PREPARE in a YEAR

Okay friends. Let’s talk about food.

When a real disaster hits our island we could be on our own for weeks. Ferries may not run. Stores may not restock. And if it’s winter, your garden is probably giving you…what?

So the real question isn’t if you’ll be inconvenienced. It’s what will you and your family eat?

And yes—that includes your pets, your chickens, your goats, and the cousin who came for the weekend and is now unexpectedly “local.”

Start with 30 days (don’t panic)

We recommend building toward a 30-day food supply. Don’t sprint—stroll. Add a few items each shopping trip and grow your stash as you’re able. Store food in a cool, dry place where it won’t freeze, overheat, or become a rodent buffet. Think: tidy, protected, and slightly boring. Boring is good.

Focus on:

• High-calorie

• Shelf-stable

• Nutrient-dense

There are companies that specialize in long-term storage foods like ReadyWise, Mountain House, BePrepared.com, cascadiaready.com. They’re convenient and long-lasting (though pricier). Even if you don’t buy from them, browse their websites—it’s like window shopping for the apocalypse. You’ll get great ideas.

Cook like the power’s out (because it might be)

How will you cook?

●      Camp stove (with fuel?)

●      Barbecue (with charcoal?)

●      Rocket stove (with twigs?)

A rocket stove is worth considering—it burns small branches and twigs, which we have in abundance. No butane runs required. Also ask yourself: what’s the minimum cookware you truly need? One sturdy pot. One pan. A sharp knife. A stirring spoon. A can opener. Glamorous? No. Functional? Absolutely.

Store what you love. Eat what you store.

Every family is different. Allergies, preferences, picky eaters, athletes, toddlers—you know your crew.

The golden rule: Store what you eat. Eat what you store. Rotate regularly.

If you want a ‘stocking blueprint,’ think about what you would eat for a week if you did NOT have access to your refrigerator or freezer. (Those of you who backpack already know how to do this!) Think in terms of quantities and types of grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables, seasonings, fats and sauces, and perhaps dairy and treats. Now, take those quantities and multiply by 4—that should give you a 4 week supply for yourself. Multiply this by the number of people in your household, and that will give you a 30 day supply for everyone. We do recommend you include variety in your choices. You may love canned chili, but probably not for 30 days. Your taste buds and body will feel better with a healthy variety.

If you still feel overwhelmed and just want a list, we have some suggestions on our How to get prepared: Provisioning food page.

A word about earthquakes

We do live in earthquake country. Cans are sturdier than glass. If you store food in glass jars, keep them packed tightly in bins or boxes to improve their odds during a serious shake. Nothing says “hard day” like cleaning marinara off the pantry floor in the dark.

Preparedness isn’t fear. It’s hospitality—for your future self. When the lights flicker and the ferries pause, you’ll be the calm one saying, “Come on in. We’ve got dinner covered.”