Ready or not, here it comes! And regardless of what "it" is, you'll need food.
Food preservation--methods of keeping food in edible condition for any length of time--has been on the minds and in the hands of many folks for many years.
Perhaps the first humans didn't have to worry about it: fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds probably were available year-round.
But ever since the first apple went bad, people have been trying various ways to save food.
Given the current interest in and concern over natural disasters, man-made emergencies, food additives, and the end of the world, you may be thinking about survival food.
Kits are available ready-made, but what if you want to do it yourself? Maybe you have a vegetable garden or know a great farmers' market close by.
Or you've found a good deal on meat or had an exceptional hunting trip.
Regardless, you need some way to preserve your bounty.
So how do you do it? Canning? Freezing? Dehydrating? Some other method? These four tips can help you decide which technique is right for you.

• Survey your space.
  This includes areas for storing supplies, utensils, and equipment as well as the food that you preserve.
  Is there enough counter space for a dehydrator, pantry space for canners and jars, or cabinet space for freezer containers and wrap?
• Search your schedule.
  How much time do you have to devote to your chosen technique? The amount of time needed for sorting, cleaning, preparing and pre-treating foods, preparing equipment and supplies, and processing the food will vary according to method.
  Do you have time for the entire canning or freezing process, or would the "load it and leave it" food dehydrating technique work better?
• Scrutinize your financial state.
  Certain costs are involved with each method, both initially and on-going.
  For example, initial investments may be a freezer, canner, or food dehydrator.
  On-going expenses include electricity or gas, jars, lids, storage or freezer bags, freezer containers, and paper or plastic wrap.
  
• Study your situation.
  What do you intend to do with the food you preserve? Although that may sound like a strange question to ask, the answer has an important bearing on the food preservation methods you decide to use.
  Do you plan to keep it for years or use it as needed? Will you cook it, eat it as is, spread it on toast? Does it need to be portable? If you're hiking, would it be better to carry jars of canned food, a cooler full of frozen food, or a backpack stuffed with dehydrated food?

Consider space, schedule, state, and situation as your starting point.
There's a place for each of these food preservation methods; you'll likely use more than one.
Whatever you decide to do, be sure it's the right technique for you.