my latest A-Ha moment regarding food storage

**ladykemma2** · 11-10-2009, 06:35 AM

I do the LDS (mormon) method of food storage/ food rotation.

this past year i have making my budget even tighter than it was before to accommodate the newly adjusted retirement to where it should be. (i cut it way back while i adjusted to the post-divorce budget)

anyhoo, my food storage got used during the year of intense grieving and was very low. I was trying to restock it by making a sinking fund, which kept getting tapped so this was not working. then i tried to restock the food storage by spending what's left after the normal groceries were bought. this wasn't working. I tried just going out and blowing 500 bucks out of the emergency fund, but that wasn't working either.

ok, some of us are slower than others.

I said to myself "self, what's working with your savings? you are paying the tithing and savings first, what would happen if i put the food storage item of the week in the cart first, and then bought the normal groceries?" (duh)

so I tried it. it worked! last week i bought a dozen canned peaches and a case of carnation evaporated milk (loss leader) in the cart first and golly gee i seemed to come home with groceries too!

this week is a dozen canned pears or my choice of "found item on holiday sale". i will walk walmart before beginning shopping to see what's on holiday sale. so a leisurely shop through walmart and a non hurried approach works.

i also have an organized list too. i need everything!

**NikoSan999** · 11-10-2009, 07:16 AM

Good for you. You figured out a way. You'll have it back up and running before very long. I do the same here. I stop in Publix on the way home Thursdays when the new sale begins and pick up a paper then walk around abit. Almost all my shopping comes from the BOGO now and coupons. I'm getting better at it as I finally, after several months of it figured out how long before they come on sale yet again.

You can also snoop a little online with groceries to get a head start. I know each store may be alittle different but it may help some. It also has groceries and categories.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=121828

**ladykemma2** · 11-10-2009, 08:09 AM

thanks!

i am also getting rid of old canned goods. i would have done this, but my life came to a screeching halt during the divorce and it's painful aftermath.

so anyone want some canned goods from 2003? ha ha. yuck.

i also discovered that the del monte vintage 2003-2005 canned fruits and veg are still (somewhat) edible but the cheaper generic versions of the canned fruits and veg are disgusting. and some are bulging and leaking. del monte only for me!

I also made note of what definitely got eaten.

this is what happens when you neglect your food strorage program. this wouldn't have happened if i had been on top of it. I also noted that the canned mushrooms never got eaten and will not be bought again.

**Grainlady** · 11-10-2009, 09:00 AM

Great idea to prioritize! Some finer points to consider that might help you out even more.

1. Keep track of use-by dates and make sure you can realistically use 12 cans of peaches and case of canned milk before those use-by dates.

I typically never purchase more than 2 or 3 of something at any one time so I make sure I keep those use-by dates as far out as possible while building the stockpile because there are only two of us to feed.

When peanut butter is a loss-leader it's notorious for having use-by dates that are not too far out, so be sure to check them. We typically use one 16-oz. jar of peanut butter per month, so I watch how many jars I have and when I need to use them.

2. Think INGREDIENTS. Ingredients with which you can make a wide variety of foods from scratch, instead of single-use foods.

-The same ingredients I use to make a homemade pancake mix are the same ingredients I use to make many other things. The purchase of a container of Bisquick Shake & Pour at $2 - for 12-15 pancakes, then you are pretty well stuck with pancakes or waffles and have probably paid 10-times as much to make the same number of pancakes as when you make your own recipe/mix from scratch.

-Instead of purchasing a variety of cans of tomato products, I purchase dried tomato powder - http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices/tomato-powder - which can be made into tomato sauce, tomato paste, pizza sauce, added to soup and casseroles, etc. Now I can make these tomato products in the quantities I need to avoid waste, and not have to think how to use that 1/2 can of tomato paste....

3. Target the "Seven Survival Foods" - grains, legumes, sprouting seeds, sweetener, salt, oil and powdered milk - as suggested by the LDS. With these essential foods you can make a plethora of things. Everything you fill your pantry with after these essentials are accumulated will be the bonus foods.

4. Canned milk is a handy-to-have commodity and storage item, but be sure to figure the unit price compared to other milk sources to see if it's the least expensive per ounce. It MAY be on sale, but it may NOT be a bargain when you figure unit price.

The powdered milk product I purchase in bulk amounts (24.5# or 50# when I can share it with a friend) is always less expensive than fresh milk or non-fat dry milk products from the store. With these powdered milk products I can make a substitute for evaporated milk (double-strength powdered milk), homemade yogurt, homemade kefir, homemade cottage cheese, homemade pudding mixes, cocoa mix, sauce mixes, Magic Mix, pancake mix, baking mix..... Powdered milk is literally the inexpensive main link to my homemade "convenience" foods.

5. It's better to have 2-3 months worth of a variety of foods covering all the food groups, than a years supply of one food. I remember a local man who purchased a thousand pounds of rice preparing for Y2K, and thought he was "set"....

6. When I began stockpiling years ago, I designated $5 of the food budget for stockpiling. After looking at the loss-leaders and in-store clearance/bargain items, I might end up with $5 worth of tuna that week, or a combination of items that would total $5.

This summer canned fruit was on sale and drastically reduced, so I reverted back to my $5 days and purchased at least $5 worth of canned fruit each week all summer. In September all that canned fruit doubled in price, so my food storage is now a great edible savings account.

Now that my stockpile is well-stocked, most of my food dollars go for replenishing items when I find them at the LOWEST price. I have a $50/week food budget and I keep meat purchases to $10/week of that amount and look for meat that is $2 or less per pound.

I also save unspent food dollars as they accumulate and purchase large amounts of powdered milk or a 100# of wheat, or large purchases of freeze-dried foods we use. Morning Moo's (the whey-based milk substitute I use) was on sale recently, so I purchased a year's worth of it because I had enough money accumulated to do so. So I rarely spend all my food dollars each week.

7. Choose nutrient-dense foods (typically whole foods). Empty calories never fed anyone.

**ladykemma2** · 11-10-2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Grainlady

Great idea to prioritize! Some finer points to consider that might help you out even more.

1. Keep track of use-by dates and make sure you can realistically use 12 cans of peaches and case of canned milk before those use-by dates. i know i normally use 12 cans of 'whatever it is' in a two year cycle. i have been keeping a food store for 16 years. if something needs to be used, when i was on top of my game i would have pulled it and put it in an "eat me " pile. but i didn't and now i have a mess to deal with.

I typically never purchase more than 2 or 3 of something at any one time so I make sure I keep those use-by dates as far out as possible while building the stockpile because there are only two of us to feed.

When peanut butter is a loss-leader it's notorious for having use-by dates that are not too far out, so be sure to check them. We typically use one 16-oz. jar of peanut butter per month, so I watch how many jars I have and when I need to use them. i get the peanut butter from the overruns at the LDS peanut butter plant here in town. it always gets eaten so i don't pay attention to the dates.
2. Think INGREDIENTS. Ingredients with which you can make a wide variety of foods from scratch, instead of single-use foods. i cook everything from scratch!

-Instead of purchasing a variety of cans of tomato products, I purchase dried tomato powder - [url]good thought walton feed?

3. Target the "Seven Survival Foods" - grains, legumes, sprouting seeds, sweetener, salt, oil and powdered milk - as suggested by the LDS. With these essential foods you can make a plethora of things. Everything you fill your pantry with after these essentials are accumulated will be the bonus foods. how does two tons of wheat and other grains and other grains in #10 cans sound? check! psst- got all that! ha ha

4. Canned milk is a handy-to-have commodity and storage item, but be sure to figure the unit price compared to other milk sources to see if it's the least expensive per ounce. It MAY be on sale, but it may NOT be a bargain when you figure unit price. i have probably 500 punds of the nasty powdered milk in this house in 10 cans but i thin it is gross and disgusting. but we are commanded to have it. yuck. i know i will use the evap milk.
The powdered milk product I purchase in bulk amounts (24.5# or 50# when I can share it with a friend) is always less expensive than fresh milk or non-fat dry milk products from the store. With these powdered milk products I can make a substitute for evaporated milk (double-strength powdered milk), homemade yogurt, homemade kefir, homemade cottage cheese, homemade pudding mixes, cocoa mix, sauce mixes, Magic Mix, pancake mix, baking mix..... Powdered milk is literally the inexpensive main link to my homemade "convenience" foods.

5. It's better to have 2-3 months worth of a variety of foods covering all the food groups, than a years supply of one food. I remember a local man who purchased a thousand pounds of rice preparing for Y2K, and thought he was "set"....hon, you're preaching to the choir. ha ha.

6. When I began stockpiling years ago, I designated $5 of the food budget for stockpiling. After looking at the loss-leaders and in-store clearance/bargain items, I might end up with $5 worth of tuna that week, or a combination of items that would total $5.

This summer canned fruit was on sale and drastically reduced, so I reverted back to my $5 days and purchased at least $5 worth of canned fruit each week all summer. In September all that canned fruit doubled in price, so my food storage is now a great edible savings account.

Now that my stockpile is well-stocked, most of my food dollars go for replenishing items when I find them at the LOWEST price. I have a $50/week food budget and I keep meat purchases to $10/week of that amount and look for meat that is $2 or less per pound.

I also save unspent food dollars as they accumulate and purchase large amounts of powdered milk or a 100# of wheat, or large purchases of freeze-dried foods we use. Morning Moo's (the whey-based milk substitute I use) was on sale recently, so I purchased a year's worth of it because I had enough money accumulated to do so. So I rarely spend all my food dollars each week.where do you get morning moo? gthe only place i know is provident pantry?

7. Choose nutrient-dense foods (typically whole foods). Empty calories never fed anyone.

yup

))))))))))))))))

**Missy** · 11-10-2009, 10:56 AM

I love love love the LDS method, and have plans to go to a wet pack and a dry pack with some members in the comiing months. I might even be able to get to a wet pack event here this month.

**mauimagic** · 11-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Interesting and informative as usual - you guys are the best!!

I have been very happy that we have had extra food stored as we have needed to use it recently. It does take time, planning and attention to be on top of everything - and it works!!

**Grainlady** · 11-11-2009, 07:56 PM

ladykemma2 - I've used Morning Moo's Whey-Based Milk Substitute for about 16-years and get it through Blue Chip Group in Utah. It tastes the best of all the powdered milk and whey-based milk powders we've used since 1981 when we started using Meadow Fresh originally. Morning Moo's is a "1st cousin" to Roy Borg's Meadow Fresh, if you are familiar with it.

http://www.moosmilk.com/

**ladykemma2** · 12-21-2009, 11:12 AM

update - the "food storage items in the cart first' method is still working!

**savvy_sniper** · 12-21-2009, 12:44 PM

I am glad you found a method that works for you! Do you go to an LDS cannery to buy any of your stuff? I am just curious. I have read of others that do it.

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

update - the "food storage items in the cart first' method is still working!

**ladykemma2** · 12-21-2009, 01:14 PM

i have all the beans, wheat rice and milk that the cannery sells, (tons of it) but now i am updating regular groceries like dinty moore beef stew and canned peaches. ya know, stuff people actually eat.

**organized lady** · 12-22-2009, 12:10 PM

NikoSan999, How did you figure out the sales rotation? I know there must be a way, but it is more than this little brain has understood! Would you be interested in sharing? thanks!

**mauimagic** · 12-22-2009, 01:50 PM

I need to replenish all my dried beans. For Christmas presents for school staff, I made confetti bean soup in a jar for 24!! A subtle introduction to frugal living and using dried beans!!

Actually I am excited to be restocking - will give me more control and help my organization too!!

**VanVivCam** · 12-22-2009, 03:06 PM

putting your stockpile in the buggy first is an excellent idea...I may try that next time i shop. thanks for sharing!!!

**NikoSan999** · 12-22-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by organized lady

NikoSan999, How did you figure out the sales rotation? I know there must be a way, but it is more than this little brain has understood! Would you be interested in sharing? thanks!

When I first started doing the BOGO I bought a ton of stuff not realizing that it would happen again in a circle. Example, Ragu, about 3 weeks later was again BOGO. And again. Publix runs Green Giant canned veggies one week BOGO then the following week Del Monte then again about 3 weeks it starts over. Canned tomatoes...First week Hunts then next week Del Monte..then 3 weeks later.

Seems that everything here runs in 3 week cycles..maybe 4 on some. Even snack stuff...Nabisco, Ritz etc. Cereal is 2 weeks on 1 week off..Mostly General Mills with occassional Kelloggs.

If you get sale papers keep them tucked away every week until you have acquired several weeks worth then pull them out and go thru them. I keep them for 3 stores not counting Walmart but mainly do Publix. Especially for the stockpile. They will take a coupon even on the free item. Example Betty Crocker potatoes (BOGO ) $1.59 for both. 2-40 cent coupons for total of 80 cents off the $1.59 so I get both for 79 cents or 40 cents each.

Collect the sale ads and go thru after about 3 weeks and find the cycle. Patience. I can go to Publix with the grocery total at $150 to $165 and pay no more than $75 to $80. Sometimes less. This also includes no coupon stuff like milk, bread, fruit, fresh vegetables etc. Frozen vegetables at my stores are also very frequently BOGO with coupons available.