Survival Spot has put together a list of the first one hundred items that disappear quickly during a national emergency. That might be as big as a major terrorist attack or natural disaster, or as small as a local ice storm that disrupts power for only a week. By being prepared, neither large nor small crises need to be stressed over.
Get Prepared – How to Store Grains
According to Surival Spot, rice, beans, and wheat are high on the list of items to disappear first. It is not a coincidence that these are three of the most valuable foods for mere survival. While you can prepare to endure an emergency with a great deal of comfort and convenience, it is important that you AT LEAST prepare some basic survival foods.
Rice Storage
Rice can be ground for flour, eaten cooked by itself, or added to anything as an extender It can be purchased in bulk at warehouse stores, such as Sam’s. It comes in 50 pound bags for around $17. But if you buy in a bag, you need to consider how you will store it for the long term. Do you have access to #10 cans, with lids and a machine to seal it? Do you have access to mylar bags and a sealer? If so, and if you have the time, this is the least expensive way to buy rice.
If you want your rice already prepared for long term storage, you should look at buckets. Thrive has 42 pound buckets of rice for around $49. Prepper Kitchen is about the same at $42. Smaller, more manageable #10 cans are also available, but the best resource for rice is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A case of 6 #10 cans only costs $30 and the work is all done for you.
How to Store Beans
Pinto beans are the most common bean for long term storage, although there is a vast variety of beans. Beans can be sprouted, cooked, or ground for a flour. They can also be planted should you need to replenish your supply.
Pinto beans can be purchased at a warehouse store, such as Sam’s, for about $38 for 50 pounds. But they come in a bag, and you need to consider how you will store it for the long term. Much like the rice, ask yourself – Do you have access to #10 cans, with lids and a machine to seal it? Do you have access to mylar bags and a sealer? If so, and if you have the time, this is the least expensive way to buy beans.
Thrive beans run about $89 for a 39 pound bucket. A bucket of pinto beans from Prepper Kitchen will run around $66 for 42 pounds. If a bucket is just too much for your small family, wheat can be purchased in #10 cans that hold around 5 pounds. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has cases of six #10 cans for $41!
Wheat Stores
Wheat is very versatile and highly nutritious. It can be chewed as is . . . you will at least survive. It can be sprouted and used for fresh greens. It can be cracked, baked, or ground for a variety of breads and flours. It can be planted to re-establish your supply, should the disaster last that long. (Gee I hope not . . . ) It is recommended to store 200 pounds per person for one year.
You can purchase wheat in 50 pound bags, but you need to consider how you will store it for the long term. Once more – Do you have access to #10 cans, with lids and a machine to seal it? Do you have access to mylar bags and a sealer? If so, and if you have the time, this is the least expensive way to buy wheat.
If you want your wheat already prepared for the long term, you should look at buckets. A Thrive bucket of hard red wheat holds 42 pounds and costs around $49. A similar sized bucket from Prepper Kitchen is similarly priced. Buckets can be opened and resealed in between uses. If a bucket is just too much for your small family, wheat can be purchased in #10 cans that hold around 5 pounds. The least expensive resource for wheat in these smaller cans is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One case of six #10 cans is only $28! You can’t go wrong!