around lookin' for ice, cause their beer was gettin' hot
fools
i bet come next hurricane season, they have a different idea about being prepared
we do alot of camping, and i've always been a fan of real power bars, not the ones that are more
sugar than nourishment, but i buy cliff bars, and such, ones with real value, read the labels, and
find ones with good amounts of protein
tesa
Frank sounds like a buisness oppurtunity to me. Develope a couple mixes and market your product.
Shelf Reliance President's Day Sale-15% off case lots and free shipping on $199
http://www.shelfreliance.com/
might help fill up a bucket. ;)
I agree tesa
if money is not a problem go for the freeze dried meals
the shelf life is over 10 years they tell me
my wife is a big fan of cliff bars too
spot on with the vitamins (spend a little more and get good ones from a health food store probably in the $60 a bottle range)
MRE's are ok too (well they probably won't kill you anyway, at least not right away, well they are cheap and could keep you alive maybe)
A variety of items here including those spin on lids -- which are really nice btw
http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1234612984
If you are going to store food in plastic buckets get food grade so it will taste OK and won't risk being poisoned with toxins from cheap plastic -- buy new (2 or 3 bucks ) or make friends with a restaurant owner and get their cast offs
http://www.freezedryguy.com/index.html
I think it depends on what and where you are storing for
If you think you will have to bug out due to a hurricane for example -- definitely go for light and easy to fiix --- hard to beat freeze dried there (you absolutely must have a good water filter too -- they make back packer versions that can filter water from virtually any fresh water source with safety)
If you think there is going to be a shortage of food this year (yes I think it is quite likely)
and you want to just hunker down at home -- go for rice and beans supplimented with good canned food (home canned is great -we put up 60 quarts of tomatoes and 30 quarts of beans last summer)
peanut butter is about the most concentrated source of calories there is ....
For home water I can highly recomend the Doulton water filters ( I can hear mine dripping in the kitchen as I type) Available here
http://www.jmccanneyscience.com/DoultonWaterFilterInformationSub-Page.HTM
I used to recomend the "black Berkey" that is widely available but unfortunately the quality is pretty bad lately, and they are not cheap -- cannot recomend them anymore
The Doulton filters better and doesn't plug easily -- top notch
Sardines!!! I forgot about the cans of sardines I have stocked. Great source of protein, plus oils, not heavy on the sodium, and they keep forever. Best before dates are usually 3 years or so off in the future. You can even get them canned with green chile's :D and Louisiana hot sauce or tomato sauce.
2lb sugar (can you vac-pack sugar?) yes, but mostly it just needs to stay dry.
yeast is best preserved by freezing.
Here is where I've found the best prices so far.
http://www.internet-grocer.net/index.htm
internet grocer added to favorites
thanks
Just found this site for emergency food.
http://www.efoodsdirect.com
I second what Don said about sardines, except that I would go with dried anchovies. These are readily available at Japanese/Korean markets, they last forever, and they are highly nutritious and flavorful. You can make a good-tasting soup base with them as well as eating them straight or frying them with a little soy sauce and a pinch of sugar and sesame. I prefer the smaller ones (around one inch long) because I don't feel like they're staring me down when I'm eating them, but the larger ones taste good too. A lot of Asian markets also sell things like dried fish, root veggies, etc., that are really good for storage. We always keep some dried squash and fish on hand, and with a little onion and potato, you have a fairly tasty and nourishing soup. Seaweed is another good one. Dried seaweed lasts forever, and cook it in soup and you've got an anti-coagulant soup that tastes great (good news for those on blood thinners if they run out of meds when everything goes nuts. ;D) Another thing, get to know what wild plants are edible in your area and when they are available. Make a habit of harvesting some every year so that you know where to find them and how to prep them... then when all heck breaks loose you could be eating delicacies like morel mushrooms, wild berries and nuts, or if worse comes to worse, poke salad. :P
A deck of cards wouldn't hurt or take up a lot of space.
I agree that anchovies are flavorful, however my primary reason for picking sardines is their protein content. The ones I buy, Crown Prince have 24 to 26 gr of protein per 3.75 ounce can. (varies by the catch) It's hard to find anything else with such a high protein content that will keep forever.
Quote from: StinkerBell on March 27, 2009, 10:55:50 AM
A deck of cards wouldn't hurt or take up a lot of space.
I suppose I could eat them if I had enough catchup. [waiting]
Yes Yes, the cards are not food. If one is in a flood, for instnace (I assume that a sealed bucket would be impervious to water) and they have their bucket, they also have something to do to keep them busy so they do not eat their food out of boredom.
d* Why didn't I think of that. hmm
I guess that's why you get the big bucks, eh? :)
I cheated today and bought 2 cases of MRE's. :P
My bucket will have coffee, chocolate chips, cheeze it crackers and shelled walnuts. A water filter and lots of seeds for sprouting or toasting. Powdered eggs, and milk and cocoa powder. Tea candles and matches and a lighter too. A blank notebook and pencil, and a small plastic tarp and a knife and toilet paper.
How about seeds for a garden? 2 lbs of flour? Don't know about you, but that would last my family about 1/2 week! For us, are most important things would be grains, beans, lentils, seeds, pack of lighters, flint (for when the lighters finally run out). I'd forget about the yeast, as you can leaven your own bread without it, use the space for flour instead. Spices, sugar (although neither are necessities), and that is about it for living as long as possible.
The most important thing to me would be a decent stock of tools. Both for building/repairing dwellings, and making tools. A treadle powered sewing machine would be handy too. I have a bit too much total apocalyptic thought when it comes to this too though :)
Quote from: peternap on March 28, 2009, 05:25:22 PM
I cheated today and bought 2 cases of MRE's. :P
Good thing about MRE' is you really do not needs as much TP! heh
I started talking to my wife about this thread, and a funny thing happened. The subject turned to the question, "what if we woke up tomorrow, and were the only humans left?" It was then expanded with different scenarios such as, what if global pop was down to 10% of current, etc, etc...all kinds of logistical problems arise! From the simple, how do you get rid of all the perishable food in houses so that you don't end up with vermin problems; and, what about all the crazy dogs in the neighborhood; to, what about nuclear reactor melt downs; and, how does one family repopulate the earth? With just my wife and me in the conversation, it lasted for over an hour.
Just thought you'd like to know the things a topic like this brings up!
The dogs could be food if you invest in 22 shells.
Not that you could fit any significant amount in a 5 gallon pail along with other stuff, something to consider as a part of your emergency gear would be aseptic packaged milk. You can buy it in 8 ounce and 1 liter containers. No refrigeration needed. The best before date is usually only a year or so out, but you can cycle it's use into camping trips and such that can help you with the rotation. It is not cheap compared to regular milk, but it is good tasting and available in whole and 1% plus chocolate and strawberry flavors. Amazon.com grocery sells Horizon and Organic Valley brands by the case. It's a good deal if you avail yourself of the Prime member plan.
I've been playing with some of the ideas I saw here. I tried Sardines in oil for breakfast this morning. Blood is 89 ;)
I did buy some dried Anchovies at the Chinese market yesterday. Haven't tried them yet. For Dinner last night, I had scrambled eggs and anchovies (My wife wouldn't cook them) I love anchovies. It was not only good, 2 hours later....blood was 91.
Jens,
Seeds, yup, I honestly never would have thought of that, but you're right on target for planning on long term survival with seeds.
Regarding your conversation with your wife, I've been trying to get my wife to look at some possibilities with a rapid and drastic population reduction. Specifically, what would that mean to all that we need to live. She's not where I am, but she's starting to come around, and let's face it, preparing really isn't all that expensive.
I was somehow under the impression that this was a "Bug Out Bucket", ??? supplies for a short period of time. In that case ready to use things like pasta, rice, sardines, dried potatoes are better candidates than goats and bees.
Long term could make better use of wheat berries, etc.
If this is "Bug Out" stuff than I'd be going MREs all the way. Light, compact, high calorie count, and specifically designed for mobility. Think of what's easiet to carry and prepare.
My interpretation could be wrong, but when I saw "5 gallon bucket", I equated that to my Rubbermaid storage boxes. One has a variety of foods. One has a one burner stove, fuel, basic lightweight campware, matches, etc. Another has clothing plus there are ready to go jugs of water. This is my "how can I be assured of something to eat" if I had to evacuate my home because of something like the current flood situation in Fargo, ND, the hurricanes of Katrina and Ike, the wildfires of California, and so on, without having to reply on restaurants or FEMA.
Long term food for survival seems to me to be beyond the needs that one can pack in a 5 gallon bucket or two. As for myself, I don't like MRE's. I like the convenience part, but I don't like the food and the expense. I would rather eat canned sardines and baked beans, dried potatoes (try them, they are quite good), peanut butter, rice, pasta and so on. And call me crazy, I even have a couple cans of Dinty Moore beef stew and a block of Velveeta in that kit. As I said someplace before once a year I replenish the goods with newly purchased and give the "old" to the local charity food storehouse.
I think a major consideration of any "Bug Out" stuff would be transportation. If you know you'll have an open road to evacuate on, or as I'm sure Don will be, a few days ahead of the ball dropping, then you can certainly pack heavier items. If, on the other hand, you anticipate having to move on foot then careful consideration should be given to the camping products. Some of the freeze dried food tastes really good, not to mention it's light, easily packed and prepared, and will keep you alive.
If I had to move on foot I'd be concentrating on carrying water (high mesa desert country where we call home), high energy food (like my peanut and almond butters), weather appropriate clothing and my lightweight 45. I hope I never have to do that.
Just put as many cans of Guinness as you can fit, then fill in the empty spaces with Bushmills...don't forget a glass for the Guinness. One pint = one meal + enjoyment until the cavalry gets there.
Jens,
I like a nice pint... :)
I'm with you Jens. Once I switched to stout, I have a hard time drinking beer.
Bruce
Great thread. The five-gallon bucket is the cornerstone of alot of our storage and other use around here.
Depending on what your goals for this are, you probably want to have a mix of canned stuff (heat/cooking optional) and dried stuff.
My wife and I used Gamma Lids on five-gallon food buckets when we paddled the Mississippi River. They were opened multiple times a day, and exposed to freezing temps, heat, rain, thunderstorms, and constant UV for 73 days and never leaked a drop. I can't say enough good things about them, and their only around $6 each if you shop around. Great product.
http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D98DCLJG0&show_article=1
Others see a problem
Quote from: glenn kangiser on May 27, 2009, 08:17:59 AM
http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D98DCLJG0&show_article=1
Others see a problem
Good article Glenn!
Speaking of food and other stuff, I sealed several thousand rounds of ammunition (for guns that I don't have...I just want to keep the ammo out of the hands of criminals and donate it to the police if they need it ::))...a couple of weeks ago. About half the bags lost their vacuum.
I called Food Saver this morning. Nice people. They checked all the usual's and then told me it was probably a bad roll...and sent out a new one. Good customer service.
You know, I thought (hoped) I was the only one preparing. I know many (see this thread) are already prepared. I was a hold out until I was sure it would be a wise thing to do. I ordered my mylar bags and oxygen obsorbing pads today. I have a friend holding 3 and 5 gallon buckets from their bakery for me. I have already investigated the LDS cannery and it is a great value. Trying to schedule time to go. I have a reasonable (not great) supply of ammo. I have a hole in the ground soon to be a shelter..
What took me so long?
Brainwashing, Phalynx... government schools... chemtrails....high school and sports mascots ... bells and whistles... salivating like Pavlov's dog...TV commercials ... many years of unknowing participation in the dumbing down of America project... the TV show, "Friends"..... :)
They had you, and you are just beginning to come out of your dazed state of mind.
Watch that they don't sneak up behind you and try to shove your head back in the sand... :) You have a lot of it.. rofl
I'm proud of you --- you are beginning to see. :)
gov't schools.... hummm, not my kids.. home school. Chemtrails....in the sky I see stars and stripes! high school mascots? ok what the heck? Are you saying my tiger was an undercover gov't operative watching my every move while he cheered our winning team? tv commercials....... Ooooh, I get it. "HI BILLY MAYS HERE!"..... Friends? come on, that was just a tv show. You actually believe that the hottest girl in school, the fatest, the dumbest, the brainiac boy, the jock, and the twitch all wouldn't get along after school????? Come on Glenn.... Get serious. Next you are going to tell me that Wrestling isn't real...
Jesse Ventura was actually a politician - and a pretty good one at that.... :)
Sort of dug out an old tread because I think this may be of value. The below mentioned site list the expiration of various foods whether they be open or unopened. So some of the items you put into survival storage might not taste the same if it is older than recommended.
http://www.stilltasty.com/
Good link. :D
And what to do with the food if you don't east them yourself? Give them to your local food pantry.
Thanks for posting!