I am preparing to upgrade my cold storage room to make it more effective. Food is the foundation.

I grow a lot of gourmet (and chemical free) root vegetables. Our potatoes are unlike anything you can buy in a (just-in-time supply chain dependent) supermarket.

I also have some century old varieties that you can't buy anywhere. One is a "keeper" that will last for eight months in proper storage; since this family varietal it should not be lost to history, I plant a dozen plants each year. My sister is doing the same.

Also, all of these are viable seed -- they have not been chemically stunted -- and the leftovers will grow vigorously next year. I watch the potato farmers in my area, and the spray truck is in constant operation.

My old house had a perfect cold store in the well room.

My current house is generally too modern (read: useless). But there is a corner, under a basement stairwell, with two sides of concrete against the ground. I'm going to crib in a frame that I can cover with foam, plywood, blankets, whatever, to keep the hot out and the cold in.

What are you doing to ensure you have food for the long winter?