Our Top 3 Reasons to stock up on freeze-dried/dehydrated foods now, plus a simple recipe to add your emergency preparedness Now more than ever, people are beginning to realize the importance of food storage and emergency preparedness. We’ve all witnessed empty shelves at the grocery store and backorders for items across the country. However, countless resources have been made available to help you learn where to start and how to prepare your family for any scenario. Each person’s situation is different. Some have plenty of space in their homes for buckets and cans, others live in apartments, or just cram things where they can. Whatever your situation, food storage is essential, and with all that’s happening in the world today, there’s never been a more perfect time to start stocking your shelves. In this article, we’ve included the top 3 reasons you should invest in food storage now. #3 CUT BACK ON TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE Some people think that freeze-dried or dehydrated food is only for worst-case scenarios when you’ve run out of other options and have to crack open one of those cans that’s been collecting dust in your basement for 10 years. However, food storage is actually a great way to cut back on trips to the grocery store. This saves money in the long run, helps you avoid the chaos and large crowds (especially helpful during the pandemic), and can take one more item off your to-do list during the week. Having the option of long-lasting produce, meats, grains, and more is a great reason to begin building your food storage today. It allows you not only cut back on having to go to the store, but you also have the ease of preparation and so much more. #2 FASTER AND EASIER COOKING/PREPARATION Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are the perfect solution for quick, easy meals your family will enjoy. Not only can you stock up on entrees like lasagna, mac-and-cheese, and soup; but you can also use your food storage as add-ins to your favorite family recipes. Freeze-dried fruit, for example, is an easy and healthy snack, and it tastes great right out of the can. You can also make your own healthy trail mix by combining a mix of our freeze-dried fruit with your choice of nuts, or add in some blueberries to your muffin or pancake mixes to change things up for breakfast. Below, we’ve included a simple recipe that can be made with a majority of dehydrated/freeze-dried products. Sausage Casserole Recipe: Ingredients: 1 cup freeze-dried sausage crumbles (hydrated) 1 Tbsp dried onion 4 ½ cups hot water 1 cup rice 2 pkg. dehydrated chicken noodle soup (e.g. Lipton) Instructions:

1. Add 1 cup of Sausage Crumbles to 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 7-12 minutes and drain off excess liquid (yields 1 cup of sausage crumbles).
2. Place sausage in large saucepan and add onion.
3. Cook until onion is tender.
4. Add soup packages, water, and rice. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes without removing lid.

#1 PEACE OF MIND DURING EMERGENCIES Finally, one of the biggest reasons people today are deciding to invest in long-term food storage is for the peace of mind that comes from being prepared in the case of an emergency. With what has been going on in the world, it’s comforting to know you and your family will have food available. If this is the situation you are buying for, it’s good to have a mix of meal options. In addition to entrees, fruits, and vegetables, storing basics like grains, sugar, milk, etc. gives you so many more options to prepare meals. It is not hard to choose a few of your family’s favorite recipes and then store the long-term ingredients for those. You will know that you are storing food your family will eat and enjoy in an emergency. Whatever the reason you are choosing to store food and emergency supplies, you will never regret making the decision.