Space wars: where do I store it?

Lack of space is one of the greatest obstacles people face when building their food storage.  At first glance, it may seem there is not one extra inch of space in your house or apartment for food storage.  But with some organization and creativity you might just find you have more workable space than you thought.  Remember: some food storage in a less-than-ideal spot or in several spots is better than no food storage at all.  Don't be afraid to look in places other than the cupboard or pantry.  Here are a few ideas to consider when looking for space in your household:

• Look under beds.  This can be especially helpful for long-term storage items.  If you aren't intending to eat the foods for some time, you could actually use #10 cans as a bed frame.  A twin-size bed will sit on almost 70 cans. Plus, a good dust ruffle is all it takes to cover it all up.
• Above and below cupboards and shelves.  Your cupboards might be filled to the brim, but what about the places above and below?
• Look for hanging shelves and racks to hang over a cupboard or pantry door.
• Would a turntable help your cupboard stay more organized?  Would it give your cupboard more storage room?
• Add a shelf or two to your closets or pantries.
• Create a false bottom for one of your closets by creating a solid layer of cans and putting a piece of plywood over them.
• Reallocate the items stored in a closet and convert the closet into a pantry.
• Look at the space under the stairs, if you have one.
• Add shelves to a utility or laundry room.
• Look under furniture (such as end-tables) you can drape with fabric.
• Store items on decorative ledges in houses with high vaulted ceilings.
• Find a sturdy, freestanding shelf unit to store some food storage in.  This is especially helpful for renters or people with limited closet space.

Where do you keep your food storage?  What has worked for you in the past when you've been pinched for space?

8 reasons why

Most of us have at some point or another realized that building a proper food storage takes space, time, money, and energy - things few of us have much excess of.  I admit I used to think of food storage as a daunting task that I would do "when I was older and more established."  But unfortunately natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and financial hardships don't just effect a limited few.  After a few weeks of food storage organization and planning I'm starting realized that although food storage takes space, time, money, and energy, the benefits far outweigh the costs.  And the process doesn't have to be that intrusive.  Here are 8 benefits of having a food storage:

1. Prepares us temporally for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or financial hardship.
2. Helps us stay emotionally in control during out-of-control situations.
3. Fulfills our duty to the people we have stewardship over.
4. Saves money by supplementing our meals with pantry items we can find on sale.
5. Eventually saves time in preparing food - many of the recipes are actually faster and there is no need to run out to the store every time something is needed.
6. Enables us to help others during challenging times.
7. Gives us peace of mind that we are prepared for the future.
8. Helps us fulfill the commandment to start building a food and water supply.  As the First Presidency says in All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, (Feb 2007): "We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."


There is no "one-size-fits-all" plan for developing your home food storage. We all have different challenges and limitations to take into consideration.  Although it is possible to go out and purchase an entire year's supply of food, most of us will find ourselves developing it slowly over time.  The important thing is to realize that having something is always better than having nothing.