The strength of the church welfare program lies in every family following the inspired direction of the church leaders to be self-sustaining through adequate preparation. God intends for his Saints to so prepare themselves "that the church [as the Lord has said] may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world." (D&C 78:14.) Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare Ye," Ensign, Jan 1974, 68

It's easy to get hung up on planning your food storage. New guidelines from Mormon church leaders recommend starting with a three-month supply of the usual foods you eat.

You can keep this SIMPLE by making a month plan on a blank calendar. Consider planning meals made with only storable foods, as grocery stores may not always be accessible in some emergencies.



A week's worth of breakfasts, including a mix of cooked and boxed cereals, fast muffins, and pancakes, can be repeated over four weeks. A week's worth of lunches, including canned and boxed pasta meals, soups, and crackers or sandwiches using canned meat fillings, can also be repeated to fill up the month.

We enjoy such a wide range of foods in everyday living. Planning for variety in food storage dinners is important to keep them interesting and appealing. Set a goal to find two week's of meals that you or your family enjoy. Multiply these by two for a month's worth. Or, for more variety, build up to three, then four weeks of meals.

Dinners can be as simple as spaghetti sauce on pasta, plain or with a can of meat or beans in place of hamburger, Hawaiian haystacks with canned chicken on rice, canned meat added to bouillon gravy and served on mashed potatoes, simple bean and/or meat soups or stews with fast biscuits, or pork 'n beans on toast.

You'll find some of your family favorite recipes can be converted to food storage by substituting canned and dried foods for fresh. A good food storage cookbook, or two, can also help with fast recipe ideas.

Include food from grains to stretch protein foods and make meals filling and delicious.

Canned and dried vegetables and fruits as side dishes provide important nutrition.

Plan snacks for important moral boosters. Desserts can be optional.

It's a good idea to plan a few meals that don't need to be cooked for some emergencies when there may not be time or electricity.

Your ultimate goal is to get a month of recipes. Spend a Family Home Evening multiplying ingredients by 3 and you've got a 3-month plan of food storage!

With a plan you can watch for sales and begin gathering your food. Any extra money that comes your way can go to acquiring food...because you know what you want to buy. It's rewarding and fun to watch food stores grow, bringing a tangible feeling of accomplishment and peace. The important thing is to BEGIN.

E-mail: foodstoragechick@gmail.com