“Opportunity is missed by most people because
it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
—Thomas A. Edison
I have known a lot of people over the years that say they want to get their food storage. Most make an initial attempt. Then an opportunity presents itself to add to or improve their food storage and many don’t take it because of the time and work involved. Those that really want it will reorganize their schedule and do the work. How badly do YOU want to have food storage? What opportunities are YOU missing?
When someone offers you surplus fresh produce are you willing to can, freeze or dehydrate what you can’t eat fresh?
When you have the opportunity to order MANY bags of bulk dry food, do you order it and then make time to dry pack it after it arrives?
When group orders mean unloading EVERYBODY’S order before you can take yours home, do you do it?
When bulk group orders consistently go awry causing schedule changes and or waiting, do you continue to order?
When someone offers free produce in exchange for taking care of their garden while they are on vacation, do you make the time and effort to do it and then preserve the food?
When you can order multiple boxes of fresh produce are you willing to make time to preserve all of it?
Are you willing to grow more than you can eat fresh and preserve the abundance?
Are you willing to glean fields and orchards and preserve the food you glean?
Are you willing to go to U-Pick farms and orchards for the fruit and/or vegetables you want to preserve?
Are you willing to forage for wild berries and other fruit and then preserve them?
Are you willing to take advantage of free (or nearly free) hunting and/or fishing permits?
When a super sale comes to the grocery store, do you allot extra funds and take the time to thoughtfully make a list, shop, unload it and then date it and put it away maybe using space you don’t really want to give up?
Are you willing to build additional storage shelves and/or cabinets to store your food on/in?
When someone offers you canning jars that have been stored in their garage or storage building, do you take them even though it means a lot of scrubbing and washing before they can be used?
Are you willing to search for used storage buckets and make sure they are clean for storing food even if it means multiple soakings and washings?
When driving through a location with a home storage center, Amish or Mennonite stores, or other bulk food buying opportunities, are you willing to take a detour, add time to your trip, give up vehicle space and then preserve it when you get home?
Are you missing opportunities to get or add to your home storage?
(This essay was originally posted May 26, 2014)
