Food
If an earthquake, fire, winter strom, hurrican or other disaster hits your community you might not have access to food or
water for days or weeks. By taking the time to store emergency food and water, you can provide for your family in such a time
of need. MREs can be of great help.
A supply of food for three months is recommended for your family and pets. Most food items won't stay fresh, let alone edible, for that long. So, stock up on the items that can last a long time.
Canned Foods
Most canned foods will store safely for several years, and more things come in cans than you may realize. This is a good way to have fruits and vegetables last nearly forever. You can even find ham, chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, corned beef, and more main-dish items in cans.
Just add water
Many manufacturers offer prepared ready to eat meals in a packet. Add a little water to turn the contents into a complete meal. These packets are lightweight, don't take up much room, and can be stored for a long time. Are also used by the military.
Dried (dehydrated) foods
Dried jerky comes in beef, turkey and other varieties, and these will keep for a very long time. You can dry your own meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. Drying can be done in the sun, in your oven on a very low setting, or with a store-bought dryer. You can purchase many food items already dried for you.
Dry Goods
Dry goods can be stored for a long time if they can be sealed air tight. It is a good ideal to have plastic containers with tight lids for storage of opened cereal, crackers, rice and wheat. Unopened cereal will usually last for 6-12 months, semi-swetened chocolate is good for 2 years, flour for 12-18 months, condensed or evaporated milk for 12 months, pasta, sugar and rice for 2 years.
Dairy Products
Eggs and milk can be bought in powdered form with milk also coming in cans. Eggs can be stored without refrigeration in kept completely covered in salt.
Prepared Foods
Foods like pasta and tomato sauce can be prepared in advanced and canned or jarred by following standard canning procedures.
Hunting for food
If you are able to get to a stream, river, lake or ocean, you should have fishing gear on hand. Take care that your fishing area was not contaminated during or after the disaster. A sporting goods store can help you pick out the size and type of gear appropriate for your location (ocean versus lake fishing, for example). Those in the country may be able to hunt some of their own food (deer, rabbit, quail etc.). If hunting is new to you, be sure to get a good book on how to hunt safely and what to do with an animal that you have killed for food. Taking a training course in advance would be a great idea for you to learn and for the safety of yourself and everyone around you.
Pick out an easy to use and maintain weapon .
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