Preparing for Y2K

Your grandmother's larder (pantry) was probably larger than our modern-day ones. Years ago it was common place to have the pantry stocked with enough items to last a year. The Mormon religion teaches their members to have a one year supply of food. The Amish and Mennonites still are actively involved in all of their food, from starting their plants with a seed, growing and preserving their harvest, and then drying and saving seed for the next growing season. I admire these religions that have kept the importance of having and maintaining a pantry for everyday use. They are not dependent on others to meet their basic need of food. They have established the importance of a complete food storage plan. So, what about the rest of us? Have you ever considered your own food storage plan? If not, perhaps now is the time to consider one.

I have always maintained a fully stocked pantry that would keep us well fed for a couple of weeks without having to go to the grocery store. In recent months my eyes have been opened to some very real facts as we approach the uncertainty of the computer problems that could temporarily change our way of life as the Year 2000 approaches. Did you know that your local grocery store only has a two or three day supply of food in the store? It is called the "just-in-time" inventory system. In simple words the "just-in-time" inventory only replenishes items "just when they need it." More than likely you have adapted "the buy it when I need it" theory as part of your own lifestyle - when you need it you go buy it. Many of us think that the stores will always be open and always have what we need, when we need it. There is a danger with this type of thinking. The average family has less than three to five days worth of food in their home because of our dependency on others to take care of our food supply. Our society had encouraged fast food, restaurants, deli and quick-to-fix dinners that do not require us to even have basic foods on hand. I honestly believe with the possible disruptions associated with the Year 2000, or any emergency, we need to incorporate pantry principles that would allow us to eat. Perhaps, it is time to adapt these ideas in your lifestyle to prepare your household for an emergency.

There are many factors to take into consideration as you begin to ponder your own food pantry. Every home manager reading this will have to decide what works best in their family. There are no right or wrong answers, only choices that you've already made, or ones that you may be deciding to make.

• How much space do I have for my pantry? Is there space in my kitchen? Do I need to find another space, like under the bed or in a closet knowing that I need to store my pantry items in temperatures less than 80°F?
  
  
• What items do I currently have? Do I have an inventory control system? What items do I need to add to have an adequate everyday pantry? What about my short and long- term pantry needs? How long should I stock-up for the future?
  
  
• Are there food items that only have one use, or can they be used in more than one recipe? Convenience foods are good to have on hand. They have allowed us quick meals in our current lifestyle, but the skill of cooking seems to be a lost art. Take some time and learn how to cook some low-cost basics. Basic foods take less space than our modern day convenience packaging. You can have variety and the nutritional value of incorporating basic foods in your diet will be an added benefit.
  
  
• Do I have a variety of canned, and dehydrated foods in my pantry, knowing that dehydrated foods take up much less space? Do I know how to incorporate them into our eating lifestyle? Do I have foods that all of my family members like? Are they nutritious?
  
  
• How much of my grocery budget is available to build my pantry in the next few weeks and months.
  
  
• Of the items that I use frequently, is there a source where it is advantageous to purchase a larger size? Does the unit price reflect a savings? If I purchase bulk items, do I have containers for the foods to be stored in? Where can I buy these containers? Are they cost-effective? Will I use the larger quantity in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale or rancid? Do I know how to properly store my food?
  
  
• Do I know that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) advises that we should include in our emergency pantries a three-day supply of foods that do not require any cooking? It should also include foods that do not increase thirst. During an emergency water may possibly be limited.
  
  
• Don't forget the special needs of the elderly, those with special diets and allergies, nursing mothers, and babies.
  
  
• The meals that you eat away from home need to be part of your food diary. It is vital that you include those meals when calculating how much and what types of food to include in your own pantry.
  
  
• Make sure you have a manual can opener and disposable eating utensils. And don't forget non-perishable foods for your pets.
  
  

I hope and pray that your own food storage needs will become a priority in your life. When you have achieved a pantry that is adequate for your needs it will take very little time to maintain it. Keep your eyes on the weekly specials and keep your pantry filled by purchasing items when they are on sale.

Your Thriving Pal, Cynthia Hillson

Cynthia Hillson, a busy mother of six, has been teaching others how to save money and time with her How to Feed Your Family and Thriving On Thrift books since 1992. Cynthia is a Food and Nutrition Master with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Cynthia's common-sense tips have helped thousands learn to trim their food budgets without sacrificing taste, nutrition or spending hours in the kitchen.
You can contact Cynthia at:
How to Feed Your Family
Cynthia Hillson
PO Box 2036
Cornelius, NC 28031
800-997-7971

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