Putting Away and Storing Grocery Items Safely In A Pandemic

It didn't hit me in the beginning hearing about this sickness this virus that was killing so many people in China could affect us here in America.  I was saddened and praying for them and then it hit Italy, that hit home.  We definitely began to hear things daily of it and how we would be about 2 weeks behind them.

I have a relative who tried to tell us early on that we'd better start preparing for this and it was serious.  He travels or did over there extensively.  I didn't take him as seriously as I should have and he's a smart man that I love.  He was right this is serous!

Even after saying that I guess I did start preparing for something to happen before some others and was told I was crazy to do all that. Didn't stop this stubborn lady I kept on preparing anyway and who knows if it has helped or not?  I sure don't know and I've always said if I get this thing somebody or something coming in will be the cause for sure!

Talking showing pictures today about opening, throwing away, and storing food and other supplies inside the house.

Right away I thought well if human hands can touch a product this mess may carry on through many hands that touch from production down to stores then shoppers and on and on.

I have had box after box delivered and left them on the porch for days to kill what may have been on them. At one point I laughingly thought, "hey if they only knew these boxes have toilet paper and paper towels in them." I'm kidding but I did think about it.

We had to shop in that way because the stores were sold out and still are for things we want or need. I've never in my lifetime seen so many outages.  I didn't order the maximum on any item so others could also have some.

STANDS TO REASON IF WE CAN TOUCH IT WE CAN SPREAD THE VIRUS IF WE HAVE IT! WE MUST ALL ACT AS IF WE HAVE IT SO AS NOT TO SPREAD IT TO OTHERS. ALSO, WE MUST ACT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE MAY HAVE IT WAS WELL.

Everything you see in their original manufactured containers has been wiped down with disinfectant wipes or the rest have been taken from the boxes or bags and put into other containers.

Be sure to wipe every can and container

I have to put the cereal top shelf that is in its bag still in a storage container, but that is safe until then

The tea boxes were in an outer sealed container, but they will be emptied soon

I so like Lock n Lock containers, they keep things fresher and crisper than any I've ever seen. You can see I've emptied the dried beans, rice etc.into other containers.

I'm glad the Lock n Lock comes in many different sized. Flour grains other items can be stored more safely in them. Even something as simple as a bag of flour needs to be opened and put into other safe containers

I left the instant oatmeal in the packets because they came in larger outer boxes that were thrown away

Yes, I even broke down a few weeks ago and bought Nutri Grain Bars, not that I think they are good for you because I really don't, but in a disaster, you buy things you don't normally buy. You have to survive right?

Speaking of things you don't normally buy, this container and the bags are filled with junk chips and candy. Cokes and water are in back mind you each can has been wiped with disinfectant wipes

INFORMATIVE VIDEO 

The Following Video, a cousin of mine posted just today.  It is filled with some pretty good ideas. even though I also removed my fruits and vegetables from their plastic wrappings and bags then washed those as well my broccoli and cauliflower I did wash right before use but all the wrappings were removed.

MY TIPS, not that I'm an expert by any means only sharing what has kept me busy for a month. 

TREAT DELIVERED PACKAGES

• ORDERED ITEMS USE THESE STEPS:

1. LEAVE THE BOXES OUTSIDE  TO SIT FOR 24 TO 48 HOURS ***UNLESS YOU HAVE PERISHABLE FOOD INSIDE...THEN OPEN DISCARD OF OUTER BOXES TAKE FOOD INSIDE TO STORE PROPERLY.
2. CAREFULLY OPEN AND LEAVE THE OUTER BOXES, WRAPPING, BUBBLE TISSUE ETC OUTSIDE.
3. REMOVE ANY OTHER UN NEEDED  PLASTIC THAT MAY BE COVERING YOUR ITEMS.
4. TAKE INSIDE AND DO THE FOLLOWING IF NEEDED
   

   STEPS FOR EXTRA SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN YOUR HOME

• CAREFULLY OPEN OUTER BOXES-BAGS
• BE SURE TO QUICKLY DISPOSE OF OUTER CONTAINERS-DON'T SHAKE THE IT MAY SPREAD ANY CONTAMINATION IF THERE IS ANY.
• PLACE PRODUCTS INTO OTHER CONTAINERS THAT WILL KEEP THEM FRESH
• DATE WITH SOME SORT OF LABELING SO YOU CAN USE IN A TIMELY FASHION
• CONTAINERS NOT SEE THROUGH? LABEL THE CONTAINER SO YOU KNOW WHAT IS INSIDE
• CANNED OR BOTTLED GOODS WIPE WITH DISINFECTANT WIPES DO NOT WIPE OVER AND OVER YOU WILL WANT TO LEAVE IT WET SO THAT IT CAN DRY ON NOT BE WIPED OFF WITH CONSTANT WIPING.
• SPRAY AND WIPE WITH ANY HOUSEHOLD DISINFECTANT AND WIPE 
• OR USE LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY LET EACH DRY ON ITS OWN TO KEEP THE DISINFECTANT ON THE PRODUCT.
• NONE OF THAT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD USE THIS 1/3 CUP BLEACH PER GALLON OF WATER.
• DISPOSE OF WIPES OR WASH REAL CLOTHS IF USING THOSE. 
• CLEAN ALL SURFACES AFTERWARDS
• BE SURE ALL PACKAGING MATERIALS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUTSIDE OF HOME FOR SAFETY.

FRESH MEATS AND PRODUCE

1. Open and dispose of all store packaging. Place in new bags or containers for storing in or freezing your items.
2. Wash all produce well and store in other containers or refrigerator compartments

IN CLOSING

Ignore my pantry these are unusual times and I had just started to de-hoard it only to have to fill it up again! Oh well, gotta do what we gotta do, right?

Tomorrow I have a new Spotlight Story to share a hometown friend who is an attorney and excellent woodworker! It should be good!

Take care, everybody!

May God keep each of you safe.

You can find some of the containers I purchased from Lock N Lock here if you're interested. QVC also has them.

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