Letters To The Editor

Dear Editor,

Your recent article about food storage mentions “Mylar bags.” Some years ago I had occasion to do a little research on food grade plastic storage bags and in the local supermarket came across very large plastic bags manufactured by a vendor of sandwich-sized and larger food bags for the kitchen.

I contacted the manufacturer to inquire if the very large bags were food grade. They replied that “to keep costs down” all of their bags were fabricated from the same food-safe material and were food safe. The bags are known as ZipLock® “Big Bags” and are 32” x 28” and have a seal at the top. The large bags are very heavy weight material (maybe 10 mil or thicker) and sold in small quantities (maybe 5 or 10 to a box), and consequently not very expensive and also easy to find in the same supermarket aisle as regular food storage bags.

I used to get my food-grade plastic buckets, with lids free, from Dunkin Donuts, but more recently they charge a nominal amount for them, a buck or two each. These buckets contained frosting or jam and need to be scrubbed clean before use.

Some hardware stores sell new, unused paint cans with tight fitting lids into which goods packaged in food grade bags can be stored. When the lid is hammered down they are air tight. Caution should be exercised to use only cans not painted on the inside as I don’t know what kind of paint they might use. These gallon-sized cans sell for only a couple of dollars each and can be labeled on the outside and stacked. I’d enclose each filled can in a sealed plastic bag to protect it from rusting. These paint cans are also an ideal means for storing ammunition or reloading supplies in an airtight atmosphere and each is capable of containing an amount of ammunition which is not too heavy to carry.

Hope this helps someone!

Dear SS,

Thanks so much for those hints! I’m sure there are plenty of our subscribers who can make good use of your information. When using the paint cans for storage outside of a temperature-controlled environment (or any storage container for that matter), a moisture-absorbent material might be called for (such as a silica packet) to handle any condensation issues. We appreciate it when our readers write in to share the things they’ve learned in order to help others out. God bless and thanks!

The Editor

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Dear Editor,

I just wanted to comment on your “find a friend” editorial from September 24^th. While I agree with all of what you said, I did want to add to the subject if you don’t mind.

The word I would use is caution.

The Bible teaches us that Christians used to draw half of the fish symbol in the dirt to see if the were talking to a friend or foe. What I mean is, you should want like minded people around you as there is safety in numbers, but at the same time, you have to beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. What you share and how much you share is you’re own business, but history has taught us a few lessons which we would be wise to learn:

1. When the world falls apart or at least breaks down a bit, people who you thought were your friends are now your enemy. The grasshopper and the ant story comes to mind. People who you let know that you have supplies will want you to share all that you have because they did not prepare for the situation. If you have a temporary situation (like a hurricane), you might indeed share all that you have to help. On the other hand, if social breakdown has happened, you don’t really know how long there will be no food. And if you have shared with too many too much, they will come and expect you to give, not what you want but all of what you have. People change in extreme situations. For example a person who would never steal can become a thief if they are hungry enough. And it does not matter how much you and your family have given up to be prepared, those who did not store up for bad times will want (as our president believes) a redistribution of wealth.

2. People change (usually) for the worse when the chips are down. You do have people who rise to the occasion, but I am afraid that is the exception to the rule.

3. In our current situation, our government has put a wedge into our society. They have said that those who have something have gained it illegally somehow and that you are not entitled to have it (the 99% vs 1%). There exists today families that have been on welfare for three generations or more. They have the mentality that someone owes them everything.

So once again, caution is the word.

Dear DL,

Very eloquently put and you’re absolutely right. We should all remember the admonition of World War II – “loose lips sink ships.” We must be discerning and wise. In a SHTF situation, where all the chips are down, an 80-year-old grandmother will kill for food.

Thank you for your wonderful letter and God bless you!

The Editor

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