March 2013 Food Storage Goals

During the month of March, I like to focus on tomato products and pasta. For those of you who live in Utah you can find some of my suggested items at the case lot sales. Instead of buying once a week, you could stock up for this month during the next two weeks. I've listed what I consider great prices at the end of this post. Remember: you don't have to buy a whole case to get the sales price at some of the stores like Dick's. Call ahead to be sure.

If you live outside of Utah, it's helpful to focus on a category of items to gather each month for your food storage; so, tomatoes and pasta. It's easy to get overwhelmed if you try to buy a bunch of food items. If you follow my monthly and weekly suggestions, you can gather throughout the year, and your items will be naturally rotated so they don't lose their shelf life.

Suggested Food Storage List for March 2013.pdf
(made some changes 3/3/13)

Personally, I like to gather a 6 month supply of canned tomatoes and pasta. I don't like to gather more than that because I've discovered we don't go through food as fast as I hope for. Then, 6 months from now I buy some more to add to my supply again. Eventually it gradually builds to a year's supply. However, do whatever your family can afford and has space for.

Tomato based products have a shorter shelf life of 12 to 18 month, so it's best to buy regularly. Dry pasta lasts about 2 to 3 years if you buy it in bags or boxes and keep it in a sealed container in your cool pantry. But the LDS spaghetti and macaroni sealed in #10 cans or Mylar bags, can be stored for 30 years. The key is cool, dry, dry. If your kitchen gets warm like in the summer, the shelf life of foods decreases. I like to have a supply of short-term and long-term pasta.

If you want to wait until you harvest your own tomatoes later this year because you can your own items, do so. You could focus on pasta this month and some other tomato item you don't can yourself. Also, if you don't make your spaghetti sauce from scratch, you could by pre-made pasta sauce instead. If that's the way your family does it, than go for it.

The thing I love about food storage, is everyone can gather the perfect supply for their family. You don't have to get anything I suggest or someone else suggests. You build a supply that works for your family so they will eat it and you will buy some more. Food storage, for your family, your way.

Regarding emergency preparedness, now is a great time to update your first aid items. You want to have a good first aid kit, some general medical supplies and medicine always on hand for those emergencies that can and will happen.

And this month, our spiritual focus is to Be Charitable. One way to do that is to give blood to the Red Cross. There is always a need to help. So call to find out where you can donate.

Best wishes to you and your family on your adventures in food storage. You CAN do it!

Valerie

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; 

that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings 

ye are only in the service of your God."

Mosiah 2:17

Utah Case Lot Sale Shopping deals February 2013: 

• ShurSaving tomato sauce, .20 8 oz. can 
• WF tomato sauce, .33 8 oz. can 
• WF tomato paste, .45 6 oz. can
• WF canned tomatoes, .50 15 oz. can
• Hunt's pasta sauce, .79 24 oz. can
• WF Pasta, spaghetti, thin spaghetti or macaroni, 3 lbs. bag, $1.99 (Great price!)
• WF Macaroni & Cheese, .33 box
• Campbell's SpaghettiOs, .59 15 oz. can