At Home – Step 1 of 4

1. Disaster Food Supply

First, Read the Information You Need:

When we are hungry, we get food from grocery stores to cook or go out to eat in a restaurant. Most of us take this for granted.

Most stores in North America operate on a just in time basis—which means they replenish the shelves every couple of days based upon what sells. After a disaster, you can expect food distribution to be disrupted. If roads are damaged, trucks cannot deliver goods. If manufacturers and warehouses are impacted, the goods that they held are gone and they must be found elsewhere, farther away.

Most households have food for two-three days. Remember, that widespread power outages are probably a given in a disaster, so food in the refrigerator will only last part of a day if the door remains closed. Frozen food lasts for 48 hours, depending on the outdoor temperature. The more food in your freezer, the more likely it will last for 48 hours. The less food, and it will last less time. But if you have a large freezer stock, you have a larger amount of food to use in a short amount of time. In the cold of winter frozen foods could last longer, but sunlight can affect frozen food so never try and store freezer food in the snow in your yard. Bacteria can grow on the surface, and it could make you sick, even if it still feels frozen when you use it.

When building your disaster food supply, make sure you include food you and your family like to eat. Don’t rely on foods you have not tried. After a disaster is not the time to find out you cannot stand to eat an MRE—Meals Ready to Eat.

Psychologically a normal and healthy diet can lessen the emotional trauma of a disaster. Try to keep your food supply as close to normal as possible. Remember to plan for food allergies and special dietary needs.

It is important to rotate your food stocks every six months. Consider rotating your food stocks when the time changes (Daylight Savings).

Second, Chose One Option to Complete:

Option 1: One Week Plan

Option 2: No Refrigerator or Freezer

Don’t worry about power outages for this activity. Just make a one-week meal plan. What would your family each for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for 7 days? Include any snacks if you don’t think you could live without them. Make sure they are meals your family enjoys. The idea is you will eat this plan 4 weeks in a row. If you have enough supplies in your house to make your meal plan 4 times, you have enough food in your house for almost a 1 month supply. What was your favorite day in your 7 day plan? Could you eat this plan for 4 weeks in a row? Talk to your family. How many of them would be willing to eat this plan 4 weeks in a row during an emergency?

Make a one-week meal plan where nothing on it has to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.   Just because they might use something from the fridge or freezer, don’t throw out all your favorite meals right away. There are alternatives. Used canned meats (chicken, roast beef, ham, tuna, or sardines), not fresh. Canned milk, not fresh. Dried powered eggs instead of fresh. Ghee or shortening instead of butter. You’ll be surprised what you can still eat even without a fridge or freezer. What meal do you like the best on your plan? What was the most interesting substitute you had to make for one of your favorite meals? Talk to your family. How many of the meals would they be willing to eat as you designed it?

Congrats!

Daisies stop here. You’ve earned the Food Rocker!

Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and Adults, go Step 2!

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