Why you should inventory your food supply

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

mb — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:15:31 GMT

I'm not the only person who makes iced tea? :) well, if you have the space, good idea to store and use the food.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Marie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:41:59 GMT

Donna, thanks for sharing your real life experiences with us. It really inspires me to work harder at being thrifty and creative with what I have. Also, Thanks for promoting food storage in a positive light. I think recent years have taught us all that it is very important to be as self reliant as possible.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Milly — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:44:36 GMT

Your food will still be ok , even if it is expired , as long as you put dry goods in jars, or the freezer. Can goods can last up to five years.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Susana — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:11:26 GMT

I did that and I guess didn't plan well now my excessive buying is expiring before I use it. I went on a salad eating bing and stopped, didn't quite make that big pot of barbe-q pulled pork like I had planned. It expired, Even Crackers expired on me. well it's just the 2 of us. be careful you don't buy too much.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Ellen R. — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:07:04 GMT

I believe Donna mentioned that she DOES donate to food banks in her blog.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Jess — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:27:39 GMT

My husband and I need to start saving more shelf stable food. With the price of groceries lately in our area (we live in MA) it's been hard to buy just even what we need for 2 weeks... but we're working on it since the economy is so bad especially now and with the holidays coming too.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

gsharp — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:20:15 GMT

It IS important to inventory and "rotate" your food storage. My mom taught me to get a sharpie and mark in big numbers the exp date on incoming items. You should know what you have so you know what you still need. You also need to assess to see what you thought you would use like crazy and didn't. But a 2 week supply is nothing!! Think a year's supply. At Church we are often told to store at least a year's supply--including water, fuel where possible, dry goods, and a year's worth of money in the bank. (A dream that would have come in more than handy when my husband was laid off) A two years supply is even better. I know that seems extreme to so many people--fearmongering-- but between job layoffs, uncertain economics, domestic terrorism, and natural disasters, it isn't all that far-fetched. We have lived through more than one of those on that list personally. And when my married children have problems I let them "shop" in my cupboards and I have taken food in to people having hard times, so it has supported more than just my family. It's not living in fear, it's sleeping in peace. I have to laugh at the home organization shows that say "throw out anything you have more than one of". That statement needs a big time qualifier. I agree on the "stuff" level, but I've seen them stand in front of a pantry and say, "Do you really need THREE cans of the same soup???" Have these people never had a crisis? I always appreciate your thoughts Donna, keep them coming.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

NancyinFL — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:32:11 GMT

I keep a large inventory of food also (I learned a lot from your blog, Donna, as well as from the MSN Money posts on how to shop and save!). I live in a hurricane zone, and we are suposed to now keep at least a two weeks' supply of food and water on hand. In November, when the hurricane season ends, I donate what I can spare to the local food bank, and to the AIDS charity I where I volunteer. I think the stash is a great idea regardless: it saves me from expensive extra trips to the store, and I always have something to eat. I have not kept a written inventory, however, and you've now given me another project! My new computer came with a software program that includes household inventory sheets, and I will certainly use it!

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Sallie's Niece — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:31:02 GMT

This is a really good idea - I now have so many packs of instant oatmeal I think I will be eating it for the rest of my days. How long does it last, I'm not even sure. I do need to stock up on other staples too.

re: Why you should inventory your food supply

Food Man — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:49:25 GMT

I don't see anything wrong with this as long as the items don't go to waste and you eat them before they expire. Considering the state of our government agencies and our economy, a stash of food and drinking water is not a bad idea. I always keep at least two weeks worth of non-perishable supplies on hand in case of emergency.