(This essay was originally published 21 May 2015. The principles are the same and the photos still applicable. The current prices will be even more than those written below. The $200 to $250 is now more like $325 for a “bare bones” storage plan which also means those that aren’t “bare bones” are going to be considerably higher, too.)
A friend recently posted a link on Facebook to a blog titled “A Famine Menu – A Bare-Bones Food Storage Plan.” I was interested to see what it said. See The Survival Mom.
That “bare-bones” plan is actually pretty good compared to other long-term storage recommendations. It has some “skin” on it. The plan has jam and spaghetti sauce, yeast and canned meats, potato flakes and peanut butter.
Those of you familiar with the long-term food storage recommendations made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will recognize that there are plans that are even more “bare-bones.” They really are just affordable survival food storage plans. See “Basic Food Storage“.
To see just how “bare-bones” one of these recommended plans is, take a look at the pictures below. Comparatively, it takes a minimum of space. It does provide 2400 calories per day but how long do you think you would want to survive on a loaf of bread and a cup of cooked beans most days? You could change things up with sprouts and flat bread and a few other things but this really is a “famine menu” for survival purposes.
I’ve heard many complaints about the long-term storage recommendations – it’s so much, I don’t have room, it costs so much, I don’t like that kind of food. Though, if you want a long-term, inexpensive, versatile food storage, this is what you will want to have. Making it more than just a “famine menu” is up to you. You can start by storing a variety of grains and not just wheat.
I encourage you to have a “bare-bones” food storage plan but to put some “skin” and “muscle” on it, too, so that your food storage can be more healthy and appealing and part of a way of life (which is a whole other topic!).
P. S. I have attached the document these photos came from. It is not my document but I’m sure it can be shared. The individual who put this together lives in another part of the country from me so her resources for food storage are different from mine. I also believe you can do it for less than is listed. At that time (2009) I could purchase what is in the photos for $200 to $250 and I don’t live in an area that has food storage stores.
(These are the photos contained in the document referred to above.)
