Can we talk?

Emergency Food Packs

         Emergency food has been in the news and the ads a lot lately. I don't know if it's just another business trend getting promotion, or a timely idea. The ones advertised are pouches to which you add water. These have a 25 year shelf life. The only prices I've looked at, are about one dollar per person per meal. There's no use buying more of that than the amount of clean drinking water you stock.

         But if you're only planning on a climate disaster, like flood or hurricane, why plan for 25 years? A 3 to six month supply could be turned over yearly, so that you're prepared. But where does the average person store such things? Shouldn't it be a temperature controlled environment? And what if the disaster happens, looting starts, and word gets out that your family is fully supplied for a while? You'd have to be very secretive. But how could you let a relative or neighbor child go hungry?

         I have heard economists say that a six week supply, including matches, candles, first aid, and paper supplies should be stocked up, in case of disaster, be it weather or governmental, until things go back to normal. That seems kind of rash, especially since these same economists say an emergency is eminent, and have been saying so for many years now. Seems kind of alarmist, if nothing's happened since they said it five years ago or more.

         I don't think it hurts to have a little extra. There could always be a trucker's strike, things like that. We keep coffee, since that has an extended shelf life. We keep bottled water and paper supplies just because we don't want to run out in case we have unexpected overnight company. Soft drinks don't keep. Bleach is only good for one year before losing effectiveness. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is good for 4 years before it's opened; once opened, it has to be refrigerated. Jelly lasts a long time. So does Spam and canned beans.

         These emergency food places talk about "frankenfoods" which is a bad thing. I don't know what that is, but I'm going to find out. Personally, I don't want to tie up storage space or my funds with food supplies I might not live to use.