Food Storage Sharing

[Royalohh]

I hope I am not bringing up something that has already been talked about but I searched and didnt see anything.

I was out in my yard watching a big storm roll over when my neighbor came over to talk to me. I have talked to him a little about the church and his daughter goes with mine to Young women most weeks and to church with us some Sunday's. Anyway the topic came up about food storage and he asked if we (my wife and I ) did that to which I replied yes and that we were always working on it and how we tried to rotate it and so on. Well I had a feeling there was something he wanted to ask so I just let him go on and talk then he told me a story about when his father helped a LDS Family move into his neighborhood and they had all this food and he asked them about it they told him he then asked the kicker. Well if something bad happened would you share your food with me and my family. The LDS man answered him no I wont and my neighbors father never had anything to do with him again. So my neighbor asked me the same question, well I figure when it comes down to it I dont think I would be able to not share but I have no idea how bad it will get although I can guess and if it gets that bad I might be hard pressed to share food with blood relatives........ Anyway I thought I would like to hear others thoughts and feelings on the matter. so what do you think?

[Traveler]

I hope I am not bringing up something that has already been talked about but I searched and didnt see anything.

I was out in my yard watching a big storm roll over when my neighbor came over to talk to me. I have talked to him a little about the church and his daughter goes with mine to Young women most weeks and to church with us some Sunday's. Anyway the topic came up about food storage and he asked if we (my wife and I ) did that to which I replied yes and that we were always working on it and how we tried to rotate it and so on. Well I had a feeling there was something he wanted to ask so I just let him go on and talk then he told me a story about when his father helped a LDS Family move into his neighborhood and they had all this food and he asked them about it they told him he then asked the kicker. Well if something bad happened would you share your food with me and my family. The LDS man answered him no I wont and my neighbors father never had anything to do with him again. So my neighbor asked me the same question, well I figure when it comes down to it I dont think I would be able to not share but I have no idea how bad it will get although I can guess and if it gets that bad I might be hard pressed to share food with blood relatives........ Anyway I thought I would like to hear others thoughts and feelings on the matter. so what do you think?

There are several bad things that can happen for us to need our food storage. It could be that we lose our job for exampel. Or there could be a plauge that if someone went among the public for the space of a year or so they could catch the plauge. In the case of the plauge it would be important to avoid others. If you neighbor wanted you to provide them with food that would endanger your family and at the same time they would be able to obtain food from others and only endanger themself.

In the case of general shortage your neighbor ought to be able to purchase food from you - or if they had no means they should be able to survive on your kindness.

Hope this helpls

The Traveler

[Royalohh]

Not really looknig for advise just wondering what others thoughts are on the subject of your food storage and the whole sharing with others.

[Guest Monica]

It's always good to share with those in need. I would freely share with my neighbors and not worry about having enough. If need be God would multiply whatever resources we have and we would be able to testify of the miracle to them and show them the mercy of God. Hopefully this would be a great time for them to recieve the gospel.

We have many storms here and are blessed to have a recreational vehicle. So before any storm we tell neighbors that we have propane, water, and gasoline stocked in our camper should they need a kitchen to warm a bottle for the baby on, or if have any other need we are at their service. Our neighbors as well are blessings and they often share their tools, give us some of their crops, and watch over our home when we are away.

Remember, before the ambulance, fire truck, or the police arrive at your home for an emergency, your neighbor is on the scene.

[BenRaines]

From what I have read if we do our part the Lord will do the rest. Have the year storage and you should be able to care for yours and those in need.

Plus have firearms to protect yours from looting. :)

Ben

[Royalohh]

Thats funny, my wife and I were talking about this again last night and were discussing how all we really need to do is make sure we have what we are asked to have, and that we know we would help anyone we could and that if we did we would be provided for. We also discussed protection and how far we would go to protect what we have. I just know that a person wouldnt want to come sneeking into my home especially in times of desperation I tend to be a bit jumpy and usually hit what im aiming at. I have talked with my neighbor and am acutally inviting him to church and to talk with the missionaries and hes interested in the whole food storage thing so I am going to work with him on starting one of his own.

I Know it is all a personal choice if we do or dont want to share but I still would like to hear others thoughts on it.

[pushka]

I do think that the LDS food storage programme is a great idea. I do believe that it is something that could be potentially beneficial to all members of a local community, whether or not they chose to join the LDS church, and would be worth promoting.

I think that it would be natural to consider sharing your food with neighbours in need and it would be very difficult for a 'humane' person to horde their stock for themselves and close family only if they saw others suffering from need, but it is a great idea to encourage others to start their own storage programme.

[Jason]

Royal,

I would follow the lead of the LDS church, and share what you have with everyone you can. When there's a natural disaster, does the LDS church discriminate between member and non-member? No, they don't. If the world food supplies ended tomorrow, the LDS church can take care of around 4 million people indefinitely. Do you think they'll say to the non-mormon "too bad you're not a member"?

No way.

Now think of yourself as the church. Are you just going to take care of your own kids, or help your neighbors? What would the good samaritan do?

Also, keep in mind that if the food supplies of the world ended forever, and everyone's going to starve sooner or later, is it worth it to keep yourself alive a couple of months longer by not sharing? I'd rather have friends and family around for just a few months all together, instead of just me and the kids for 12 mos.

What's the point of that?

[shanstress70]

Well, here I go being the 'baddy' again, but if we were in dire straits and only had enough supplies to last for a given amount of time, my family comes first. Sorry, you guys can debate this all day, but if it ever comes down to whether you give this bit of food to your child or your neighbor, I'm pretty sure you'd choose your child... at least I hope so!

Now if I had a surplus, you better believe I would share with my nieghbor. But sorry, my child has top priority as far as I'm concerned.

[BenRaines]

Wow here I am saying it again. I agree with Jason. Not often I do but respect his opinion.

If it was neighbors starve today and we starve next week because there is not food. I would do without for me. My family would be fed and those near me. Neighbors included, mostly the children. If it is the end of food, I don't believe that will happen but if it is then it is the end of this mortality anyway. So what. My storage includes seeds and other things. Don't eat the planting seeds. Rationing can make food last a whole lot longer than we are used to. I can't remember the last time I went to bed hungry. Even on Fast Sundays.

With a legitimate food storage you can get by for much longer than one year if you use the standard one year storage amounts.

One of the places I buy food storage items is www.beprepared.com

Happy storing.

Ben

[Dror]

Quite true that storage may be used for various purposes, such as when unemployed. In the case of a natural disaster, when large numbers of people are in need, it could get difficult. I mean, suppose I have enough for my family, but half the other families in the neighborhood come knocking at the door, too? If caring for the neighbors means neglecting my family... I don't know. However, as a general principle, I think it is good and proper to share as much with others as we can.

BTW, does everyone have a year's supply of toilet paper, too? Even if we're eating--ahem, especially if we're eating!!--things could get uncomfortable without t.p.!

Dror

[Guest MrsS]

BTW, does everyone have a year's supply of toilet paper, too? Even if we're eating--ahem, especially if we're eating!!--things could get uncomfortable without t.p.! Dror

Its not only food we should be storing, it is nearly everything! TPaper, bath soap, laundry soap, medicines, first aid kits, clothes, fabric to make clothes, etc. Check out providentliving.org .

I store foods that can be cooked over an open fire, because I really believe that we should be prepared to be without electricity. So all of you who have bread making machines, electric woks, electric can openers, crock pots, electric roasters, electric food processors and mixers. They won't be very much use to you when there is no electricity.

I am dehydrating plenty of vegetables too ~ can add them to stews, soups,etc. They last far longer than frozen, take up less space than canned. I buy frozen vegetables when they are really cheap, then thaw them under cold running water. Drain, pat as dry as I can, then dehydrate them. When they are done, I place 1/4 cup portions into the vacuum sealer.

For stew and soups, I mix up the vegies into one portion.

You can do frozen potatoes this way too. The cubed style. Or the shredded, just use netting when you do the shredded spuds.

[pushka]

Some great ideas there, especially the T.P. Dror!!! lol.

Mrs.S, I never thought about dehydrating vegetables...how do you do this exactly? Would be a great idea too!!

[BenRaines]

I buy the vegtables already dehydrated professionally. For near future use we have dehydrated before. It is good food. Bell Peppers, onions, tomato. But honestly it is much easier and in the long run if using an electric dehydrator probably less expensive.

I have plenty of dutch ovens for cooking my food storage over an open flame. Also have stored about 300 lbs. of Kingsford briquets.

Ben

[Guest MrsS]

Some great ideas there, especially the T.P. Dror!!! lol.

Mrs.S, I never thought about dehydrating vegetables...how do you do this exactly? Would be a great idea too!!

By buying the frozen vegetables you don't have to blanch the vegetables first ~ that is already done. Just "thaw" them by running under cold running water. Then drain, pat dry. I didn't get too carried away with the drying - just made sure they weren't dripping wet.

I have a Harvester dehydrater and one 16 oz. package of frozen vegies fit one tray. You want them to be a single layer on the tray. I found that for the peas (I only like the Petit Pois peas) I needed to use netting. You get that at the fabric center ~ I also found that for the starchy foods: Potatoes, peas,corn, etc. it was smart to very lightly spray the trays with olive oil. Very lightly! Don't have a spray. Then take a paper towel with a smidgeon of olive oil and wipe down your trays.

The amount of electricity it uses is nominal ~ less than your oven uses, less than the toaster oven or microwave even.

Just make sure all of the vegetables are dry ~ crispy. Then either store them in airtight containers, or sealer bags. I prefer the sealer bags, by portions.

Word of CAUTION: When doing onions, do them outside!!! The fumes nearly killed us. I put the machine in a small shed that was attached to the house. We could still smell the onions, but at least we weren't knocked out by the fumes. The fumes did kill all the bugs in the shed, at the time our area was besieged by japanese lady bugs, and paper wasps, and it killed some mice!

I also did green, red, yellow & orange peppers. Clean, slice & dice. Same with mushrooms. If your grocery sells the Ugly Vegetables (those that are getting a bit wrinkly, but are still edible) at discount, buy them up and that same day, dehrydrate them!

In my earlier post I said that I packaged the vegies into 1/4 cup portions. I really can't remember what size portions I did. It makes sense to package them up according to the size you need for meals. For just my husband and I, then 1/2 of a bag would work. For putting some in stews, soups ~ then I would do a tablespoon or two size.

To reconstitute for a meal, soak in luke warm water to cover. Add water if needed, until they are no longer hard, then cook.

To add to soups: If you are cooking the soup/stew from scratch, then add an additional 1/2 cup of liquid or so , then add the vegies you want. They will reconstitute as the soup/stew cooks. I like to add mixed vegies to canned vegetable soup, To two tablespoons of dehydrated vegies, add about 1/4 cup broth (chicken, vegetable or beef), and let simmer until the vegetables are soft and cooked.

Want vegetables in your Top Ramen? Rehydrate vegetables in broth, then cook up the Ramen, add vegies and finish cooking. Want vegies in an omelette? Rehydrate, add to omelette.

I prefer to rehydrate the mushrooms and vegies in broth ~ to complement whatever they are going into.

The last time I dehydrated vegies, was three years ago. Vegies were on sale for 50 cents a 16 oz. bag. I bought $30.00 worth of them ~ peas, carrots, corn, kitchen cut green beans, mixed vegetables, broccoli cuts and even spinach. I still have some left. I am keeping my eye out for a good sale on the vegies. Plus I have to replace my vacuum sealer machine. Mine died when I was sealing up fresh salmon.

The spinach turned into powder! I did it on the fruit leather tray. BUT I loved it. Added it to soups, gravys, omelettes, pesto sauces. I even like it sprinkled on cottage cheese! Mixed in sour cream or cream cheese.

[pushka]

Thanks for that extensive advice MrsS!

It certainly makes sense to start collecting/preparing the veg and other food stuffs and household items now, in the event of any kind of emergency...

Thanks to everyone else for their ideas too..

[Lindy]

I love this thread!!!! why did it take me soooo long to finally read it?

One thing that I really liked was, I think it was Monica, who said something about warming up baby bottles for neighbors.... I never ever even thought about that.... that was a great idea! The children have to be taken care of...no matter who has to do it.

And I am going to be one of those who also share with others..... I do like the idea of rationing... and Ben... I love the idea of firearms to prevent looters.... alas, my son took my shotgun... guess I'll have to put that on my shopping list for next week

[shanstress70]

You guys can say all day that you will share with your neighbors. But it won't just be a couple of people that you'll be sharing with. Word will get out that you have supplies and who knows how many people will be knocking at your door? Your 1 year's worth will turn into weeks.

Yes, I would do without to share food with children, but what about when my stuff runs out and my child will do without? It's easy to type things on a MB, but when (if) it comes down to it, we'll see...

[pushka]

Shanstress I agree with your realistic view of things. There is no real way of telling what anybody would do in the eventuality of a disaster...obviously the circumstances of the disaster would guide whatever way anybody could react, regardless of whatever they wish to do...

Maybe it would be a good idea to promote the idea of stocking up on food and household items etc. amongst community groups, without scaring them too much about 'the end of the world' drawing nigh or anything too disastrous occurring, then at least most people may have their own stocks in the event of something occurring?

[shanstress70]

I would like to say that I totally agree with the idea of food storage, as well as other supplies. I think this is a great idea, and it's wonderful that the church encourages their members to do this.

[Guest MrsS]

The Church not only teaches and encourages the membership to have a 1 to 2 year supply of food, etc. We are also educating the communities where we live about it too.

1 years food/supplies Preparedness is not just for LDS, it is for everyone. Unfortunately I deleted the LDS News from my email, so I can't reference the article about how one of the Stakes was having an Emergency Preparedness Program and had invited their entire community to it.

When my Relief Society gave out a list on how to build your years supply on $5.00 a week, I made copies and gave them to my co-workers. Just today for our combined Relief Society and Priesthood class's we had a lesson on emergency disaster preparedness. That goes hand in hand with the food/supplies storage. We were given a booklet that was put together by our Ward. I am going to take that to work, talk about it to my co-workers, and if they want a copy, I am going to get them one.

To be honest with you, I will share my food storage with my neighbors. Christ fed the multitudes with a few fish and loaves of bread ~ that tells me, that when I treat my neighbors in a Christ-like way ~ then Heavenly Father will provide. "I was hungry and ye gave me meat; I was a stranger and ye took me in. When you do it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me, Matt. 25: 35-40. "

[Lindy]

Shan~Pushka.....

I think your both right.... it is easy to say what we would do and what we may actually do in certain situations.

I hope we all remember what we would LIKE to do... and try to apply that when/if the need arises.

[pushka]

Well said Lindy, and MrsS, that method you're employing is just the sort of thing that I was suggesting ought to be encouraged in all communities...Well Done!! :)

[Royalohh]

Thanks for everyone sharing Ideas and thoughts. I think the getting the community informed and involved is a great idea too. I can only hope the way I think I will act is actually the way I will if it ever comes to the point of having to rely on food storage and things are just that bad.

[Char]

Before I became LDS 5 years ago this whole food storage thing was very curious. When I was 20 (47 now) I was invited by my boss, who was caretaking her father and step-mother's house, to go look at their food storage. Neither of us was LDS and everything was such a mystery. She took me to a room somewhere in the middle of the house (pretty big house) and there it was......it looked like a shrine to gold, metal cans. One stacked on top of each other. Only one light hung from a cord in the middle of the room illuminating what sorta looked like a pyramid in the center of the room. I didn't even notice what else was in the room...the whole focus was those cans. I wondered what was in them. I'd never seen anything like it.

In the old testament, when Elijah is told to go to Zarephath, it gives an interesting perspective on the sharing concept. Quick overview here: Elijah asks a widow, who has a son at home with her whom she must provide for, for water and a piece of bread. Well, her cupboards are bare all except for just a little bit of oil and flour...enough to make she and her son their last meal. He tells her to prepare a cake for him with all she has left, and the Lord has promised to provide her with an unending supply of oil and flour until this drought they're having ends and it rains again.

She shared with a stranger, and put his needs before her son's and her own. Maybe she thought, 'what have I got to lose?'

Thought this went along well with your topic, Royal.