In 2007, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were encouraged to have a 3-month supply of food that was part of their normal, daily diet. The pamphlet Prepare Every Needful Thing: Family Home Storage says: “Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.”
There are many who are concerned about storing a 3-month supply of canned food thinking that they are storing a nutritionally inadequate supply of food. Several respected universities have studied this issue. “A study conducted by the University of California – Davis found that fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables each contain important nutrients and contribute to a healthy diet and exclusively recommending one form of fruits or vegetables over another ignores the benefits that each form provides. Results of the study also showed that by the time food is consumed, fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables may be nutritionally similar.” Canned food is a good and nutritious option, especially in the winter. Read more about the value of canned food on the Canned Food Alliance website www.mealtime.org.
