Preparedness

Guide
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Dear Friend,
We live in a great nation. It was built on a frm foundation of principles set forth and made into law by
those that we refer to as the Founding Fathers. These God-fearing statesmen came together in
challenging and difcult times, creating the Republic we have today. There are some historians who
defne the Founding Fathers as much larger group of people; not just the Framers, but all those who, as
politicians, statesmen, soldiers, diplomats, or more importantly, the ordinary citizens who took a stand
and created our freedoms, our rights, and our great nation.

Today, we face increasing challenges as the morale decay within our nation continues as people put
aside God, forget about our freedoms and rights, and rely solely on the government to provide all things
for all situations.

WE, the People, must be better prepared in all things. There are only a few things we can count on to be
ultimately prepared in times of crises, emergency, natural disaster, or unrest.

The attitude of this cannot or will not happen to me continues to permeate our society and sometimes
even our own homes. In 2012, we saw frst-hand the devastation of Super Storm Sandy and our
governments inability to react quickly and decisively. It was amazing to see the vast number of citizens
who were not ready; even with the basic necessities food, water, and heat. As the chaos unfolded,
many people who were expecting immediate government assistance quickly realized it would be days or
weeks at best before even their basic needs were met.

We live in an ever changing world where we dont just need to be prepared to handle a storm or natural
disaster. All you need to do is to look around and see the world events that are occurring: economic
crisis across the world, unstable lands and nations, continual wars or threats of war, and political unrest in
our nation and abroad to name a few.

With all these events happening around us, Food Insurance has created this simple and practical
Preparation Guide to help in the event of an emergency or crisis. It contains the fundamental principles
of preparedness needed to help you and your family become prepared TODAY!

We cannot predict the coming days and the challenges we may face individually or as a nation, but we
can be more fully prepared and be ready to take care of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors.


Sincerely,
The Food Insurance Team
When it comes to preparing for
an emergency, you need to start
with the basics.
Take Inventory
Preparedness Basics: Taking Inventory, Setting Goals & Planning
One of the frst things you should do is take inventory of what you already have and what you still need. Look around
your house. What food storage and emergency preparedness supplies do you already have? What items are missing?
How long would your current supply last? Keep in mind the people you are responsible for and any special needs they
might have. Take into account any allergies or other special needs that people in your family might have, such as a
gluten-free diet. Also remember that preparing for a natural or man-made disaster involves more than just food storage
other items such as water, fashlights, sleeping bags, batteries, and portable radios are all supplies that could prove
essential in an emergency situation. Make sure you have adequate supplies for each member of your family.
Set Goals
A good way to help improve your emergency preparedness is by setting reasonable goals. These goals could involve
how much money you set aside for an emergency reserve fund each month, or how often you make a purchase to build
your emergency supply. No matter what your goals are, it is important for them to be specifc goals that you can start
working on immediately. There is no use setting goals that you will never start or that you will be unable to accomplish.
Another way to make more efective goals is by setting diferent goals for diferent periods of time. For example, you
could set yearly, monthly, or even weekly goals to help build your emergency supply. Choose goals that will work for
your family situation and budget, but will still be efective.
Start Small
One of the best ways to begin building your emergency supply is by starting small. You can start by purchasing a one
week food storage supply for each person in your family. Or you can make simple emergency preparedness kits for
each individual. You can easily make a kit in a backpack for each family member that is easy to grab and take out of the
house in case of an emergency in which you need to leave your home immediately. Include items that would be useful
in an emergency situation, such as a one week supply of food, a simple frst aid & hygiene kit (including any extra
medicine supplies that may be needed), maps, clothes, heat source, water, and water fltration devices.
Have a Family Plan
Finally, make sure you have a clear plan for diferent emergency situations, and that every member of your family is
aware of what they need to do in diferent situations. Plan for a variety of emergencies, such as earthquakes, hurricanes,
blizzards, tornadoes, or any other situations that could arise. Practice with your family and be sure that every individual
knows what they need to do for these diferent scenarios. Set a designated meeting area where your family will regroup
should a situation arise where you have to leave your home or family members are separated from each other.
to being prepared for anything
Assess emergency food supply (take inventory of what you have
on-hand and what your family needs and augment as needed
Identify water sources (bottled water, stored water, water flter)
Have cash on hand (small bills)
Assemble a frst aid kit (more than band aids)
Store extra medicine (as required)
Determine need for protective/weather appropriate clothing
(waterresistant, for warmth, for sun protection)
Have fre extinguisher on-hand
Install fre alarms
Install carbon monoxide alarms
Locate a radio (crank radio does not require batteries)
Identify alternate power source (generator, solar chargers, batteries)
Identify alternate heat source (blankets, hand warmers, freplaces)
Gather fre starters (matches, lighters)
Consider alternate ways of communication (whistle, land line telephone,
cell phone, text, internet access, two-way radio)
Create a contact list (in-state, out-of-state)
Buy batteries (variety)
Create hygiene kit (hand sanitizer, soap, isopropyl alcohol, bleach, iodine)
Evaluate need for a sanitation kit (toilet paper, portable toilet)
Store important documents and photos on USB drive
Gather cooking implements (can opener, knives, portable stove, sun oven, pots)
Identify fuel needs for cooking and other (propane, butane, BBQ)
Survey and/or acquire some camping equipment (tarps, tents, sleeping bags,
blankets, backpacks, camping stoves)
Determine alternate light source (fashlights, candles, head lamps, camping lanterns)
Aggregate tools (shovel, saw, pick, wrench, wire cutters, rope)
Acquire regional maps and have a compass
Determine how to shut of utilities at home (water, electric, gas)
Perform a Home Hazard Hunt ( identify risks at home and remediate)
Keep gasoline tank in vehicles full
Create a family emergency plan (how to evacuate, who to contact, how to
communicate, meeting locations)
Find out more about how to prepare in your area (food zones, fault lines, etc.)
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step 30.
yes no
complete?
30STEPS
start today and have your preparedness action plan complete within only one month
Make your home as safe as it can be
Use this list to hunt for potential hazards in your home:
Identify 2 exits from each room (prepare for how to exit from an upper story window)
Ensure that all exits are unobstructed
Identify tripping hazards (electrical cords, rugs or carpets) and fx
Install window guards on upper story windows to prevent children from falling
Install smoke alarms in every room on each foor
Consider installing carbon monoxide alarms
Identify high profle furniture or items that could fall if not secured properly
(televisions, book shelves, china cabinets)
Identify heavy objects over beds and safeguard or remove
Secure draw cords on blinds or curtains out of reach of children
All Rooms:
Do not ever leave stoves or ovens unattended
Ensure that the outlets near the kitchen sink are GFCI (General Fault Circuit Interrupt) equipped
Keep handles turned inward when cooking on the stove top
Keep cooking areas clean and clear of oils and other combustible ingredients
Keep pan lids within reach in the event of a food fre
Do not store anything in an oven
Do not put anything other than food and food byproducts in a food disposal
Unplug appliances when not in use and store appliance cords properly
Store knives and other sharp objects out of reach of children
Insure access to a fre extinguisher
Kitchen:
Secure hazardous substances (disinfectants, over-the-counter and prescription medications,
cleaning supplies, etc.) in child-proof cabinets
Consider replacing glass containers with plastic ones
Ensure that all outlets are GFCI equipped
Do not overload the electrical outlets
Do not position electrical appliances close to sinks, bath tubs or showers
Bathrooms:
Page 2 - hunting for potential hazards in your home:
Verify that the appliances are properly grounded and vented
Clear out the lint flter after every use
Service dryer vents regularly to keep clear of any obstructions or lint build-up
Do not put oily rags in the drier
Laundry Appliances:
Confrm that freplace inserts and gas/wood stoves comply with local safety and emissions codes
Maintain and clean chimneys annually
Service furnaces every 12 months
Keep all items (furniture, clothes, electrical cords) at least 12 inches
from wall heaters and 36 inches from portable foor heaters
Set water heater at 120 F, no hotter
Consider elevating gas water heaters 18 inches above the foor
Heating Equipment:
Never use or store gasoline or propane inside the home
Only keep a limited supply of gasoline on hand and only in an approved container
Store oily rags in a metal container
Keep fammable materials/liquids (fertilizer, paint, oil) away from children, heat, sparks and fames
Do not store combustible materials such as newspapers or magazines in the attic
Beware of chemical hazards: store bleach and ammonia in separate locations and ensure they are
out of the reach of small children
Garage/Attic/Other Storage Areas:
Know how to turn of the electrical, gas and water to the home
Only plug in one heat-producing appliance in to an outlet at a time
Replace damaged electric sockets, cords and plugs
Avoid using extension cords long term
Do not place electrical cords under a rug
Be sure to use light bulbs with the proper wattage for lamps and fxtures
Do not overload or bypass circuits
Utilities:
Dispose of all ashes and cigarette butts safely in a metal container
Store matches and lighters out of reach of children
Never leave candles or sturno cans unattended
Do not smoke in bed
Check furniture for smoldering cigarettes ( as needed)
Fire Hazards:
120 F
MAX
Page 3 - hunting for potential hazards in your home:
Locate all-purpose fre extinguishers in an accessible locations
Check annually that the fre extinguisher has not been discharged and that it still has pressure
and the hose is unobstructed
Consider a variety of fre extinguishers to address particular types of fres, if needed
Fire Extinguishers:
Confrm that the smoke alarms have been properly installed
Test smoke alarm regularly
Change the battery at least once a year
Smoke Alarms:
Check high profle furniture (shelves, armoirs, china hutches) and secure to the wall
Check for items that could fall of of high shelves
Check high profle appliances (water heaters, water softeners, air conditioners) and secure
Identify mirrors, fat screen TVs, pictures, artwork that should be secured to the studs in the wall
Make sure that anything hanging over a bed is secured appropriately
Brace hanging light fxtures near windows
Secure china/glass cabinets doors so that contents to do not fall out
Confrm that the house is properly fastened to the foundation
Earthquake Hazards:
Secure and store garden furniture and any items outside that may be picked up in high winds
Brace windows and doors with tape and/or wood covers to protect from breaking
Stay away from windows
In the event of a tornado, fnd an inside location that is in the lowest part of the house, away from
outside doors and windows
High Winds/ Hurricane/Tornado Hazards:
Help family members identify and understand the hazards that
exist in homes
Make a fre escape plan and practice it
Designate a meeting place
Store important documents on a USB drive and keep in a
fre-proof safe or cabinet
Have an emergency contact list (in-state and out-of-state)
Make a Plan:
Make your home as safe as it can be
tip 1.
Budgeting Tips for Emergency Preparedness 5
So what is the most likely threat that most Americans will face? While natural disasters are of concern, the greatest overall
threat in recent years has been that of unemployment. According to the United States Department of Labor, the median
duration of unemployment was still standing at more than four months as of March 2013. With such staggering statistics,
theres never been a better time to get a budget frmly in place. Sticking to a budget not only helps families live within their
means, but it also can create a growing emergency budget fund, in case the unexpected happens (natural disaster, job loss,
economic crisis, home damage, etc.).
Here are fve timely tips about the best ways to make and keep a budget:
Start Tracking: Theres no way to know how best to budget if theres no knowledge of how your money
is currently being spent. Finding an online solution that tracks all of your spendingcash, credit, debit,
auto-pay bills, etc. This is the best way to accomplish this quickly and efectively. Try top-rated online
budgeting tools including Mint, Personal Capital, and BudgetPulse.
Make a List: Once theres an understanding of where your money is going each month, theres the ability
to clearly list out what expenses are needs and what are wants.
Set Clear Goals: A great budgeting tip is to make fnancial goals that are defned and specifc. For
example, dont make one of your goals to save. Save for what? College, new house, emergency supply?
Once you defne what your budget is for, you can establish certain amounts and ways to accomplish it.
Pay Yourself First: Kim Kiyosaki, wife of Rich Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, shares her insight: For every
dollar that came into our house, we took 30% of the top before paying any bills10% went into a
savings account for emergencies, 10% went into an investment account, and 10% went into charity or
tithing.
Withdraw Often, as Needed: Its easy to spend with plastic. Since there is no real exchange of actual
money, you dont always see whats leaving your pocket or bank account. Try withdrawing cash from the
ATM at the frst of the week. Only withdraw what you want to spend, and when its gone, its gone.
With so much that can happen unexpectedly, the most important thing to remember about budgeting is that timing is
everything and theres never a better time to recommit than right now.
tip 2.
tip 3.
tip 4.
tip 5.

When designing any
emergency response plan, it is
important to first identify the
most realistic threat you are
likely to face Mounting a
defense against the threat you
are most likely to face will help
manage your fear and your
finances in equal measure.

- anonymous post
TOP50
must have
emergency items
Make your plan
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) say having a family emergency plan in place is vital for making it through a disaster.
Safety & Shelter
Indoor Heat Source (non-toxic)
Outdoor Heat Source (stove & fre starter)
Tarps (neoprene for water & chemical resistance)
Tent (capacity for all family members)
Sun Block (SPF 45)
Bug Repellant (deet at least 15%)
Hand Warmers (charcoal or lighter fuid so they can be reused)
Blankets (bright, heat refective & durable)
Gloves (water-proof & breathable)
Boots (water-proof, durable & at least shin-high)
Wide Brimmed Hat (breathable, blocks sun)
Change of Clothes (at least 1 set per person, weather appropriate)
Medicinal & Hygiene
First Aid Kit (update regularly)
First Aid Manual (review regularly)
Essential Medications (be sure to keep updated)
Isopropyl Alcohol (disinfect wounds)
Bandages (diferent sizes)
Basic Hygiene Products (soap, toothbrush, etc.)
Sanitation Items (toiletries, hand sanitizer, etc.)
Food & Water
Food (2-week supply)
Water (1-gallon per person per day)
Water Filter (knowledge of capacity, output & microns)
Can Opener (manual)
Cooking Pan (all-purpose cast iron skillet)
Fuel for Cooking (fuel pellets or sugar cane for indoor use)
Salt (seasoning & preserving food)
Bleach (water purifcation & sterilization)
Iodine Drops (water purifcation & sterilization)
Survival Tools
Knife (carbon steel, min 4 inch, serrated side, carrying case)
Refllable Lighter / Matches (waterproof, strike anywhere)
Flashlight (water resistant, LEDs dont use batteries as quickly)
Rope (550 paracord, 50 ft.)
Shovel (collapsible)
Flares (both for the car and to be found)
Whistle (know emergency whistle signals)
Batteries (store according to needs of your supplies)
Alternative Energy Source (generator, solar panels, etc.)
Hatchet (keep with sheath)
Dust Mask (one for each person)
Safety Glasses (one pair for each person)
Organization
Emergency Contact List (with at least 1 out of state contact)
USB Drive (contains all important documents)
Access to Emergency Cash (enough for 2 weeks)
Know How to Turn Of Home Gas, Electric & Water
(ensure all family members know how)
Travel & Communication
Two-way Radio (2 charged & set to same frequency)
Hand Crank Radio/Charger (usually doubles as a fashlight)
Compass (know basic orientations)
Backpack (shoulder & waist straps)
Gasoline (for transportation)
Maps (local, have designated family meeting location)
Preparedness Questionnaire:
What types of foods have you stored (meats, grains, fruits,
vegetables, starches)?
meats
grains
fruits
vegetables
starches
other ____________________
1.
What is the remaining shelf life of the items you have stored?
meats
grains
fruits
vegetables
starches
other ___________
2.
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
How much food do you have stored now (How many people,
for how long, calories per day)?
days/weeks/months
number of people
calories per day
3.
____________________
____________________
____________________
Can your stored foods be prepared without electricity?
yes
no
both
4.
How many gallons of water do you have stored now?
days/weeks/months
number of people
gallons per day
5.
____________________
____________________
____________________
Do you have a water flter?
yes
no
yes, but need to upgrade
6.
How much capacity does your water flter have?
25 - 100 gallons
100 - 500 gallons
500 - 2000 gallons
2000+ gallons
7.
Do you have a 72 hour kit or bug out bag?
yes
no
yes, but need to upgrade
8.
How many people are you preparing for or how many people
do you want to take care of? ____________________
9.
How many days, weeks or months of food would you like to
prepare for?
10.
less than 1 month
2 - 4 months
4 - 6 months
6 months - 1 year
How many meals per day would you prefer for each person
you are preparing for?
11.
1 entre
2 entrees
3 entrees
3+ entrees
How many calories per day per person are you looking to
acquire?
12.
500 - 1000
1000 - 1500
1500 - 2000
2000 +
How important is taste to you and those you are preparing for? 13.
not important neutral very important
How important is shelf-life to you and those you are
preparing for?
14.
not important neutral very important
Do you have any special dietary needs?
no
yes ___________________________________________
15.
How much space do you have available for storing food or
where do you plan to store your emergency food supplies?
___________________________________________________
16.
Do you have a desired budget for food storage?
no
yes $______________________
17.
Are there specifc preparedness items you are interested in?
pre-made meals
meats
fruits and vegetables
grains
starches
drinks
water storage
18.
Are there other preparedness items not listed above that you
are looking for?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
19.
Is there a preservation method you prefer over another?
freeze-dried foods
dehydrated foods
both dehydrated and freeze-dried
unclear on the diferences
20.
12Questions
You Should Always Ask Before
Purchasing Emergency Food Products
1. Does the food or meal plan contain TVP?
TVP is an acronym for textured vegetable protein and is commonly used in food, in place of meats.
TVP will typically be listed as soy nuggets, textured soy protein, soy meat, soya chunks or soy four.
A high concentration of Soy Protein can also indicate that TVP is the main source of protein.
2. How many calories are provided per person per day?
When considering calories-per-day, more may not always be better.
Understand the quality of the calories you intake. A heavy amount or servings of drinks/drink mix or foods with
high sugar or carbohydrates (grains or starches) may not provide you the correct balance of calories you need in
an everyday situation or at a time of high stress.
According the American Journal of Medicine, you may need 1,200 - 2,500 calories per day, based on your height,
weight and activity level; however, caloric needs are diferent for everyone.
3. Have you compared the price per serving?
Lower is not always better. Price per serving is a common way for companies to present their food products at a
competitive price.
Compare the costs of the meals to meals, drinks to drinks, and side items/snack items to the same.
Make sure you look at the nutrition panel for clarifcation when comparing one brand or product vs. others. It is
important to compare protein content and other key nutrients when considering price per serving
Compare the actual serving size. (Be aware that companies do not all use the same serving size; they may range
from cup to 1 cup.) The number of calories per serving is the easiest way to compare.
4. Is there variety and balance in the meals ofered?
Today you enjoy a variety of products and tastes in each of your daily meals.
In Barbara Salsburys bestselling book Preparedness Principles, she discusses the need for food options on both an
emotional and nutritional level.
When choosing products, ensure that you are getting a diverse assortment of products and favors and that you
know how to use them.
5. Are there advantages in how food is packaged?
Oxygen and moisture are the biggest challenges to preserving shelf-life for any food. Oxygen and moisture
provide the environment a catalyst where bacteria grow and thrive.
Freeze-drying and dehydrating will both remove a signifcant amount of moisture from the food.
An oxygen level below 2% is optimal for long term storage, while moisture levels must be below 4%.
Oxygen absorbers are critical to maintaining optimal oxygen levels in freeze-dried or dehydrated foods
According to packaging studies conducted by Oregon Freeze Dry (the nations leading long-term food supplier)
properly sealed metal cans provide the best environment/conditions for food products to maintain a 25+ year
shelf-life, as well as taste, texture, and nutritional value. Mylar pouches or basic pouches, although very
convenient, have a higher probability to become compromised, allowing oxygen and moisture into the package.
Most pouches provide a maximum 7 to 10 years of shelf life when stored properly.
12 Questions You Should Always Ask Before Purchasing Emergency Food Products
6. Where do I store my food? What are the recommended storage conditions?
Optimal storage conditions for dehydrated products are in place that can maintain a maximum 50-55 0F or below.
Freeze dried foods optimal storage conditions are also a cool location that can maintain a 70 0F or below. You
should never store food products in direct sunlight, high humidity, or heat.
7. Are the eggs powdered or freeze-dried?
Both powdered eggs and freeze-dried eggs are a good source of protein and will provide good nutritional content.
Powdered eggs are dehydrated eggs. Powdered eggs need to be cooked in a pan.
Freeze-dried eggs have already been cooked and only require hot water to prepare.
Powdered eggs can achieve a shelf life of 3-10 years when stored properly. Freeze-dried eggs have been found to
last 25 years when packaged and stored properly.
8. How do I know I am purchasing from a reputable company?
Ask all of the questions that will help you feel comfortable with the company, brand, and choice of products that
you purchase.
It is always a good idea to understand product guarantees, return policies, and shipping methods.
If you are not purchasing directly, but through a reseller (whether websites or traditional retailers) be aware that
many do not carry inventory or may only stock a minimal inventory.
9. Should I purchase meals, single items, or both?
Take an assessment of what you already have in your pantry before you decide what products to purchase.
Combining a meal plan/package with other single items will typically provide the most variety and overall best
value as most Brands/Resellers usually build in attractive discounts for buying more.
10. Where is the food manufactured?
Most brands do not produce their own food, but rather contract with food manufacturers.
Food needs to be produced in food grade manufacturing facilities or USDA approved.
11. How do I prepare the food?
Both dehydrated and freeze dried products need water.
Generally dehydrated products require you to boil water, add the food, simmer for a predetermined time (usually
20-30 minutes) and stir.
If you are preparing dehydrated foods, you will need to think about how you will boil water.
Freeze-dried food requires you to just add water and wait 6-12 minutes depending on the meal or food. Most
people prefer warm food so adding hot water is generally preferred, but it is not always with freeze-dried foods.
12. Is Free Shipping really Free?
When companies ofer standard FREE shipping, you should be aware that they have accounted for the shipping
cost in their fnal pricing to you. You are most likely paying for it one way or another.
If a company is ofering FREE shipping as limited promotion, it probably is truly a promotion and you are saving on
the shipping cost.
Do not get caught up in FREE shipping as a key driver to make your decision.
Emergency Water Preparedness
Water Containers
This is the most basic, and maybe the most efective way to store water. There are many diferent containers in which you can
store your water. You can just stick with the classic way and store it in your extra soda and water bottles that you have around
the house. The more efective and safer way is to buy actual water containers at a store. Whatever route you choose, storing
water in basic containers is a great way to have water during any emergency.
Water Treatment Pills and Drops
The purpose of water pills and drops are to kill the bacteria in the water, and if you plan on storing them after, to increase
storage usage time. These tools can be useful before and after emergency situations. You can use these to help the water
that you have stored in your water containers. Also, it is a good idea to have some water pills and/or drops in your storage
that you can use in the moment during an emergency in order to clean your water and make it drinkable.
Water Filters
There are many diferent types of water flters, and most of them are very efective. Water flters do exactly what they say in
their name, they flter out harmful and destructive bacteria or contaminates from your water. The best type of water flter
for emergency situations may be flters that come inside of water bottles. These can easily be stored and can be used with
most any water sources. If you have a few of these bottles, you and your family will be able to drink clean water in almost
any situation.
Finding Water
This is a skill and ability that not many people have. This can depend on what region you live in and what your surroundings
are. You should do some research about your area and see where you can fnd water for you and your family. Also, if you feel
like you have time and are able, you can go online and learn how to fnd water in any situation and in any area.
The single most important
resource in order to stay
alive is water.
Water is the most important part of any emergency preparedness plan.
Boiling Water
This is a great way to get your water clean and usable. If you can fnd a source of water, you can then boil it and almost always
get rid of the bacteria that can harm you and your family. Boiling water can be used to store and drink, or can be used for
cooking. When considering this option, though, you need to think about the other materials and skills you will need. It would
be wise to know how to start and keep a fre going. Also, you need to have the correct pots that can be used to boil over an
open fre.
This means that you need to be fully
equipped and prepared in regards to
water if you are to survive during any
emergency.
Gardening: Becoming Self-Reliant
Eat Healthy
Although you may think that during an emergency you wont be thinking about eating healthy, this should not be the case.
Especially in emergencies that last more than a few days, you will not want to be eating the same staples every day. Not only
will this be bad for your health over time, but you will get sick of eating that kind of food. In long-term emergencies where
you cannot make it to a supermarket or grocery store, you will be happy you had your own source of fruits and vegetables in
your meals.
Save Money
Many times people do not have their own food storage because of the fear that they cannot aford it. It is true that
accumulating enough food to have an efective supply for an emergency can be pricey. Having your own garden can lower
these costs. Seeds are very cheap and you can grow fruits and vegetables and then add them to your food storage
incrementally as you grow more in your garden. You will not be able to have a big supply straight from your garden right
away, but over time your healthy food storage will increase. Especially in this economy, anyway to save a few pennies is
worth the efort, and growing your own food from your own garden is a great cost efective solution to food storage.
Self-Sustaining
As mentioned in a previous paragraph, we never know when an emergency will occur, and for how long it will last. In a worst
case scenario, we could go months without being able to travel or buy food, which means we must be able to live by
ourselves. It is important that we plan as if the worst case scenario were to happen. If you have a functioning garden, you
have a way to continually get food for any amount of time. You would need to have the right seeds in your storage, which
would then enable you to plant and grow necessary items, even in the midst of an emergency. This would also be essential
and important if your food storage supply were to be afected in the emergency, as you would have an alternate way to
create food for your family.
Right Now Benefts
Not only will you be able to eat healthier in emergencies and save money on food storage, you get both of these benefts in
the present also. You can grow your own vegetables for your own meals right now to eat healthier, and you can save money
by not purchasing those same things for you lunches and dinners. Apart from these benefts, you also will be outside more
often and get some exercise. Lastly, it is rewarding to see your own fruits and vegetables in your meals, knowing that you
made it happen.
When thinking about how to best
prepare yourself and your family for an
emergency, having your own garden
might not be something that comes to
mind. It turns out that having your
own household garden is one of the
best food options when preparing for
an unknown event or emergency. Lets
discuss why your own garden would be
such a good idea.
When thinking about how to best prepare yourself and your family for an emergency, having your own garden might not be
something that comes to mind. It turns out that having your own household garden is one of the best food options when
preparing for an unknown emergency. Lets discuss why your own garden would be such a good idea.