Food storage is something that might evoke pictures of survivalists dressed in camouflage carrying guns and eating military surplus rations. However, food storage is a great idea for our time, not just for someone focused on surviving the end of the world or some doomsday scenario, but for people focused on everyday survival.
Many regular households in America today suffer from some form of food insecurity. This means they don't always know where their next meal is coming from, miss meals on a regular basis or lack the financial means to provide adequate nutrition for all their members. Many of these families are headed by women or have small children. The needs of these families can sometimes be assisted with better meal planning and the help of government programs like WIC(Women, Infant, Children), a supplemental food program for lower income mothers and their children under the age of five.
However, if you lack basic cooking skills, even simple tasks like cooking dried beans can seem out of your reach. Beans are easy to store for up to a year at a time, are a great source of vegetable protein, and provide a healthy amount of fiber. They are also low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates. For anyone who is seeking better health, beans and other legumes can be a great addition to a simple food storage program. Beans should be rinsed before cooking.
Bring one pound of beans to a boil in one gallon of water, then reduce heat and cook at a low simmer for 2-3 hours or until they are soft and ready to eat. Beans can be added to soups, salads, and traditional uses like refried beans and chili. While beans are simple to cook, they do require some attention. Stirring them every half hour will help prevent scorching and give you an opportunity to add additional water if needed. Cooking them with some salt, garlic or onions in the water helps improve their flavor.
Another item that is easy to store and cook is dried pasta. In a plastic bag, it will keep fresh for over a year with no loss in food value or cooking ability. If your pasta comes in a box, simply enclose in a heavy weight airtight plastic bag, like a freezer bag to preserve freshness. Basic canned goods like soups, vegetables and fruits can help feed your family in lean times. If you are laid off, or have a minor financial emergency your family will be able to eat your food storage.
Author Resource:
The Ready Project LLC (http://www.thereadyproject.com/) is an emergency preparedness company, offering the highest quality survival food storage at affordable pricing, emergency preparedness supplies and emergency kits. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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