MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR STORAGE!

If there is one thing we have learned in the past couple of years, it is that we should ALWAYS be prepared. Seems often in the last little while that you couldn’t find flour, meat, or eggs in stores. People are worried sick when they are unable to find the foods they need. But if you keep your food storage up to date, you won’t have these worries.

Picture this scenario: You have been growing a garden, canning, and continually keeping the foods your kinfolk will need on hand. There is a national emergency. Shortages everywhere. Everyone floods the stores, frantically looking for a way to feed their family. Meanwhile, you walk down to your cellar and get your oatmeal and canned peaches for breakfast.

Now, doesn’t that sound nice? You might wonder just how you get to that point. Well, you start by taking small steps, adding items little by little. As you know, there is a lot to consider when it comes to food storage. We are here to make it all easier for you…allow us to help you out by giving you a few ideas of must-haves!

Water

You need flour, eggs, and more flour, right? Yes, you do, but remember the water too! Even though you can live a lot longer without food than you can water, water is still often overlooked. It is recommended to drink eight 8 oz glasses of water per day (and even more if the temperatures are up or you do a lot of physical activity). Make sure to plan for your cooking and cleaning needs as well!

Baking Goods

Not too long ago, folks were buying eggs in bulk, cracking them, and placing them in Ziploc baggies in the freezer. The result? Store shelves were completely barren of eggs. Luckily, there is a better, easier way to store eggs. Here at Silverbrook, we carry egg powder. Add the powder in place of fresh eggs when baking. It is easy and you won’t taste a difference! We also carry all other baking powders you will need. To name a few, we have baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk powder, dry milk powder, and corn starch.

Canned Goods

Canning was developed during the 18^th century to provide a stable, non-perishable diet for soldiers and sailors. And that is why we can. To preserve food from the harvest and provide ourselves with necessary, ongoing nutrients. While the Summer and Fall months are a great time to focus on harvesting and canning, you can, of course still buy what you need throughout the winter. In today’s world, you can find almost any food in a can. Some of the most important canned foods for your storage are meat, fruits/vegetables, evaporated milk, seafood, and canned beans and legumes. Canned foods are long-lasting, cheap, and convenient. Whether you do the canning yourself or buy canned goods, be sure and keep them handy!

Wheat

Wheat has an impressive shelf life! It is filling and contains many important nutrients for your diet. It is a great source of protein, fiber, calcium, and iron. One commonly asked question at Silverbrook Farms is what kind of wheat is most used. Red wheat is good for artisan breads. It is commonly used in cereals, tortillas, and flat breads. White wheat, on the other hand, is a lot milder and sweeter. It can be used to make a softer loaf of bread or in pastries, cookies, and crackers. Since wheat is used in so many situations, it is an excellent idea to keep many different types on hand.

Other miscellaneous items: Rice, noodles, and oatmeal are a few other ideas to focus on for your storage. These are important staples that can serve as the main course to any meal.

The bottom line: Adding to your food storage little by little can go a long way! It is best to continually keep foods on-hand. Adding to your storage in small steps will save you time, frustration, and numerous trips to the store. When you run out of baking powder or buttermilk in the middle of preparing food, you can simply grab a new canister from your food storage area and continue baking! When you add to your food storage slowly overtime, your budget won’t notice as much…but your family will sure will!

Here at Silverbrook Farms, we have all the items listed above in-store. Everything we carry is either grown by us or other local farmers. We guarantee its wholesome goodness…come on in and see for yourself why Silverbrook Farms is the best choice for your food storage needs!