food question from a newb

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by maxpower, Jan 26, 2009.


  1. maxpower

    maxpower Monkey++

    I am very new to any type of survival networks or posting sites.
    I am sure that you guys get this alot but given the state of the economy as of late I am begining to explore the idea of preparing for the worst.
    In my searches I have run into a pile of different sites and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for decent places that sell mre's or other types of food?
    Or any sites that have survival checklists or the like?
    Thank you in advance.
     
  2. RouteClearance

    RouteClearance Monkey+++

    First Off wecome to the monkey.

    Now then, forget about the overpriced MRE's and other types of socalled "Survival Foods".

    What you want to stock up on for a food supply is "Dry Bulk" types of staples, ie, wheat, beans, rice, and so on. These can be purchased at your local feed and seed, Sam's Club, Costco, and even COOP's if they are in your area. Another place to look out for is a LDS Cannery if they alow non-church members.

    As for your last question, the Church of LDS again has the best type of checklist that you are seeking, but those list are a generalization and do not address what you need, and that list will have to be put together by you yourself.

    I would also recommend going through all the back post, for there is a goldmine of info here to be found. It would require a little bit of time on your part, and again welcome to the monkey.
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    +1. Published check lists cannot be taken as gospel, as everyone's needs and preps are bound to be different based completely on the prepper's favorite bugaboos, what is most feared or worrisome. Basics are covered pretty thoroughly on this forum. Half the fun of prepping is doing the research. Start with "Back to basics" You have some reading to do, I think. Welcome aboard.
    [beer]
     
  4. SLugomist

    SLugomist Monkey++

    not in any order, but.... learn to garden, learn to can food and other storage techniques, learn to fish, learn to hunt, learn to clean your game, learn the wild edibles in your area. With each learning experience you will acquire certain gear specific to each activity.

    MRE's are expensive but are a quick, easy, nutritious way to have a source of food for an emergency, especially if you have to bug out. For bugging in, Mr. Clearence is correct in dry bulk being the best option.
     
  5. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    I agree with what has been said already. I don't know your situation but if you have any place you could butcher a large animal, livestock is taking a beating at the sales from what I have heard. It doesn't take that big of a smoke house to dry a 300-400 lb steer in. Once you dry meat it will keep indefently provided it's kept cool and out of the sunlight. The fat can be redered for tallow. We put ours in canning jars when it's hot and put the lids on, they seal as the fat cools and will store for years.

    A small greenhouse will provide more food than you would believe. Heres a tread you might like to look at.

    http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7484

    Start growing a garden because just eating beans and rice gets old pretty quick ;) Even if it's just a container garden it will help extend what you have.

    OGM

    BTW Welcome to the forum. :D
     
  6. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    All of the above, and I would like to add - if you further diversify, you could always start canning your own food goods. Additionally, freeze dried foods are healthy, and keep the longest...if you don't mind paying for them. I have stored freeze dried foods for years, and will continue doing so, but for those who are on a very tight budget, it may not be possible.

    Essentially, you want to cover these main areas (all can be found on these forums):

    -Shelter (bug in or out)
    -Food (long term and rotating stock)
    -Water (storage and filtering/purifying)
    -Heat/Cooling (primarily for bug-in)
    -Clothing (will it stand up to the trials, or fail in the wrong environment?)
    -Protection (weapons, firearms, ammo, etc.)
    -Location (bug-in locations should not be urban if possible, choose wisely)
    -Personal Kit (bug out bag, bug in bag, medical-trauma kit, prescriptions)

    Those are the main areas to prepare -but by no means should you ever limit yourself. Learn all you can about your surroundings, purchase topographic maps, and become familiarized with local/daily news...and try to build yourself a getaway far from the crowd. In a TEOTWAWKI situation, your neighbors could end up becoming your enemy, or they could be your greatest allies -this is debatable, and for you to decide on your own.

    Search these forums for all of the topics listed above.
     
  7. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    One thing that I would add to what Brokor said is start learning the local plants that you can eat and use medicianlly and other wise. You would be surprized how many weeds can be eaten/used.

    OGM
     
  8. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    That's an awesome point, OGM. Very important, too....this is something I need to reinvest time in. ;)
     
  9. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    I would say you won't regrete the time spent Brokor. DW and I have really be putting forth a good bit of effort studying the local plants for the last few years. It's amazing weeds we were pulling out of are garden, were just wasited food. [beat] We no longer waste time and garden space on growing lettuce, theres just to many wild greens to be eaten to waste energy on it.

    OGM
     
  10. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Yeah, Spinach is far better than lettuce, but I haven't tried growing any since I was a teenager and frequented my Aunt's garden.
     
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