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1. PROVIDING FOR FOOD
 Why should I keep additional food in reserve?
As a pandemic takes hold, food supplies will be severely
reduced as there will be a surge of demand due to stockpiling
and hoarding. As conditions progress, supplies to grocery stores
and pharmacies will be impeded due to problems with vendors
and distributors.
Importantly, conditions may warrant that you do not
venture out, or you may desire to
limit exposure, or you or a family member might become ill. Under
those circumstances, you will be very thankful to have prepared!
 How often do you shop?
Many individuals and families typically shop for a week or
two or longer. It is suggested that you modify your shopping
habits to keep a constant food supply in reserve. This is similar
to keeping the gas-tank in your car about 1/3 to ½ full,
at least, rather than completely running
out before a refill. In addition, we recommend reserving food in your pantry
or basement, for example, that allows up to 4 weeks, even
longer. Should it happen, a pandemic will last for months. The
more you have on reserve, the less likely you will run out or be without.
“As you stock food, take into account your family’s
unique needs and tastes. Familiar foods are important.
They lift morale and give a feeling of security in times
of stress. Try to include foods that they will enjoy and
that are also high in calories and nutrition. Foods that
require no refrigeration, water, special preparation, or
cooking are best.” (Food and Water in an Emergency – FEMA
and Red Cross)
How Much Do I Need?
 Keep 4 weeks of food in reserve at all times
During non-pandemic conditions, it is suggested you have
at least 3 days of food always on hand, especially for adverse
weather conditions, winter storms, and power outages. But,
during our current pandemic alert conditions, we
advise having at least 4 weeks of food provisions in reserve,
for the reasons mentioned above. The quantity of food recommended
will vary from one household to another depending on family size and particular
needs—including those of infants, children, elderly, and others with
dietary constraints.
In calculating how much to buy there are some easy steps:
The Rule of Ten – for
those of you who need a simple way to start, we suggest you
buy ten of each item on our basic staples list, within reason.
This is based on a family of four for a four week supply. And,
you can adjust up or down accordingly.
 Once you start shopping and putting food items into your
reserve, you will start to get a feel of what is enough, and
importantly what is missing. Major grocery chains often have
weekly circulars that include buying in quantities of 10, as
they too, are trying to make it easy for you. Consider buying
10 cans of prepared soup, for example, that you can eat cold
if necessary, as a starting place. Buy what you know you like,
and can cycle out of your reserve, and ultimately use. Soups,
as many canned items, typically have a “use by” rating
lasting well over a year.
Disaster Supplies and Preparedness Calendar – once
you start acquiring food reserves and other preparedness items
mentioned in the following sections, you'll start to think
about adding to your reserves on a more regular basis, perhaps
weekly. You'll also be able to better manage cycling out older
items for daily use. Click here for an example of "the first
three weeks of the Family Disaster Supplies & Preparedness
Calendar," and note the links to a complete "calendar."
Food Storage Calculator – there
is a web site that has a food calculator based on the size,
age and gender of your family. The web site is www.providentliving.org.
This site has a great deal of information about emergency food
storage.
 Please see our “Suggested Foods to Buy” list,
below. Print it out and take it to the store with you. Remember,
having some extra supplies in reserve is better than none.
So, to start, do not be concerned about quantity. Just start
the process!
Storing Food Supplies
 Keep extra food (reserves) in your pantry, basement, garage,
or other storage space where you won’t be tempted to
draw upon it. Keep it dry, cool, and in a dark place, if
possible- Consider using large plastic see-through storage containers
obtainable from discount stores. Each can hold a large quantity
of packaged foods; can be stacked; and can keep items fairly
well protected.
- Be aware of “use by” dates, and cycle items
to your regular daily-use foods, but be sure to buy replacements
accordingly.
- In time, you will get a good sense of what foods to acquire,
how long to keep them, and how much to have in reserve to
keep the 4 week reserve levels appropriate for you and your
family.
Heater Meals/MRE’S
-
 Heater Meals and MRE’S (Meals
Ready to Eat) are two additional options for storing meals.
- Heater Meals are self-heating
meals that have a shelf life of approximately two years.
- MRE’S, in contrast, are
used in the military, do not self heat but can be heated
if hot water is available, have a longer shelf life and are
less expensive than Heater Meals.
- Heater Meals are approximately $5 each; MRE’S are
approximately $3 each.
For more info see: www.Heatermeals.com
For further information on Food and Water in an emergency
see: http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A5055.pdf
Click here for
starting place: “Suggested
Foods to buy.” Modify this list accordingly.
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