goal 4(b) - gather beans for longer-term storage

Our current goal is gathering our longer-term storage.

Specifically - Store Beans.

In addition to grains, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recommends beans for longer-term storage. Beans are a fantastic protein source and are the perfect complement to many of the recommended grains. In fact, beans and rice (or beans and cornbread) make a complete protein which is full of amino acids and all sorts of good stuff. Our family really likes black beans and refried (pinto) beans -- so that's what we've stored.

Beans are not cheap. I've seen them recently for about $50 for a 25 lb. prepacked bucket. The church cannery offers them for around $5 for a #10 can. They have black, pinto and white beans. Beans are also available in bulk bags from the home storage centers for approximately $16 for 25 lbs. The Provident Living website states that beans can be stored for 30 years or more in ideal conditions.

You should store 5 lbs. of beans per person per month (45 lbs for a 9 month longer-term supply -- 60 lbs per person for a 12 month longer-term supply).

storing grains

This is just a quick reminder that our current goal is storing grains for your longer-term storage. Oats, corn, wheat, white rice, and pasta are all great choices for extra long storage shelf-lives. Store them in PETE bottles, #10 cans, buckets (if you live in a dry climate), or foil pouches in a cool, dry, dark area. Click here to see suggested amounts of grain storage.

I'm including a poll at iPrepared today. Let me know how you are doing.

Look for upcoming posts on corn, rice, oats, pasta, and grinders.

goal 4(b) - gather grains for longer-term storage

Our current goal is gathering our longer-term storage.

Specifically - Store Grains.


Grains are one of two main products that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recommends that you store for longer-term storage. (Beans are the other product - but we'll discuss them later.) They recommend that any dried products that you store have 10% or less moisture content and be insect-free.

Wheat is what people typically think of when grains are mentioned, but there are other grains that are equally suitable for longer-term storage. Corn, rice, oats and other grains are great for longer-term storage. We'll be exploring each of these different grains in depth in upcoming posts. These grain products have a storage life of 30 years or more, which is fantastic because you can take a long time to rotate through and replace your supply of grains.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recommends that you store 25 lbs of grains per month per person. That's 225 lbs. for a nine-month supply or 300 lbs. for a 12 month supply. My personal goal is to store between 9 and 12 months of grains per person (added to my three-month supply to make a complete one-year storage). Here is a chart to help you determine how much grain you should store:

Grain Storage Amounts:
*1 person -
25 lbs (1 month) 225 lbs (9 months) 300 lbs (12 months)
*2 people -
50 lbs (1 month) 450 lbs (9 months) 600 lbs (12 months)
*3 people -
75 lbs (1 month) 675 lbs (9 months) 900 lbs (12 months)
*4 people -
100 lbs (1 month) 900 lbs (9 months) 1200 lbs (12 months)
*5 people -
125 lbs (1 month) 1125 lbs (9 months) 1500 lbs (12 months)
*6 people -
150 lbs (1 month) 1350 lbs (9 months) 1800 lbs (12 months)
*7 people -
175 lbs (1 month) 1575 lbs (9 months) 2100 lbs (12 months)

Make a note of the amount of grains that you want to store. I recommend that you write this number down. You can use a spreadsheet, table, or notebook to record and track your longer-term storage inventory. I personally use a doc file. I simply record the total amount we need, how much we have, and how much I still need to buy. It's not elaborate and doesn't have to be.

I would say that originally this was the most daunting home-storage goal for me. For our family, 1125 - 1500 lbs of grains felt like so much that it seemed unattainable. However, when you gather your grains a little at a time, it actually is easier than you think. And remember all of this grain storage isn't just wheat. I personally store wheat, oatmeal, cornmeal, popcorn, pasta and different varieties of rice. As we continue to discuss grain storage, pay attention to the kinds of grains that your family uses. It helps with rotation if you store grains in similar proportion to the amounts you use in your regular meals.

goal 4(a) - choose a storage location

Our current goal is gathering a longer-term storage.

Specifically - Choose a storage location(s) for longer-term storage.


The ideal location for a longer-term storage is dark, cool, dry and rodent-free. Most of us don't have all of these ideal conditions, though. So, choose the best possible location for your storage.

After living in several different conditions and locations around the United States, I personally have located my storage in a garage, in a utility closet, in an attic, under beds, in closets, in kitchen cupboards and currently in an unfinished basement. You might have to get creative in choosing your storage location. Click here to link to a past discussion on creative storage solutions.

Shelves are not necessary for your longer-term storage. In fact, I didn't have any shelves until just a few years ago. You can stack both buckets and cans in boxes. Mylar sacks can be dropped into larger storage containers. Do not place storage items directly on a cement or dirt floor. Unwanted tastes and chemicals can leach into your storage containers. Instead, place items on carpet, slats of wood, shelves, or pallets. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recommends storing all items so that there is some air flow underneath.

This goal isn't a big step. But it is important to have in mind where you can put your storage and realistically how to fit it in your living space.