amount of food to store

[COvigilance]

thanks for all the help guys, I assumed that the #10 can meant 10 lbs. wow was I wrong. I did the calorie calculations from the mountain house nutrition information, and there is about 2,000-2,500 calories per can. only a days worth of calories. I think I will get a few for long term storage. (there advertising says 30 year shelf life) and then go the other route you all suggested, it sems to be better cost wise. Thanks again.

[Ranger]

For me it's all on the planned bug out. I have "levels" of bug out. My level 1 is grab a bag and go, worst case scenario and I we each have 7 days of food (generally MRE's) in our pack. With rationing that could last a bit longer. My level 4 (total bug out or even bug in) is a years worth, where I move towards the bulk flour and grains and less about MRE's (but they are still part of it). I try to figure my different plans based on if I'm trying to actually get out of town or not because there is only so much you can carry in even a large SUV.

I'm generally planning on a large scale level 4 bug out and go as far as keeping some things buried in areas that I can get to easily if I cannot fit it in my car or if have to be on foot and cannot carry more than a very small supply of food with me. When you take into account the rest of what you need (like fire making, first aid, water purification, comfort, shelter, weapons and ammo) it can be quite a chore to get everything to the right ratio.

I've spent years putting together my plans and test them constantly. I often camp with my bug out gear so I can get a feel for what is not really needed or useful, what can serve a dual purpose and what I'm missing and then I scale that up for the other levels of bug out.

There are great ideas here like for how much flour is needed for so much bread. I take that concept and start at the top and say "we need X number of calories per day, put that into meals, break the meal into components, multiply by intended days" and so forth until I get the food requirements figured out. One I have that then I try to find ways of making that efficient and interesting (nobody wants to eat the same meal every day for a year but I would if I had to) and how I could fit that into my SUV.

It might just be me, but I've got some serious issues .

[vim]

Are there decent local bulk-food sources? I use Walton Feed for Internet bulk purchases spread through my family -- dried potato flakes, 50-lb bags of oats, etc. -- but close would be convenient. Though I'd pay tax, I'd save on shipping.

[earplug]

Most canned and packaged foods last for several years.
Buy what you eat now and rotate your pantry.
Were finding canned meat can be challenging to buy and enjoy.
Various types of Spam, Canned Beef, chicken, Tuna, Salmon etc.
Were learning how to work them into our current diet.
If your buying dehydrated foods your spending more and when you need them you will be jumping off into the unknown in regards to taste and diet. Your also relying on clean water.

[ChunkyMonkey]

We have tried many many freeze dried, survival food. We are sticking with japanese ramen, 10yr life time bento box, sardine and dried fruit.

Like many have mentioned here, we also have 6-12 month supply of canned goods in the pantry that are being used, rotated. One thing we learnt, stock up on things you would eat today - so it can be part of your daily meal.

[Ranger]

One thing we learnt, stock up on things you would eat today - so it can be part of your daily meal.

Hard to do that with McDonalds burgers .

[jerrymrc]

Are there decent local bulk-food sources? I use Walton Feed for Internet bulk purchases spread through my family -- dried potato flakes, 50-lb bags of oats, etc. -- but close would be convenient. Though I'd pay tax, I'd save on shipping.

Unfortunately I have not found one. I buy many items like dehydrated potatoes, gravies and many other things on my trips back to Oregon. They have a Winco foods and the closest one is in Utah. Take a look. http://www.zubon.org/log/293

If you like to pack your own it is a great place since there are many items you can buy in small amounts to try and play with.

[jerrymrc]

Hard to do that with McDonalds burgers .

They could always be canned.

[StagLefty]

Hard to do that with McDonalds burgers .

Freezer is full of 1/4 pounders vacuum sealed. They'll be worth a fortune when the SHTF.

[jerrymrc]

Freezer is full of 1/4 pounders vacuum sealed. They'll be worth a fortune when the SHTF.

Actually one could can the patties and use the army's never say die buns. I only have 4 packages of 6 buns left. Good for about 10 years or so. We opened one package on the 4 year mark and they were just fine.