Food storage is one of the corner-stones of preparedness. Loss of a job, illness, cut in pay, natural disaster, or any other situation may arise that would necessitate living off of what we have in our own home. Imagine quarantine; no deliveries to supermarkets, shelves are bare. Would you be able to feed your family for a month or more from what you currently have in your home? Most of us would answer no. So, what should we do?

Food storage is all about "storing what you eat, and eating what you store". In other words, don't purchase food items that you are not already eating. Many supermarkets now have case-lot sales where a savvy shopper may pick up boxes of canned goods for cheap. This is a great way to get started on food storage. Make a list of what your family regularly eats, and pick up those items when there is a sale. Be sure to check expiration dates. Once these items are home, store them in a cool, dry place and begin using them. The last thing you want is to have a case of canned goods that have not been rotated into your pantry, and then expire.

Another way to expand your food storage is by purchasing dehydrated or free dried foods. What is the difference? Preparedness Plus (www.PreparednessPlus.net) put together the chart below that summarizes the pros and cons of each:

Freeze-Dried Strawberries

Freeze-Dried Food:
Rapidly frozen food
Process avoids shrinkage of product
Freeze-dried at low temperature
98% of moisture removed
Retains original taste
Products include grains, beans, fruits, meats, seafood, pastas, vegetables and eggs
Quick and easy to prepare: requires less time to reconstitute than dehydrated. Hot or cold water may be used to reconstitute
Shelf life: 15-20 years / 18 months after opening (although some people have used theirs 3 years after opening with no decline in taste)

Dehydrated Pumpkin

Dehydrated Food:
Dehydrated at high oven temperature
90% - 95% of the moisture is removed
Hydrating is quick and easy for items such as onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, carrots and mushrooms
Taste is not an issue if items are combined with other foods, and/or spices are used
Cheaper to purchase than freeze-dried
Shelf life same as freeze-dried
Takes longer to reconstitute and hot water is required

The consensus on taste is that freeze-dried is better. One person explained it this way; if you are going to have green beans as a side dish, buy free-dried. If you are putting green beans into a casserole or soup with other ingredients and seasonings, get dehydrated. So, the answer is to purchase a little of both, but do your research first. Go on-line and find reputable food preparedness sites. Read their reviews. Call and talk to someone. Have them explain to you why their product is better than the "other guy". Talk to people you know who have made food storage purchases and ask for their recommendations.

Once you have narrowed your search, call the company (most have local reps), and ask them for a "tasting" test. Don't ever buy anything that you haven't tasted! Remember that this is YOUR food storage, not your friends or neighbors.

Some reps will want to come to your home. I personally do not like this approach as it is too easy to be "strong-armed" into purchasing products you don't want and can't truly afford.

Instead, call the company and ask if they send out samples through the mail. I called one company and they sent me 3 small packets, each with a different food to try.

Don't feel like you have to purchase "all or nothing". Most reputable food storage companies will sell their products by the can, as well as put together products in a 3 month and 6 month package. However, don't be "sold" on a 3 month supply of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, unless you have the money and love the product. Personally, I purchase 1 or 2 cans at a time.

There are some great products out there. Everything from dehydrated/freeze-dried bananas to beef stroganoff can be purchased in a #10 can (the size of a large can of coffee). Start sampling and see what works for you.