Worldwide Food Shortages? How's your Food Storage?

 

Worldwide Food Shortage

If the war in Ukraine is long term or expands there will be effects felt in countries that depend on Ukrainian exports.  Keep in mind when you read this that the US does not import wheat but is a wheat exporter. However other countries do depend on Ukraine and Russia for wheat

Ukraine, along with southwestern Russia, has long been known as “Europe’s breadbasket” thanks to the region's rich dark soil, among the most fertile in the world. The region accounts “for about 15 percent of the world’s wheat production, and nearly 30 percent of world exports,” 

“But it’s not just wheat,” Abis said, “the two countries account for 80 percent of the world’s sunflower oil production, and Ukraine is the world’s fourth largest exporter of maize.” (Sébastien Abis, FRANCE 24).

As the fighting in Ukraine continues and the Russian offensive intensifies along the Black Sea coastline, these important crop producers have now been cut off from the world. "Nothing is leaving the Ukrainian ports anymore," Abis explained, "and it is impossible to know what the country will be able to produce and harvest in the coming months".

The conflict has already had dramatic consequences for Ukrainians “who are struggling to find food amid the bullets”, he said. But it is also causing concerns for the many countries that depend on Ukrainian wheat and are increasingly worried they will soon be unable to feed their people. 

Russia and Ukraine also export fertilizers for big agriculture which may have an affect on food prices and supplies in the United States.

Panic buying in Russia has caused sugar shortages in Russia.

So with all these global concerns and uncertainty,  can you see why having a food supply both short term and long term would create a sense of peace? Instead of panic buying, overspending, and you would be confident in your ability to feed your family and perhaps be able to focus on helping with humanitarian needs of the millions of refugees fleeing the Ukraine.

So......

Be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve. (Church of Jesus Christ)

Short Term Food Storage:

Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food eventually building up to 3 months. 

Watch for case lot sales this spring. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage. Be sure to include baking supplies like oil, yeast, baking soda, powder, and salt.

Long Term Food Storage:

For longer-term needs, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.

These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply.

The Cedar Home Storage Center( 219 East 275 North) has been been very busy recently with lots of folks taking advantage of their low prices to stock up on long-term food storage items.  

Items available are:

•  black, white & pinto beans
• carrots 
• hot cocoa mix 
• chopped onions
• non-fat dry milk
• white flour
• spaghetti bites and macaroni
•  hard red and white wheat (cans & bags)
•  pancake mix 
• quick oats and rolled oats
• white rice
• sugar
• potato flakes  

Availability may vary depending on the week.

This location is open Wednesdays from 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM (they will be closed on Saturday, April 2nd for General Conference).  Again, this is usually the most reasonable prices around and it's already packaged for you in #10 cans for your storage.  

Remember ....anyone is welcome to shop here...  you don't have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Only credit or debit cards are accepted for payment (no American Express).

I suggest getting a variety of the above items then building up your supply of each item.  The items chosen can sustain life by providing proteins and carbs and balanced nutrition; BUT you need to know how to prepare them.  Make a goal to use these items once a week in your menu planning.

The more prepared we are as a community the more at peace we will feel and we will be better prepared to assist those in need.