Dry-pack for the future

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - One group met Saturday for something a bit unique. They met to prepare food for the future.
    
You never know what each day could bring.
    
But for one group of Terre Haute people, they're going to be prepared.
    
Twice a year, members of the community get together to "dry pack" food.

“Periodically, we get together and we dry pack any good that is dry,” said Olivia Goulding, organizer.
    
That includes wheat, rice, berries, and beans for some examples.
    
You pack them in cans or mylar bags. Then you seal them.
    
That food can then be stored for up to 30 years.
   
We spoke with one canner who says she does this in order to always have a back-up plan.

“It's a good preparedness thing to do for a lot of reasons,” said Goulding. “It's a great way if you're like a couponer or you get good deals, but you don't want it to go to waste or go bad.”
    
Goulding even let us in on a little "canning secret".

“There's a small oxygen absorber that goes in each can and that's the trick to making the product last so long,” said Goulding.

Goulding said the prices of food can be volatile, so it's good to stock up while it's still cheap.
    
Then you never have to worry where your next meal is coming from.

“We have downturns in the economy both through the nation and just personally. Whether it be loss of employment things like that,” said Goulding.
    
She even cited this method as a way to prepare for natural disasters.    
    
The group meets at periodically at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and says anyone from the community is welcome.
    
For more information, you can head to their Facebook page .