People who are interested in taking this step, because they live in areas where they can readily get cut off from food supplies, or for people who want to be prepared for large-scale problems or disasters, want to learn as much as they can about what and how much to stockpile. Planning, as in most projects, is the biggest time commitment. You'll need to plan the foods to store, the storage location and then start the shopping and storing process, complete with a rotation plan.

I've reviewed how to develop both a short-term larder and a medium-term larder. Those are the daily basics for long-term supplies. This is a great time to consider bulk supplies as well. The following is an easy approach to long-term food storage:

1. Buy a supply of bulk staples.


2. 2. Build your larder of canned and dried goods until you have a six- to twelve-month surplus. Rotate the contents periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking.


3. 3. From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods. Although costly, this is an excellent form of stored meat, so buy accordingly. Though outing stores have historically been the main source for these kinds of supplies, some grocers are now carrying such supplies. Another option is to purchase dry, packaged mixes from the supermarket.

Wheat, corn, beans and salt can be purchased in bulk quantities fairly inexpensively and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for years on small daily amounts of these staples. The following amounts are minimum suggested per adult, per year:

Other grains to consider storing include rye, rice, oats, spelt, triticale, barley and millet. Pasta products also satisfy the grain component of the diet, especially if you stock whole wheat pastas. Milled rice will maintain its quality longer in storage than will brown rice. Maybe you'd enjoy powdered cheese in your larder for fun and variety.

Shelf Life of Foods for Storage (Unopened)

Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods to ensure the best quality of the products.

* Use within six months:
    Powdered milk (boxed)
    Dried fruit (in metal container)
    Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
    Potatoes
    Nuts, cooking oils

* Use within one year:
    Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
    Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables
    Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
    Peanut butter
    Jelly
    Hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts

* May be stored indefinitely*** (in proper containers and conditions):
    Wheat
    Vegetable oils
    Corn
    Baking powder
    Soybeans
    Instant coffee, tea
    Cocoa
    Salt
    Noncarbonated soft drinks
    White rice
    Bouillon products
    Dry pasta
    Vitamin C
    Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)

***Two to three years

Part of maintaining your larder is to keep the foods in cool, dry conditions. Basements, crawl spaces and root cellars are great options for long-term food storage. Ideally your larder location needs to be a place that's easy to get to so you can easily rotate the stock. But put it where you can and deal with the consequences if it's in less than an ideal spot.

Part of our plan is to stockpile items we may not personally want but could be of interest or value to others for the purpose of bartering and trading. Presuming the reason we are cut off from the grocer isn't a pandemic which would put us in quarantine, we can trade the items we have but don't want to people who want those items and have something we want or need. For example, we don't like many canned vegetables while others don't mind them; that would be a perfect bartering item. And some of the things we like, but have large quantities of, like wheat can be traded too. Think outside the box. Money won't be the only currency of commerce in times of trouble.

Water is the biggest challenge in my mind for storing in ample supply. We presently have several 7- gallon jugs of water, but know that won't be a long-term answer. What solutions can you think of for your situation? Be creative and see what you can figure out.

Now that you have a sense of what you need to do for a long-term food and essentials storage, act. Make your list of foods and supplies you want and will need. Determine your larder location and get it ready for the supplies you'll start buying today. Keep your stock rotation list handy to your supplies and keep it up to date.

As your larder grows, you can enjoy a peace of mind you didn't have before. Even having a plan that you act on today will give you more peace than you may have had before. Action is the key, so develop a plan, determine your storage area, and start buying your food supplies to last you through a long-term situation where food supplies will be difficult or expensive to obtain.