Ready, Set, Go! - 24 Weeks of Crisis Supply Procurement

Each Sunday for the next 24 weeks I will provide you with a list of items to acquire for your household’s Crisis (emergency) Kit.

To get started:

• Check your house for supplies that you already have on hand
• Decide where you will store your supplies
• Meet with your household to discuss your procurement and crisis plans
• Explain how to prepare and when and how to respond
• Discuss what to do if you need to evacuate
• Discuss and plan for vacations and outings that will allow you to learn a new skill like: milking a cow or goat; making cheese; map and compass; spinning and weaving; trapping and snares, soap & candle making and the like.
• Have drills and practice your plan (at least once every 3 months)

Supplies may be stored all together in a large plastic garbage can or food may be kept on kitchen shelves. Remember to rotate your food storage supplies and change out your water storage every six months.

Select foods based on your household’s usual meals, needs and preferences. If your household eats a lot of tuna salad, think what you need to make this: Mayo, onion, celery, etc. Pick low-salt, water-packed varieties when possible. Canned meats may include tuna, chicken, raviolis, chili, stew, Spam, corned beef and the like.

For condiments think dehydrated and freeze dried like: milk, sour cream, cheese, peanut butter, mayo, eggs, gravy mix, etc. And don’t forget your spices!

Note: One small can of unsweetened evaporated milk to one quart of powdered milk will produce a quart of milk with the texture and taste of 2% milk. Gelatin, unflavored and un-colored can be used in recipes in place of eggs.

If you have extra funds available each week, use it to get another of your specialty items like dehydrated meats, vegetables and fruits; compass, Leatherman Tool, GI can opener, gardening stuff and the like. If you can or dehydrate your own items – all the better!

Note: Avoid getting all “mixed” fruits, vegetables and meat entrées – these are less flexible and you will get bored with them. It is better to get single items that let you make your own soups, stews, goulashes and treats.

The Week 1 list will be posted tomorrow. The time is now!

Keep On Preppin’

From a 50 Something, soon to be rural homesteading, Prepper ;-}