Food Storage on a Budget
By Heather Hales, associate editor

"As you know, in recent past we have placed considerable
emphasis on personal and family preparedness. I hope that
each member of the Church is responding appropriately to
this direction. I also hope that we are understanding and
accentuating the positive and not the negative."
- Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign 1977

One of the best ways to purchase food storage items is through the Church's Home Storage Centers. If you want more information on what your local Home Storage Center is canning/packaging each month, talk to your ward Relief Society Canning Specialist or Provident Living Specialist.

The Home Storage Centers of the Church (aka Bishop Store House or Cannery) sell food to members of the Church to help them fulfill their religious responsiblity to be prepared. Food is available in bulk form (usually 25 pound quantities). In addition, you may schedule the facilties of the Home Storage Center to personally can your food into #10 cans or into pouches. Contact your local Home Storage Center for a product list and schedule. To find the nearest LDS Home Storage Center visit www.providentliving.org.

This article is written for those who want to collect their food storage in ways other than through Home Storage Centers, or want to supplement their cannery storage.

Buying In Bulk
If you belong to a discount "club" store you can easily buy your food storage items in bulk. If you do not have a membership to such stores, many cities also have wholesale grocers with discounted merchandise you can purchase in bulk.

Another way to maximize what you get is to "go-in" with another family, purchasing very large quantities and splitting it up.

Some stores to consider (see if they are in your area)

• Aldi (worldwide)
• Sam's Club
• Costco
• Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc.
• C & S Wholesale Grocers
• Usher Wholesale Grocers (Canada)
  

Piece By Piece
If you want to start small and slowly build your food storage you can shop piece by piece. Every time you go to the grocery store to buy flour (or any other product you need for your food storage) buy one or two extra bags. The extra bags become your food storage and you can rotate them out.

Remember: First In-First Out. My parents always used to mark the food with the date it was brought home so we could be sure to rotate our food properly.

Collecting your food storage this way will take longer, but at least you are buying what you use, so you already know how to use it. You can also buy prepackaged food this way too, which will add variety and flavor to your food storage. Purchasing beans, rice and flour from the church doesn't give you much of a guide on how or what to cook.

Internet
I do not recommend you purchase your food storage over the internet. You may be able to find great deals on food, but shipping costs on bulk items will make it more expensive in the long run. If you choose to buy off the internet be sure to factor the shipping costs into your decision.

For 1 Adult

• Grains - 400 lbs (includes wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal & pasta)
• Legumes - 60 lbs. (Legumes include dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.)
• Powdered Milk - 16 lbs.
• Cooking Oil - 10 quarts
• Sugar or Honey - 60 lbs.
• Salt - 8 lbs
• Water - 14 gallons (Suggested for a two week emergency reserve)

You can also purchase from the Church Home Storage Center a One-Month Kit containing all the food needed for one adult in two compact boxes.

Other On-line Resources:

• Food Storage Central

• FAQ's about Food Storage

• Food Storage Index

• Buy Food Storage Online (this retailer advertises FREE SHIPPING)

• Books about Food Storage