Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Protecting the Food Supply


Protecting the food supply is one of my most important jobs as a homemaker.  It involves so many aspects of economy.  Aspects that I have had to develop over the last 22 years.

The biggest part of this job is shopping for food. Looking for deals, using coupons, writing a menu and making a list takes time. Going to more than one store is also a good idea, thus shopping the sale ads.  I admit that I do not do this as often as I should.  One of my excuses being that we have too small of a small freezer.  One day I hope to have a separate freezer in the garage again.  Another excuse being that I dislike shopping.  I really need to work on this attitude.  I realize that I am blessed to have the resources to go to different stores to seek out bargains.

Another big part of protecting the food supply is rotating the food that I buy.  I have a dark, small, but deep pantry.  It is so easy to put things in and forget that I have them.  It is also easy to open a new item before using up an old of the same item unless I keep a watchful eye on things in the pantry.  At the beginning of the year, I took everything out of the pantry and reorganized.  I also updated my family on the new arrangement so that they would be able to help maintain order.  So far, so good!

Cooking the food might seem like a no-brainer part of protecting the food supply.  How many times do I buy something and then forget to make it before it goes bad?  Vegetables usually fall into this category.  I really hate tossing produce.  I have also been known to buy something because it is a bargain and then have no plan as for how to use it.

Storing the food properly is also crucial to protecting the food supply.  When I get home from a shopping trip, I must put things into the freezer that will be used later in the week.  I must make sure that leftover food is used up or frozen.  Eating leftovers cuts down on waste only if they are indeed eaten.

Reducing waste is a top priority and a big job.  Because I have the privilege of staying home to care for my family, the job falls to me.  It helps us stay out of the drive through, too!

3 comments:

  1. You are such a good helpmeet! I usually enjoy shopping (esp. if the girls are with), but I ebb & wane with meal planning -- it's often a last-minute throw-together, but I'm getting good at it, haha. That kills me too when I have to throw veggies out, esp. kale or broccoli that I paid $ for at the health food store and had looked so forward to having soon, but forgot.

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  2. Jenn, I love this. I have ups and downs with food. Times where I do great and times where I am wasteful. I don't mean to be wasteful, but I am sure it is because my focus on food and frugality and thankfulness is not strong enough.
    xo
    Lynn

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  3. This is a great inspirational post. I struggle with shopping, too, and need to watch my attitude also.

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