Points to remember for Beginners

1. Food Storage for the sake of food storage is completely worthless.
If you buy some prescribed set of food items that your family doesn't eat, you do not benefit. It is difficult to enjoy a home storage program as well when you resent the gazillion pounds of food taking up space that your family does not eat. This is the number one problem with long term storage options. That is why the church has recently changed its recommendations. The All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet outlines a great priority list for a home storage program. They recommend beginning with a three month supply of things you already eat. This is a wonderful suggestion and can really help a beginner.

2. Do not go into debt to store food.
We are counseled to avoid debt and buying food on credit does nothing more than place your family under additional undue stress. It is much wiser to purchase food a small amount at a time and build your program slowly.

3. Only try a few new recipes at a time.
If you want to try to make bread then focus your efforts on your skill. Make bread once a week and as you practice you will improve. This success is also key. You want to be confident in your abilities to use the food you have stored. By starting small you can improve the quality of your storage along with the quantity.

4. Lastly, begin your storage program by prayerfully considering the needs of your individual family. Every family is different. Space, number of people and personal preference are factors to consider and the Lord can help you to design a program that will work for you.

A home storage program is a way of life. It is a process of living simply and modestly that can bless you in so many ways. I feel so strongly about this as a principle. It is not just a temporal commandment. When we consecrate this effort in the act of following the prophet's counsel we are immensely and richly blessed.