Letter Re: Advice on Stored Food Shelf Lives and Insect Proofing

Mr. Rawles;
I see all the news of the economic chaos (bursting budgets, Ireland debt crisis, unemployment, QEII, etc.), just like you showed in your novel [“Patriots”]. (Was it prophetic?) This has me scared spitless, and I’m overwhelmed with all the preps that I have to make, yesterday. My budget is small, since I don’t want to use my credit card for any of this. I really need to get started.

Where can I buy food cheaply, in bulk? The supermarket prices seem too high for rice and beans. There is a Sam’s Club [membership] store nearby, and they have much better prices. At least I was able to find buckets and lids at my local bakery, for free, like you mentioned in your blog. They were very nice, even apologizing that the buckets hadn’t been washed. I can get more in a couple of weeks. (They are saving them for me.)

The one bucket that I sealed was very hard to re-open. Is there some tool for that?

Can I stock up everything I need, right in town? How about [protecting my stored food from] insects? (Both already hatched bugs and eggs).

Last thing: Do you have a list of shelf lives for different kinds of foods?

Thanks for your wonderful blog. It is amazing. – Margaret I. in Colorado

JWR Replies: Good luck with embarking on your food storage program. You can source nearly everything you need at your local Sam’s Club store.

Both square and round plastic buckets are easily opened with a bucket lid wrench. These are usually available in the paint departments of Lowe’s and Home Depot stores, as well at some restaurant supply stores. They are also inexpensively sold via mail order. (Usually under $7.) Further, I recommend that any round buckets that you need to access very frequently should be retrofitted with a screw-top Gamma Seal Lid. Here at the ranch, we use these lids on the buckets for our wheat, sugar, rice, corn meal, pasta, and even our dog food.

Details on insect-proofing your food stored in buckets (including a method with dry ice) and some comprehensive food shelf life charts are including in the Rawles Gets Your Ready Course. It is currently offered at a discounted price. Coincidentally, the course is specifically geared toward stocking up at “Big Box” stores like Costco and Sam’s Club.