From Depression-Era Staple to Modern Pantry Essential: The Power of Oats

Posted by Ola Griffin on Aug 22nd 2024

Oats - 1 People for 1 Year

Oats

OATMEAL WAS A STAPLE FOOD FOR FAMILIES DURING THE DEPRESSION

A friend once shared, "My father often told us that in the early years of the Depression, he ate oatmeal for every meal." My own father’s family lost their Oklahoma farm to the Dust Bowl and the Depression. They journeyed to central California, crammed into two vehicles with 22 others, to work the fields—much like in The Grapes of Wrath. They were incredibly poor. Hard times teach us valuable lessons; I hope you take steps now so that your tough times won’t be as severe."

I can’t imagine eating oatmeal for every meal, but if I was hungry enough I would- especially if it was all I could provide for my children.

Stocking up on basic foods that can last for decades is not only simple, but affordable. I often hear people say they don’t know where to start—well, breakfast is a great place to begin.

It's recommended to store 25 lbs. of oats per person per year. So, let’s see what that looks like:

A half cup of oats is a serving for one person. A large canister of oatmeal typically provides enough to feed two people for a month, not by eating it daily, but by enjoying it a few times a week—30 servings in total, or 15 servings per person. So while 25 lbs of oats might seem like a lot, it averages out to just over 2 lbs per month. One canister, which holds about 15 cups, is sufficient for two people eating oats three times a week, as a portion size of ¾ cup dry per person per meal totals about 18 cups per month.

To build up your long-term food storage easily, buy one canister of Old-Fashioned Oats each time you shop. In just a few weeks, you'll have enough for a year’s supply for one person. As of 8/15/2024, a 2 lb 10 oz (42 oz) canister of Walmart’s Old-Fashioned Oats costs around $3.89. For a bit more, you can get just over 8.5 canisters of the name brand, so rounding up to 9 canisters will give you a solid stash. Oats have a long shelf life, so consider getting a three-month supply for your family and rotating it to keep your pantry well-stocked.

BENEFIT OF OATS

Oats have high levels of antioxidants

Improved blood flow
Reduces inflammation and itching
Improves insulin response and reduces blood sugar
Provides vitamins and minerals
Improves cholesterol
Promotes healthy bacteria in the digestive tract
Reduces the risk of asthma
Relieves constipation

For long-term storage, use PackFreshUSA's Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers to keep your oats fresh and protected. These bags provide an airtight seal that helps prevent moisture and pests from affecting your food. Simply transfer your oats into the Mylar bags and use oxygen absorbers to extend their shelf life even further.

Click on link below to print your own "One Year Worth of Food Storage for One Person" chart:

One Year Worth of Food Storage for One Person

Video:
1 Person, 1 Year: OATS

Recipes

Making sure you have oats in your long-term food storage is crucial. Oats are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from crumbles and granola to breakfast staples and cookies. To help you make the most of your oats, here are some fun recipes to "Oat it up!"

Peanut Butter Oat Pancake

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Pancakes

1 ¾ cup Rolled Old Fashioned Oats

½ cup apple sauce

1 egg

¾ c (milk of choice)

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

¼ c peanut butter

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Butter for cooking and topping if desired.

Place all the wet ingredients into the blender and add the dry ingredients. Cover and blend till smooth. To a hot skillet or pan add a few tablespoons of butter and I did ⅓ cup batter to the pan. Cook low-medium heat on one side until you see the edges start to look done. Flip them over.

These are a denser pancake so a few will go a long way. Add the topping of your choice with a drizzle of syrup. They were so good. I love adding fresh berries on top with a drizzle of maple syrup.

oatmeal cookies healthier

Healthier Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

A cross between carrot cake and oatmeal cookies

Preheat oven to 375˚

2/3 c. coconut oil

1 c. honey

Mix with electric mixer

2 c. grated carrots

2 eggs

Add and mix. Mix together dry ingredients:

1 c. flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 to 2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Add dry ingredients to carrot mix

3 c. oats

1 c. raisins

1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix in. Drop onto parchment paper 2 inches apart. Flatten with a fork. Bake until golden brown, about 15 min.

NOTES: You can use butter instead of coconut oil and any dried fruit in place of raisins. You can also use 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 all-purpose flour.

Coconut flakes added.

No-Bake Energy Bites

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. ground flax seed

1/2 c. crunchy peanut butter

1/3 c. honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix together, roll into 24 balls. Arrange on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 1 hour.

Add any dried fruit, or nuts.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites

2 ¼ c Old Fashioned Oats

¼ c protein powder (vanilla) can substitute almond or oat flour

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

¾ c puree pumpkin

2-3 tablespoons honey

Pinch of salt

Combine pumpkin and honey.

In a large bowl add the rest of the ingredients, combine.

Stir in the pumpkin/honey mix. Mix well to allow the oats to get coated. Use a scoop to make 1 inch balls. Makes about 2 dozen. Store in the freezer or fridge. These can be very crumbly, but so good. I did add mini chocolate chips, but that is optional.

The bites did fall apart but the flavor was amazing. The pumpkin was so yummy, definately a must have. This would be great on ice-cream or as a crumble on apples.

See other blogs and video on the 1 Person for 1 Year Food Storage:

What to Store For 1 Person for 1 Year - Cooking Essentials - PackFreshUSA

What to Store For 1 Person for 1 Year - Beans - PackFreshUSA

Pasta Prep: How Much to Store? - PackFreshUSA