Everyone, including myself did some checking online too.
I did not collect information on gardening seeds, barter/trade goods or alternative currency, however some items can be bartered.
I did not price out gardening seeds either, however be sure to select seeds that are:
- Non-hybrid
- Non-GM
- Open or Free Pollinated
- Organic
These seeds tend to run from $2.00 to 6.00 per packet depending on seed type, quantity in the packet and availability.
According to multiple sustainable gardening experts, top providers for these seeds in the US are:
According to multiple sustainable gardening experts, top providers for these seeds in the US are:
- Avoid purchasing all “mixed” fruits, vegetables and entrées or “meals in a packet”, no matter if they are dehydrated, freeze dried or MRE. Keep a small variety of these types of emergency food for those odd ball times when you just don’t feel like cooking.
- Use a variety of food preservation methods and containers: canned (commercial or home), freeze dried (commercial or home), dehydrated (commercial or home).
- Store individual ingredients rather than mixed together or “meals in a packet”.
- Select storage sizes to match your household. Remember once a container is opened, even if re-sealed tightly, once exposed to the air, it will shorten the shelf life. (Emergency Essentials has a smaller version of the #10 storage can for smaller households.) This is true with medications too.
- If you must purchase in bulk and cannot split the purchase with others, immediately re-package into a smaller air-tight containers for minimal exposure to air during use and longer shelf-life.
- Select foods based on your household’s usual meals, needs and preferences. If your household eats a lot of tuna salad, think what you need to make this: Mayo, onion, celery, etc. Pick low-salt, water-packed varieties when possible.
- Canned meats may include tuna, chicken, raviolis, chili, stew, Spam, corned beef and the like.
- For condiments think dehydrated and freeze dried like: milk, sour cream, cheese, peanut butter, mayo, eggs, gravy mix, etc. And don’t forget your spices!
For more detailed information on how much to store see 2 Great Food Storage Calculators (Excel workbook, check all tabs)
- Supplies may be stored all together in a large garbage can or food may be kept on kitchen shelves (any place cool, dry, insect & rodent proof).
- Food grade plastic and Mylar liners can be used to turn any container into a food grade container.
- Remember just about everything has some kind of shelf or viability life, so rotate your storage supplies and change out your water storage and fuel about every six months.
For details on shelf/viability life see Shelf Life Information on Lots of Things Updated April 2015 (Excel workbook, check all tabs)
To see the full Excel Workbook (download in Excel to see all tabs) on this pricing research see Preparedness Supply Cost Estimates for Procurement & more Sep 2014
To download all 24 weeks in one document see 24 Weeks of Preparedness Planning & Supply Procurement 2015
TNT
the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
Proverbs 22:3