Food Storage Shopping List

Happy Easter weekend, everyone. Christ is Risen!

I'm likely to get a Costco membership soon, and found this great list of items to stock up on in bulk:

• Fruits in glass jars or cans
• Canned Salmon
• Canned Sardines
• Olive Oil (This oil will keep for many years)
• Peanut Butter (Jiff is recommended as it has a high sugar content and will last for years)
• Canned Coconut Milk (It is recommended that you shop at a local Asian food market, as it is much cheaper to purchase)
• Soups in glass jars or cans
• Canned Vegetables
• Dry Soup Mixes (CATERING SIZE)
• Fruit Juice in glass or plastic containers
• Canned Chicken
• Jams and Jellies
• Baked Beans
• Chili and Beans
• Canned Milk such as Evaporated and/or Condensed
• Sugar ((Please reconsider and purchase a lot of sugar, it will last forever and be a fabulous bartering tool)
• Salt (Please reconsider purchasing a lot of this product)
• Honey (Whether creamed or not, there will be a shortage of honey if we continue the current weather patterns)
• Molasses (Excellent source of B vitamins)
• Chocolate Powder (Please - anything you purchase in a box MUST go into a sealed bucket)
• Hard Candies (These tasty candies are wonderful for everyone in your family. One candy will assist in adjusting blood sugar levels if anyone is in a state of shock)
• Instant Coffee Crystals (Better known as Freeze Dried Coffee. It can be difficult to store coffee beans as the oils in coffee can go rancid)
• Tea Bags or Boxes of Tea (These should be stored in sealed plastic buckets)
• Ketchup (Lasts forever)
• Mayonnaise (Lasts well in a cool place)
• Pasta Sauces in glass jars or cans
• Olives in glass jars or cans (If you are preparing for only 2 people make sure that “IF” you purchase in large canned containers that you will need to “decant” into smaller containers)
• Spices and Herbs
• Dry Pasta (If purchased in plastic leave in bags and transfer to plastic buckets)
• Aluminum Foil (CATERING SIZE)
• Plastic Shrink Wrap (CATERING SIZE)
• Plastic Containers
• Plastic zip-lock bags (All sizes)
• Wine and Spirits
• Vinegar (Handy for not only cooking but also used as a cleaning aid and for first aid purposes)
• Note pads and plenty of Ball Point Pens
• Bath Soap
• Shampoos and Conditioner (Is used to wash clothing and condition any wool items as well as your hair)
• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
• Feminine Products
• Toilet Paper
• Board Games

On a related note, I eat the Alessi packaged dry soup mixes all the time. All you have to do is boil water and they make a pot full of really delicious soup. They are especially great if you drizzle just a teaspoon or so (okay, maybe a little more than a teaspoon) of extra virgin olive oil into your bowl and stir, or grate some parmesan cheese over them. There are six different flavors and they're all good. You can imagine my delight when I discovered that Amazon will sell you boxes of six packets at a 23% savings off retail -- what a great preparedness item! Inexpensive, healthy, and tasty.

Alessi Zuppa Toscana (Tuscan White Bean)

Alessi Split Pea Soup

Alessi Pasta Fazool

Alessi Brodo di Pollo (Chicken Noodle)

Alessi Sicilian Lentil

Alessi Raviolini with Chicken Soup