Would you be prepared if you were not able to go to the store? Maybe because you became ill and were quarantined, there was a natural disaster, or any number of reasons. If you have a pantry stocked with nonperishable foods, you are well on your way to being able to feed yourself and your family.
Why do we need a well-stocked food pantry? There may be no access to food, water, heat and power. A storm can confine your family at home. A quarantine may make it difficult to replenish food supplies due to not being able to get out of your house. Most sources recommend a three-day to three-week supply of non-perishable food and water for each member of your family.
In a disaster situation, it's best to use bottled water if possible. Have at least a three-day supply of water and store at least one gallon of water per person per day. For a family of four that's 12 gallons.
Buy commercially bottled water, keep in its original container and observe the "use by" date. If you prepare your own, use food grade water storage containers from camping supply stores. Clean before filling with water. You may also choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles, but not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be removed adequately and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them.
Thoroughly clean the soft drink bottles with dishwashing soap and water; rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach into a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces, including the lid. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.
Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water that has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine. Nothing else is needed to keep it clean. Replace water prepared by yourself every six months.
Plan menus to include as much variety as possible; three weeks' worth of Vienna sausage, sardines, saltine crackers and beans isn't variety. Make sure you have enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work.
It is a good idea to select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water when preparing your pantry for a natural disaster. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno or keep a camp stove with fuel handy.
Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.
Make a list that contains as many of your family's favorite foods as possible. Include high energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix. Don't forget the staples, sugar, salt, pepper. Special treats, like candy and cookies should be included as morale boosters.
Remember to plan foods for infants, the elderly, or those with special dietary needs. Keep an adequate supply of prescription medications and a first aid kit. Don't forget your pets. Plan a pet survival kit with food and water too. One last thing, don't forget to include a manual can opener in your food pantry!
Preparing your food pantry for an emergency is something you hope you don't have to use, but if it happens, you will be glad you did. It could be from a quarantine due to illness, fire, flood, thunderstorm, tornado or any other natural disasters.
Be prepared by getting your free copy of One Week Meal Planner, based on MyPlate, and the accompanying shopping list, contact the Miller County Extension Office, 870-779-3609 or visit us in room 215 at the Miller County Courthouse. We're online at [email protected], on Facebook at UAEXMillerCountyFCS, on Twitter @MillerCountyFCS or on the web at uaex.edu/Miller.
Carla Due is a county extension agent-staff chair, with the Miller County Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.