Emergency Preparedness: Food Supplies

I live in California so I have to be prepared for earthquakes in addition to any other emergencies or ecological disasters. The recent earthquakes in Japan have disaster preparedness on my mind. Emergency/earthquake kits are supposed to have food and additional supplies to aid in survival for at least 72 hours. In my opinion that is way too short. What if help or aid does not arrive for weeks in my area and I should have to remain in my home?

Do you have enough food to survive until help does arrive? Or should you have to evacuate your home do you have food and supplies that you can easily take with you?

I like to keep my pantry stocked with bulk food items in containers and jars. These are items I use on a daily basis. Obviously I do not stock my pantry with bulk items I won't end up using. When they don't get used they don't get rotated and eventually go rancid. Should I need to remain in my home during a disaster I prefer to have about a two week supply for myself and one other person. Generally most bulk items like pasta and rice will last for a year or two when stored correctly (like in jars with tight fitting lids) and are easily obtained at most health food stores. Good items to have on hand in addition to pasta and rice are beans, rolled oats, and quinoa. I also keep in mind how I will cook these items if I am left with out electricity so I keep a small stove and fuel on hand. A camping stove is perfect for this!

Emergencies are another reason to grow and keep a organic garden! Not only is it fun it increases my fresh food supplies. I have only a small balcony garden but it would definitely give me another week of food supplies easy (See previous post: Balcony gardening). Sprouting and or microgreens are other great ways to increase food supplies (I shall post more about these topics later).

My "grab and go" emergency kit contains supplies I will take with me if I need to evacuate my home (again a two week supply). I was dissatisfied with the emergency kits I found in stores and online. Most kits contained foods that did not appeal and they probably contain GMO's (see previous post: Natural Products Expo West) and foods grown with pesticides. So I made my own. This allowed me to choose the type of food items I enjoy. I purchased many organic canned food items because of the long shelf lives they have and the protection the can provides. This did not leave many options except for canned beans and soups and as I am sure you know cans contain cancer causing BPA's (Bisphenol A). However, I was excited to find a newly launched company that makes storable organic foods and superfoods! The foods are organic with no GMO's and a BPA free bag enclosure! Finally, another option!
Check out: Health Ranger Storable Organics at
http://www.storableorganics.com/Index.asp

Be prepared and stay safe!

Check back on 5/20 for Fermentation Friday: How to brew your own kombucha!