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.