The Prepper’s Pantry: Survival Food Basics: Survival Basics, #2

By Bill Cobb

Prepping, Pantry, and Food Preservation - Save Your Family!

Preppers know that one of the most important things in their stockpile is a steady source of food. But most people just go out to the store and waste money buying a bunch of boxed garbage that isn't healthy and won't provide the proper nutrients you need to survive any situation.

But there is a much better way - building a Prepper's Pantry!

With this guide, you'll learn the ins and outs of creating the perfect survival pantry for any survival situation. You'll learn:

- What exactly prepping is
- Why you should worry about building a Prepper's Pantry
- The many benefits of Food Storage basics
- Common Food Storage Meethods
- What equipment you'll need to do it the right way
- How to Store Different Types of Foods
- Much, much more!

So, don't wait. Pick up The Prepper’s Pantry today and get started right away. You and your family's safety may just depend on it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Our Pack Press
• Release date: Jan 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781507036280

Book preview

Introduction

We live in a world that is simply not in the best shape. It seems like every day we hear of another disaster, act of war or somebody hacking into computer systems and causing major damage. In these uncertain times, it is normal for people to want to do what they can to prepare themselves for a disaster. It doesn't matter what disaster you feel is looming; the goal of creating a nice pantry full of food that will sustain your family is worthy. Creating a food pantry requires some careful planning or the term that is more commonly attached to building up a nice supply of food—prepping. Prepping has become a way of life for people all around the country and the world. Preparing to live through financial hardship, a natural disaster or an act of war drives people to stock up on staples that will feed their families until things return to normal.

It would be difficult to jump right into prepping, so this guide will take you through the basics of food storage including how to store food and the various methods used. It isn't quite as simple as buying a case of soup and putting it on the shelf in the back of the pantry. You have to really think about what you are going to store in case of an emergency that leaves you reliant upon what food you stocked in your pantry.

What is prepping

If you have heard of the term prepping, you may have some questions. What is prepping? Prepping is preparing to live through a catastrophic event. Prepping means preparing to live without the help of government aid or emergency services. You are doing what it takes to stay alive on your own steam, which quite frankly, is your best bet. We have seen what happens to those who rely on government aid when there is a major event. It may not be the government's fault completely, but it doesn't matter. You can't afford to sit and wait while you wait for bread and milk to be handed out. Wouldn't you feel better knowing you had a pantry of food at your fingertips? Wouldn't you feel better knowing you can feed your child the food he or she likes and not whatever is left over from the aid that was delivered?

The government knows there is a real possibility they won't be able to help citizens in areas that have been hit hard by a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. They have told citizens to store at a minimum three days worth of food and water. What if they can't get to you in three days? You also have to think of the chaos that will surround those vehicles that contain food for victims of a disaster. There have been stories of people shooting one another to get the aid that was delivered. Stampedes are another concern. Do you really want to risk your life or the lives of your family members trying to get rations that will do little to satisfy your family?

It just makes sense that you would want to take care of your family's needs without worrying about who may or not be able to help. Without worrying about how you will get to the aid or worrying about your safety as you try to retrieve the aid. Don't wait to plan for your family's future. Prepping is all about taking advantage of the steady supply of food and other necessities we have access to today.

Food Storage Basics

Storing food is pretty basic, but if you have never stored large amounts of food you may need a little extra information. Right now, you probably have a pantry and a few cupboards that you use to store the food you eat on a daily or weekly basis. Consider those spaces and you will see they have a few things in common. There are some key elements that make for a good food storage space.

Away from direct sunlight

No exposure to extreme heat or extreme cold

Dry—damp areas are just asking for trouble

Ventilated

Free of pests

Not everybody will have a basement or large pantry to transform into an emergency food storage place. You can distribute your goods throughout your house if necessary. In fact, you should have a main food storage along with stashes throughout your house. A spare room will suffice and will allow you plenty of room to install shelves. Make sure you have heavy curtains or blinds over the window to keep out the sunlight. Using the vacant space under your beds, in the back of the closets and even the linen closet are all options for storing food. Installing shelves above doorways is another way to store food when you have little space for a pantry.

Let's talk about shelving. You need to have adequate shelving that can hold up under the weight of heavy cans and bottles of water. The wire rack shelving is an excellent choice. It is sturdy and allows air to move through the shelving unit. It is also a good idea to secure the shelving to a wall to keep it from tipping forward. Wall anchors and shims under the front of the unit can help keep it from falling forward if there is vibration from a bomb blast or a minor earthquake. Adding a length of rope or a piece of wood along the front of each shelf will also help keep your goods in their place. You don't need to have all of your hard work get destroyed by exploding cans of chili that have hit the floor.

Wooden shelves are okay for lightweight foods, buy they will bend under the weight of heavier items. Look for shelving units on Craig’s List and at your local thrift stores. Stores that are remodeling will often sell their old shelving units at bargain prices as well.

Pests are going to find your food supply. Be proactive and keep a close eye out for any activity. Use ant bait, mousetraps or whatever is necessary to keep the pests from eating all of your food. We will discuss food storage methods next, but storing your food properly can protect your food from being contaminated or eaten by pests. You can also use essential oils to help repel pests. Peppermint oil dabbed onto a strip of cloth and tied to your shelves is one way to repel insects. Use steel wool to fill in any gaps and holes along the floors to keep mice from coming in.

If you are storing your emergency food pantry in the basement, keep a close watch for mold growth. This can contaminate a food supply. Basements tend to be damp and of course, dark. Do your due diligence to keep the area dry. Consider installing a fan to keep the air circulating. This can help reduce mold growth. If you spot mold, thoroughly clean the area with a bleach solution.

Get into the habit of putting the newest foods in the back. You need to make sure you are properly rotating your food. Check dates often, but understand an expiration date is not set in stone. If you have created a healthy environment for your food, you can typically extend the shelf life. The food may not be quite as tasty or fresh, but it will be edible.

Keep a close eye out for signs of spoilage, especially with your canned foods. Botulism is a real risk, especially with foods that have been home-canned. Never risk eating food if you suspect it is spoiled. Botulism is a deadly toxin that is common in spoiled canned food. Cans that are