1. Grocery stores – Take advantage of sales to stock up on foods for both a three-month supply and long-term storage.
2. Wholesale clubs – Shop for bulk purchases of foods for a three-month supply and long-term storage.
3. Whole foods stores and markets – These stores usually have bulk bins for bulk purchases of a variety of short and long-term foods.
4. Home Storage Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Most stocked items are packaged in #10 cans for long-term storage. Bags of wheat are also available. Most items are also available from the Church’s online store.
5. Food co-ops – Individuals may join a co-op for a fee and some shared labor to be able to buy items at a lower price.
6. Farmer’s co-ops – Co-ops will probably be food specific such as grains, beans, or milk.
7. Restaurant suppliers – Suppliers may have a minimum order requirement and a delivery fee and may require that orders be placed through a business.
8. Amish and Mennonite stores – A good source for bulk grains, beans, and other items as well as pre-packaged smaller containers of the same foods.
9. Online/mail order – Web sites may be found by searching for “food storage,” “preparedness,” or by individual food name. Be sure to compare shipping prices. This is one of the best sources for hard-to-find items.
10. Group orders by mail or online – Large orders decrease prices and shipping costs.
11. Farmer’s markets – Markets are a seasonal source for bulk fresh produce to can and dehydrate.
12. U-pick farms and orchards – Farms are a seasonal source for bulk fresh produce to can and dehydrate.
13. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) – CSA members buy a share of a farm’s production and receive regular distributions of the harvest.
14. Your own property – Grow/raise vegetable and herb gardens, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and vines, grapevines, wild edibles, poultry, and animals.