When I first started gathering food storage, I did it without a list, and I duplicated my efforts on more than one occasion (I bought more than I needed of a specific item) because I was held hostage by my memory only. A food storage list helps you to be not only more organized, but more prioritized. You can easily know what you need and in the order of importance it should be gathered. You can also check food storage items off your list as you acquire them. And, with the right food storage book, you can figure out from food storage charts and such how much of a particular food storage item or supply you will need for family or other household members of various ages and nutritional needs.

You know what your family will and won’t eat. You don’t have to follow the exact same food storage list within a food storage book, but definitely let it be your guide. You may find in some instances that you would rather substitute an item for the one listed. But recognize the nutrition element may not be equivalent for that which you switched for. In any case, you will at least have a model to form your own food storage list after, and things won’t be as helter-skelter. Besides, on your own, you are not likely to remember each key ingredient of a robust food storage.

There are many food storage and emergency preparedness book experts that have paved the way by doing the research to discover exactly what foods are most beneficial and efficient (and in what measured amounts) to keep a person or persons alive for extended periods of time. They know what they are talking about. Isn’t it intelligent (and reassuring) to be able to follow their lead by virtually “looking over their shoulder” at their food storage list and patterning yours after theirs? They have already done the necessary homework for you, all you need to do is make your food storage list (based on theirs) and get to shopping!

Food Storage Survival Seeds

Sometimes when you are going about your ambitious task of obtaining a full one year food storage supply you are so involved that you can’t see the forest for the trees.  Of course, almost anything edible and nonperishable that you put in your food storage will be of benefit to you, but there are some things that get overlooked.  I’m not suggesting that you aren’t smarter than a whip or not thinking hard, it’s just that you may not be thinking outside of the “food storage box”.  Remember the whole purpose for having food storage items under your stewardship is so that you can sustain yourself for varying periods of time from the short term to the longer term.

What better idea for a long term food storage solution that food storage seeds (better known as survival seeds)?  Food storage seeds are a perfect addition to your food storage supplies because they can sustain you indefinitely with nutritious garden produce (and how much of that do you have in your food storage room?  It doesn’t store very well.)!  I say indefinitely because the smartest idea for securing food storage seeds for you and yours is to make certain they are heirloom seeds.  These survival seeds are not genetically modified and are unpatented.  Because they haven’t been modified genetically (this means they are not hybrid), you can plant the seeds that come from your first harvest, your second harvest, your third harvest… you get the idea.  These food storage seeds are called survival seeds because you can dry out the seeds from your harvest and plant them the following year.  That’s the disadvantage of a hybrid seed.  You can’t do that with a hybrid seeds because it is essentially sterile.  Sure, hybrid seeds might sometimes be BMT (bigger, meatier, tastier), but what’s more healthy for you and more prolific in the long run?  Science hasn’t even proven whether GMO (genetically modified) foods are even healthy for you or what the long term side effects may be.  Messing with nature is a crap shoot at best and a disaster at worst.

You can buy food storage seeds, set them, and forget them.  Of course, you are not counting on Doomsday or hoping for it to happen.  You just want to be prepared for come what may.  There are a variety of the most healthful heirloom seeds available—almost anything you can think of.  For a very reasonable price you can obtain enough seeds to plant a full acre!  And remember, this food storage seed investment pays big dividends in fresh garden fruits and vegetables year after year!  You would be well advised to get some seeds for food storage and some to “practice” with for the next growing season.  See if they don’t taste even better than the hybrid because they are natural.  If you are a gardener it’s a no-brainer.  Gardeners are always looking for and wanting to try new things with their green thumbs.  And think what food storage seeds (heirlooms) could be worth someday if there were food shortages as has been predicted.  It’s an investment and a safety precaution.  And just a smart choice for your health, too!

Related Posts:

Food Storage Bartering: My This for Your That
The Utility of Heirloom Seeds
A Simple Sample of an Emergency Food Storage Solution
Using GPS for Survival Geocaching