MONTHLY PREPARATION GOALS
JANUARY GOAL
: Take inventory of basic food storage and supplies. Develop and commit to a family preparedness plan.FEBRUARY-MARCH GOAL: Obtain a basic year's supply of food. Create a focused food schedule.
APRIL-MAY GOAL: Store a two-week supply of water for the family.
JUNE-JULY GOAL: Store sources of light and heat, including an adequate supply of cooking fuel, firewood and coal.
AUGUST GOAL: Learn how to turn off utilities. Plan what to do in case of a fire or earthquake.
SEPTEMBER GOAL: Assemble or replenish the family's first aid supplies. Remember to provide for the special medical needs of family members.
OCTOBER GOAL: Store basic sanitation supplies.
NOVEMBER GOAL: Obtain a battery or hand crank radio.
DECEMBER GOAL: Obtain containers for 72 hour kits.
52 WEEK ACQUISITION PLAN TO ACQUIRE ONE YEAR'S STORAGE
(Content provided by: Mary Catherine ("Cathy") Miller)
January
Week 1. Grain 45-50 lbs. Week 2. Canned meats: beef, turkey, chicken, tuna Week 3. Baking supplies: yeast, baking soda, baking powder Week 4. Vegetables: spaghetti sauce, salsa, other tomato products
Shelf Life for January's storage items:
===================================
wheat (5 1/2 years without oxygen absorbers, indefinitely with oxygen absorbers)
canned meats (12 months unopened; 1 -2 months opened, refrigerated)
yeast (expiration date on package)
baking soda (24 months)
baking powder (18 months unopened)
tomato sauce (12 months unopened; 3 days opened, refrigerated)
pasta sauce (24 months unopened; 2 weeks opened, refrigerated)
canned tomatoes (30+ months unopened; 2 - 3 days opened, refrigerated)
canned vegetables (24 - 48 months unopened)
February
Week 1. Sugar-granulated, brown, powdered 50 lbs. Week 2. Canned/bottled fruits Week 3. Salt-5 lbs. Week 4. Water purification tablets/bleach - learn to use the method stored Shelf Life for February's storage items: =================================== Honey, Salt and Sugar - These should keep indefinitely if stored free of moisture. Watch out for additives in the honey. It is possible to buy honey with water and sugar added. This honey generally doesn't crystallize like pure 100% honey does when stored for a long time. If there are additives, there is no saying how long it will last. Dehydrated Fruit - Hermetically sealed in the absence of oxygen, plan on a storage life of 5 years at a stable temperature of 70 degrees F. They should keep proportionately longer if stored at cooler temperatures. ( Storage times per Walton Feed http://waltonfeed.com/ ) Canned Fruits - 24 months in the original container at 70 degrees F. in a dry basement.
March
Week 1. Milk-dry/canned (17 lbs. adult/75 lbs. child) Week 2. Canned/bottled fruits Week 3. Sugar-syrups 12 lbs. Week 4. Powdered eggs or egg substitute (necessary for most baking) Shelf Life for March's Month's storage items: ====================================== Milk, Canned Condensed or Evaporated - 24 to 36 months Milk, Powdered (Instant Non-fat) - 6 months Milk, Powdered (Non-Instant) - 24 to 48 months Milk, Morning Moo brand powdered - 5 years in original bag (7 years in bucket) Eggs, dehydrated or freeze-dried powdered - 60 to 96 months Gelatin (Egg substitute) - 18 months Honey - 12 to 24 months Jams & Jellies - 12 months Molasses - 12+ months Sugar, Brown - 18 months Sugar, Confectioners - 24+ months Sugar, Granulated - 24+ months Syrups - 12 months Fruit, Canned - 12 months Fruit, Dried - 6 months
April
Week 1. Grain-dehydrated potatoes or other potato items 50 lbs. Week 2. Juice Week 3. Oil-vegetable oil or shortening 20 lbs. Week 4. Light source (batteries/flashlights, candles/matches, lanterns, etc.) Shelf Life for April's Month's storage items: ====================================== The soft grains (Barley, Oat Groats, Rolled Oats, Quinoa, Rye) will keep for 8 years at room temperature sealed without oxygen. The hard grains (Buckwheat, Corn, Flax, Kamut, Millet, Wheat, Spelt, Triticale) will keep 10 to 12 years or more at room temperature sealed without oxygen. Dehydrated vegetables will also keep 8 to 10 years under the same circumstances. - from http://waltonfeed.com/grain/life.html Fruit juices (canned) keep 18 to 36 months in a cool, dry place. Salad oils keep 6 to 9 months.
May
Week 1. Legumes - beans 30 lbs. Week 2. Soup - dry mixes or canned Week 3. Spices, herbs, seasoning, vinegars Week 4. First aid supplies - basic kit or expand what you have Shelf Life for May's Month's storage items: ====================================== Peas & Beans, dry - 24 months Bouillon - 24 months Keep dry and covered. Soup Mix - 12 months Spices & Herbs, whole - 12-24 months Spices & Herbs, ground - 6 months Store spices & herbs in airtight container in dry place away from sunlight and heat. Check aroma - replace if faded. Whole cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks maintain quality beyond 24 months.
June
Week 1. Grain - pasta 50 lbs. Week 2. Pudding mixes Week 3. Gelatin mixes - count toward sugar Week 4. Emergency cooking equipment -- barbecue, propane stove, firewood Shelf Life for June's Month's storage items: ====================================== Pasta – 2 to 3 years Pudding Mixes – 1 year Gelatin Mixes – 18 months Rice/Pasta Mixes – 6 months
July
Week 1. Milk - dry/canned (add what amount you are still missing) Week 2. Jams/jellies - 20 lbs. Week 3. Vegetables - canned Week 4. Personal essentials - hygiene, feminine, baby needs Shelf Life for July's Month's storage items: ====================================== Milk, non-instant powdered 24 – 48 months Milk, evaporated canned – 24 – 36 months Milk, sweetened condensed – 24 – 36 months Corn, canned – 24 – 36 months Tomatoes, canned – 36 months Jellies, Jams – 12 months
August
Week 1. Grain - oats or rice 50 lbs. Week 2. Nuts - dry roasted keep best Week 3. Canned meats Week 4. Medicinal supplies - basic meds and prescriptions Shelf Life for August's Month's storage items: ====================================== Oats – 24 to 60 months Oats, rolled – 12 months Oatmeal – 12 months Rice, white – 24 to 48 months Rice, wild – 24 to 36 months Rice, brown – 1 to 6 months Rice, flavored or herb mixes – 6 months Rice flour – 1 to 2 months Minute Rice – 18 months Nuts in the shell – 24 months Nutmeats in vacuum can – 3 months Peanuts – 24 to 36 months Peanut Butter – 6 to 24 months Canned Meat: Beef, canned (in chunks with natural juices) – 30 months Chicken Breast, canned – 36 months Chili, canned – indefinitely Dried Beef, canned - indefinitely Fish, canned – 18 months Ham Chunks, canned - indefinitely Spam, canned - indefinitely Tuna & Seafood, canned – 48 to 60 months Vienna Sausage, canned – 24 months Other canned meat or chicken – 36 months
September
Week 1. Sugar - honey 20 lbs. Week 2. Vitamins/mineral supplements Week 3. Dry fruit - raisins, leather, chips, dehydrated Week 4. Detergents/cleansers Shelf Life for September's Month's storage items: ====================================== Dehydrated fruits - 8 months Dehydrated fruit juices - 12 months Jams & jellies - 18 months Honey will keep indefinitely if stored in an airtight container at room temperature
October
Week 1. Grain - flour 50 lbs. Week 2. Oil - peanut butter, mayonnaise, butter powder - 15 lbs. Week 3. Baking extras - cocoa, coconut, chocolate chips, nuts Week 4. Emergency sewing supplies Shelf Life for October's Month's storage items: ====================================== Wheat (5 1/2 years without oxygen absorbers, indefinitely with oxygen absorbers) The soft grains (Barley, Oat Groats, Rolled Oats, Quinoa, Rye) will keep for 8 years at room temperature sealed without oxygen. The hard grains (Buckwheat, Corn, Flax, Kamut, Millet, Wheat, Spelt, Triticale) will keep 10 to 12 years or more at room temperature sealed without oxygen. Oats – 24 to 60 months Oats, rolled – 12 months Oatmeal – 12 months Rice, white – 24 to 48 months Rice, wild – 24 to 36 months Rice, brown – 1 to 6 months Rice, flavored or herb mixes – 6 months Rice flour – 1 to 2 months Flour, whole wheat graham - 2 weeks Flour, white enriched - 12 months Cornmeal - 12 months Wheat, raw whole - 25 years or longer Nuts in the shell – 24 months Nutmeats in vacuum can – 3 months Peanuts – 24 to 36 months Peanut Butter – 6 to 24 months
November
Week 1. Grain - wheat 50 lbs. Week 2. Dry mixes - pancake, breads, cakes, cookies, other Week 3. Clothing and bedding - evaluate and update Week 4. Condiments Shelf Life for November's Month's storage items: ====================================== Wheat (5 1/2 years without oxygen absorbers, indefinitely with oxygen absorbers) Betty Crocker Cake Mixes (8-12 months) Pillsbury Cake Mix (18 months) Frosting Mix (9 months) Corn Meal (18 months) Pancake Mix (6-9 months) Pie Crust Mix (8 months) Pudding Mixes (12 months) Most Powdered Sauces, Gravies and Soup mixes (12 months) Most Biscuit, cake, muffin, brownie mixes, pancake mixes (9 months) Most cake mixes (12 months) Angel Food Cake Mix (9 months) Jiffy Baking Mixes (12-24 months) Krusteaz (18-24 months)
December
Week 1. Legumes - 30 lbs. Week 2. Seeds/sprouting supplies Week 3. Fruits or vegetables - finish up needs Week 4. Paper supplies - toilet tissue, plastics/foils Shelf Life for December's Month's storage items: ====================================== Legumes, bottled or canned - 24 - 36 months Peas & Beans, dried - 12 months Fruits, dried - 6 months Vegetables, dried - 12 months Vegetables, dehydrated flakes - 6 months FIFTH WEEKS 1. WATER 2. WATER 3. WATER 4. WATER (14 gal per person is 1 week supply.) Shelf Life for additional storage items: ====================================== Barley, pearled 12 Months Barley, Whole 60 Months Buckwheat (kasha) 6-12 Months Corn cereal, dry Ready-to-eat 12 Months Corn Meal 18 Months Corn, Whole 60 Months Granola 1-3 Months Hominy & Hominy Grits 12 Months Oats, groats 1-3 Months Oats, rolled (oatmeal) 12 Months Oats, Whole 60 Months Popcorn, whole kernels 12-24 Months Quinoa Cereal 1-3 Months Quinoa, Whole 60 Months Rice cereal, dry Ready-to-eat 12 Months Rice, White 24 Months Rice, wild 24-36 Months Rice, brown 1-3 Months Rice, Minute (Kraft Foods) 18mo. Rye 60 Months Triticale 60 Months Wheat, shredded, dry Ready-to-eat 12 Months Gelatin 18 Months Jell-o 24 mo. Kraft Foods Olive Oil 24 Months