Lincoln Food Storage Initiative

01/15/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jxhJoJWLNDtuDLL9/?mibextid=QwDbR1

It's below zero today. Here are some very important tips: NEVER start your car just to move it and then shut it off. A cold start coats the spark plugs which cause a flood (cranks won't fire) condition on the next start attempt. After it is started, drive it at least 5 to 10 minutes until the temp reaches normal. The plugs heat up like a self cleaning oven and clean themselves. We are researching how to apply this to a kitchen. :)

The vast majority of "no-starts" that get towed in have this experience in common.

How to start in super cold: Turn key to "run" position (all dash lights on), wait a few seconds, DON'T TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL, crank the engine and let it start. Don't rev the engine, but give it a slight throttle if needed, up to 2,000 on the tach. Holding it there for a minute or two is good. Drive the car to warm it up is far better than letting it sit and run at idle.

CRANKS WON'T FIRE: Hold the gas pedal to the floor, this shuts off the flow of wet gas and dries the plugs. Crank with pedal to the floor for 15 to 30 seconds. The engine may respond with very rough running, this is one or more cylinders firing. If you're lucky, this will get it started. This trick is used by every mechanic to drive cars into the shop that have been towed in for not starting. We are lazy and will never push a car we can drive. :)

DRESS FOR A CAR THAT STOPS RUNNING. Yes, you have heat, until you don't. Sat night it was -7 degrees on my drive from Omaha to Lincoln. I saw about 20 cars either stalled on the side of the road or slid off the road stuck in the snow. At that point, you have no heat and problems from exposure are real. Don't leave home without boots or foot protection, a hat, coat and gloves.

TRAVEL BELOW ZERO-- In addition to the above, you should probably stay home if you are considering trips out of town. If you feel you must, have a way to keep your cell phone charged, a bottle of gas line de-icer, a tire inflator (12 volt compressor), a jump starter box, shovel, sand and a prayer book. :)

Let someone know when you are leaving and what is your route. Sub zero temps are a serious threat.

06/11/2023

May Food Storage!
——
Focus on:
~Cereals, Oatmeal’s and Rice:
25 lbs. per person (3 month)
50 lbs. per person (6 month)
100 lbs. per person (12 month)

~Jello! A kid favorite with a long shelf life!
6 packs per person (3 month)
12 packs per person (6 month)
24 packs per person ( 12 month)

~ Garden Seeds! May not be in the top of mind for food storage but May is the perfect time of year to buy your favorite seeds and have the ready for next year!

~Olive Oil, for concentration or religious purposes.
1 bottle per family (12 month +)

04/02/2023

April’s Food Storage Challenge: Pantry Staples!
Check your storage for the following. AMOUNTS ARE LISTED AS 3, 6 OR 12 MONTH STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:
-Baking Soda/Powder: 1/2 pound , 1 pound, 2 pounds per person
-Vinegar: 1/4, 1/2 or 1 gallon per person.
-Evaporated Milk: 3, 5, 10 cans per person
-Peanut Butter: 3, 5, 10 pounds per person.
- Vanilla & Other Condiments: Monthly average x 3, 6, or 12.

03/13/2023

March Food StorageChallenge!!

Soups, Lentils and Chili —————-
-12 month supply: 50 cans per person
- 6 month supply: 25 cans per person
- 3 month supply: 13 cans per person

SALT——————-
- 12 month supply: 5 lbs per person
- 6 month supply: 2.5 lbs per person
- 2 month supply: 1.25 lbs per person

Fats and Oils——————-
12 month supply: 20 lbs. per person
6 month supply : 10 lbs per person
3 month supply: 5 lbs. per person

02/19/2023

Water Storage!
Clean water is easy to take for granted. Remembering to include water in your planning is very important!

Here are some tips for storing water:

1. Plan on 1 gallon of water per person per day.

2. Try to have at least a 2 week supply of clean water. Think bottle water, jugs, large sealed containers…

3. Have a plan for sustainable water if a long-term emergency hits. Boil, bleach, chemical tablets or a manual water purification system are all options.

There are a lot of options on the market so shop around to find what’s best for your family and situation.

02/12/2023

February’s Food Storage Challenge:
SRARCH STORAGE!

-100lbs. per person if you are planning for a year
-50lbs. per person if you are planning 6 months
-25lbs. per person if you are planning 3 months.

Starch storage can include pasta, rice, flour or even oats. Remember only store what you eat!!

Other items to make sure you have:
-Grain Mill (electric or hand crank)
-Sewing Kit (yep, with your food storage-separate from your 72 hour kit)

01/30/2023

Starting a good storage plan can be daunting. Here are some points to consider:
1. A short term supply is the food you eat everyday! Try to multiply your list to begin. If I need one can of beans, I now buy four. This really adds up!

2. Long term supply is where your #10 cans come in handy. Think rice, wheat, oats, etc. Remember don’t focus on things your family will not eat or is not realistic. Start small and let your storage grow over time.

3. Water is so important! Remember to store in sturdy containers that are out of direct sunlight and heat sources.

Start small and be consistent!

01/18/2023

With ice and snow means potential power outages. Don’t forget to charge your devices and external power banks!

01/16/2023

1 of 12
January Food Storage Challenge!
Our goal is to help all families prepare a reliable food storage.

Follow our challenges for the next 12 months and you will have a functional food storage for 1 year!

(Scaling for 6 month or 3 months is also possible by adjusting quantities. )

For the month of January- it is recommended you survey what you have and make sure your have the following:

Canned or packaged Protein -24 units per person. (12 units for 6 months storage, 6 units for 3 months storage)

Bleach- 1 gallon per person

Garbage Bags- 30 per person (15 for 6 months or 7 for 3 months)

Laundry Detergent- equivalent of 300 loads per person (150 for 6 months, 75 for 3 months)

1-2 Can Openers

01/08/2023

What comes to mind when you think Food Storage?
Cans, buckets, glass bottles or foods you won't eat.

If that is what you think of, then your investment in food storage will be a waste of time and money.

Here are 5 things to think about as you start or build your Food Storage:

1. Food storage is not a "one size fits all" plan.
Family size, where you live, what you eat, dietary restrictions and other things all come into play in building your food storage.

2. Do not buy or store things your family won't eat.

3. Do not go into debt to build your food storage. With a little planning, patience and time you can build your food storage.

4. Start with a 1 day supply and build from there. 1 day then 3 days then 1 week, etc.

5. Use your food storage to live. Food storage should not be short term or long term, but something you use daily.

This requires you to do some planning, be intentional in planning and using and replenish as things are used.

You can do it!

-Tommi Jones

11/07/2022

Welcome! The Lincoln Food Storage Initiative is focused on helping families learn how to create a short and long term food storage, save money and prepare for emergencies.