Phoenix Bird

ONE MONTH MENU - CANNED FOOD

Not everyone will purchase MRE's and others will not be interested in storing rice, beans and wheat.

For those who want to set aside regular foods that are able to keep for about a year and provide ease of preparation, variety and balance, I propose this menu...

These items can be purchased from the one-week list below whenever they come on sale and then be added to a plastic bin or two until a month's supply is accumulated. The box can then be stored until needed. We were able to fit a one-month food supply for two in two medium size boxes for a family member we assisted.

Extra food is built in to provide for accidents, extra snacks and surprise day visitors (i.e. family). Used sparingly this could last longer than the times specified.

This menu is for 2 people for one week. After you have set aside enough for one week, try to add enough for a second week, third week and so on. Encourage friends/family members to store at least a one-month supply of non-perishables for Y2K. It will then be available for any other unexpected occurrences that could arise.

~ Green

BREAKFAST
Qty. Unit Item Comments
2 Box Cereal or Instant Flavored Oatmeal Check expiration date and servings per container. Minimum 12 servings/box
7 Cans Canned Fruit 15 oz. Cans
1 Box Powdered Milk Approximately 2 lbs.
1 Box Coffee or Tea Singles More if heavy consumers
2-1/2 Gal. Water For Milk, Coffee/Tea
LUNCH
1 Box Graham Crackers  
1 Jar Peanut Butter  
14 Can Soup, Pasta, Ramen Noodles or Tuna Add small jar of sandwich spread if using tuna
1 Bag Cookies, Pretzels or Chips Check expiration date
1 Can Powdered Lemonade or Drink Mix 8-qt. Cans; Vitamin C fortified
2 Gal. Bottled Water For Lemonade/Drink Mix
SUPPER
14 Each Dinty Moore microwaveable dinners, canned pasta with meat, canned chicken and dumplings, canned beef stew, canned ham >The Dinty Moore comes in at least 6 varieties - shop around. Remove from the package and heat in a saucepan; ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs for canned meals.
14 Can Vegetables/Starches Corn, green beans, peas, carrots, potatoes, baked beans, tomatoes, instant mashed potato packets, boil-in-bag rice or rice packets, etc.
7 Can Fruit or Applesauce  
7 Bottle Soda, juice or water 2-liter
SNACKS
1 Box Ritz Crackers  
1 Can Spray Cheese Spread  
4 4-Pack Pudding or Jell-O Snacks Or bags of candy
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
1 Roll Paper Towels  
14 Each Spoons, Forks, Knives  
1 Pkg. Napkins  
1 Each Salt/Pepper  
1 Bottle Cooking Oil  
1 Lb. Sugar Shaker-type container is handy
1 Roll Aluminum Foil  
1 Roll Saran Wrap  
1 Box Baggies Zip-top variety
1 Box Matches Strike-anywhere if available
2-3 Can Sterno or Safe Heat Check Sam's Club
1 Each Hobo or Camp Stove  
1 Pkg. Diaper Wipes  
30 Each Paper plates  
30 Each Plastic Bowls  
20 Each Styrofoam Cups  
20 Each Plastic Cups  
1 Bottle Dishwashing Liquid  

This diet would be high in sodium, so be cautious if you are on a salt restricted diet. You can/should make substitutions according to your dietary preferences/tastes!

This isn't the least expensive route to go but with careful selection you can pick up most everything on this list on sale sometime this summer. These meals are generally heat-and-eat so they are well-suited for elderly family members.

Happy Eating!

BACK