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Emergency Food Storage: 22 Best Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency

1/12/2015

21 Comments

 
Compiled by Survival ready Blog Team
Every other week, it seems there’s a new fringe group forecasting the end of the world as we know it. But even for those who don’t believe the apocalypse is imminent, there are plenty of reasons to worry about the future. The employment market isn't recovering at a very rapid pace, and for many, the threat of unemployment and job loss is real.

And, of course, rising food prices have been a hot topic as a result of natural disasters, unexpected weather patterns, and inflation. With these very real concerns weighing on your mind, you don’t have to be a survivalist to see the value of increased self-reliance. One of the best strategies to prepare for an uncertain economic future is to create a long-term emergency food storage system.

Why Should You Consider Emergency Food Storage?
Having non-perishables on hand for use in a variety of situations is a good way to increase your food security. It can provide a safety net designed to catch you if you feel you are about to fall due to circumstances out of your control. Here are a few suggestions for food staples that you can stock up on. As always, though, it is a good idea to adjust your storage to fit your family’s needs:
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Via Real Simple

​These items have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months to keep things fresh. And don’t forget to have a can opener on hand at all times—all that food won’t be of any use if you can’t open it.

​
Peanut butter
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A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Unless the jar indicates otherwise, you don’t have to refrigerate after opening.

Nuts and trail mixes
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Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re healthful and convenient for snacking. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.


Whole-wheat crackers
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Crackers are a good replacement for bread and make a fine substitute when making sandwiches. Due to their higher fat content, whole-wheat or whole-grain crackers have a shorter shelf life than their plain counterparts (check the box for expiration dates), but the extra fiber pays off when you’re particularly hungry. Consider vacuum-packing your crackers to prolong their freshness.

Cereal
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Choose multigrain cereals that are individually packaged so they don’t become stale after opening.

Granola bars and power bars
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Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates. “You can get more energy from carbohydrates without [eating] tons of food,” says Andress.

Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins
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In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. “Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories

Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey


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Generally lasting at least two years in the pantry, canned meats provide essential protein. Vacuum-packed pouches have a shorter shelf life but will last at least six months, says Diane Van, manager of the USDA meat and poultry hotline

Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas
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When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients.

Canned soups and chili

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Soups and chili can be eaten straight out of the can and provide a variety of nutrients. Look for low-sodium options.


Bottled water

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Try to stock at least a three-day supply--you need at least one gallon per person per day. “A normally active person should drink at least a half gallon of water each day,” says Andress. “The other half gallon is for adding to food and washing.”

Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade
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The electrolytes and carbohydrates in these drinks will help you rehydrate and replenish fluid when water is scarce.
Via Real Simple

In addition to these supplies, did you know that with proper storage techniques, you can have a lifetime supply of certain foods? Certain foods can stand the test of time, and continue being a lifeline to the families that stored it. Knowing which foods last indefinitely and how to store them are you keys to success.

The best way to store food for the long term is by using a multi-barrier system. This system protects the food from natural elements such as moisture and sunlight, as well as from insect infestations. Typically, those who store bulk foods look for inexpensive items that have multi-purposes and will last long term.
 

Listed below are 11 food items that are not only multi-purpose preps, but they can last a lifetime!


Via Ready Nutrition
Honey

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Honey never really goes bad. In a tomb in Egypt 3,000 years ago, honey was found and was still edible. If there are temperature fluctuations and sunlight, then the consistency and color can change. Many honey harvesters say that when honey crystallizes, then it can be re-heated and used just like fresh honey. Because of honey’s low water content, microorganisms do not like the environment.

Uses: curing, baking, medicinal, wine (mead).

Salt
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Although salt is prone to absorbing moisture, it’s shelf life is indefinite. This indispensable mineral will be a valuable commodity in a long term disaster and will be a essential bartering item.

Uses: curing, preservative, cooking, cleaning, medicinal, tanning hides.

Sugar
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Life would be so boring without sugar. Much like salt, sugar is also prone to absorbing moisture, but this problem can be eradicated by adding some rice granules into the storage container.

Uses: sweetener for beverages, breads, cakes, preservative, curing, gardening, insecticide (equal parts of sugar and baking powder will kill cockroaches).

Wheat
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Wheat is a major part of the diet for over 1/3 of the world. This popular staple supplies 20% of daily calories to a majority of the world population. Besides being a high carbohydrate food, wheat contains valuable protein, minerals, and vita­mins. Wheat protein, when balanced by other foods that supply certain amino acids such as lysine, is an efficient source of protein.

Uses: baking, making alcohol, livestock feed, leavening agent.

Dried corn
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Essentially, dried corn can be substituted for any recipe that calls for fresh corn. Our ancestors began drying corn because of it’s short lived season. To extend the shelf life of corn, it has to be preserved by drying it out so it can be used later in the year.

Uses: soups, cornmeal, livestock feed, hominy and grits, heating source (do a search for corn burning fireplaces).

Baking soda
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This multi-purpose prep is a must have for long term storage.

Uses: teeth cleaner, household cleaner, dish cleaner, laundry detergent booster, leavening agent for baked goods, tarnish remover.


Instant coffee, tea, and cocoa
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Adding these to your long term storage will not only add a variety to just drinking water, but will also lift morale. Instant coffee is high vacuum freeze dried. So, as long as it is not introduced to moisture, then it will last. Storage life for all teas and cocoas can be extended by using desiccant packets or oxygen absorbing packets, and by repackaging the items with a vacuum sealing.

Uses: beverages, flavor additions to baked goods.


Non-carbonated soft drinks
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Although many of us prefer carbonated beverages, over time the sugars break down and the drink flavor is altered. Non-carbonated beverages stand a longer test of time. And, as long as the bottles are stored in optimum conditions, they will last. Non-carbonated beverages include: vitamin water, Gatorade, juices, bottled water.

Uses: beverages, flavor additions to baked goods.


White rice
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White rice is a major staple item that preppers like to put away because it’s a great source for calories, cheap and has a long shelf life. If properly stored this popular food staple can last 30 years or more.

Uses: breakfast meal, addition to soups, side dishes, 
alternative to wheat flour

Bouillon products
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Because bouillon products contain large amounts of salt, the product is preserved. However, over time, the taste of the bouillon could be altered. If storing bouillon cubes, it would be best repackage them using a food sealer or sealed in mylar bags.

Uses: flavoring dishes

Powdered milk
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Powdered milk can last indefinitely, however, it is advised to prolong it’s shelf life by either repackaging it for longer term storage, or placing it in the freezer. If the powdered milk develops an odor or has turned a yellowish tint, it’s time to discard.

Uses: beverage, dessert, ingredient for certain breads, addition to soup and baked goods.

Via Ready Nutrition


P.S: There several ways to improve your food supply security. One way is "aquaponics", which is a system of aquaculture where the waste produced by fish supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. It sounds very complex, and it can be, so research is critical if you want to get started. Here's a course that significantly cuts the learning curve and simplifies the whole process of getting going and maintaining an "aquaponics" system. Learn More Here
21 Comments
Jennell
7/28/2016 05:38:28 pm

What about storing seeds that could then be sprouted giving you tons of vitamins and the taste of some fresh produce.

Reply
M. J.
7/29/2016 06:59:25 am

Comments more on point than the original, with exception of the last 11.

Reply
scott
7/31/2016 08:19:42 pm

Reply
Aaron
10/21/2016 02:43:35 pm

If you are starving you will not give a thought to Organics or GMOs.

Reply
Chris
11/20/2016 09:46:29 am

I agree with Aaron. If there is a disaster and the shtf are really going to be worried about minor things like MSG and things that in the long run might seem important to you or are you going to be more intrested in feeding your empty stomach? If your child is hungry and you can't get something that is organically grown, are you not going to feed the child what ever is avilable? It's called Survival for a reason.

Reply
DC
10/11/2017 09:49:09 am

Great answer

Reply
Marilyn
8/21/2018 08:28:13 pm

Starving kids will eat anything if they are hungry enough

Reply
Carolyn link
2/7/2017 12:13:39 am

In reply to one of the comments above....Although I am fairly new to this, I believe that I have read that the GMO seeds don't allow you to plant seeds from the plants in order to have the plants the next year and after. I also think that I have read that the GMO seeds do not last more than a couple of years.

Reply
Kevin
4/6/2017 06:34:36 pm

I'm sorry but this list isn't all that great. why would you want bottled drinks? Drink powder takes up less space and doesn't expire. Uncooked pinto beans or any kind of beans are the way to go for protein. Canned goods are great if you never plan to be on foot

Reply
Tami
4/17/2017 06:26:46 am

Totally agree, Kevin!

Reply
Linda
6/24/2017 10:29:02 am

There is no guarantee that you will have enough clean drinking water. Boiling water to make it drinkable uses time & valuable resources that may not be available. And anyone caring for children may find it easier to manage with a few ready made options like bottled drinks.

Reply
Tanya
10/18/2017 09:18:12 pm

Uncooked beans take a long time to cook. They require a good amount of water, which is something you want to be able to drink vs cooking to much with, and the amount of heat is another thing. Canned beans would be better for a serious emergency if you had to leave your home, they are heavier though so pack accordingly . If you're stuck at home then dry beans may work. Black and red beans cook in half the time and digest better than pinto.

Reply
DJ
8/26/2018 01:09:55 am

Best to cook the beans now and then use a dehydrator. Seems weird, but, dehydrated cooked beans take little time or water when needed.

Debbie Bird
2/26/2020 06:11:45 am

I can my pinto beans in quart jars. You can buy dried beans really cheap, cook them and can them. They are need to be reheated or even eaten cold out of the jar in an emergency. Great source of protein.

M
1/24/2019 03:58:08 pm

You have soak dried beans in precious water (which there might not be enough of) & sometimes for hours & then use more precious water for cooking the beans which also takes a longer time using precious time & fuel. If you're in survival mode you might not have time or the resources for all of that. Yes powder drinks are nice, but like the dried beans it takes additional water & they do go bad. Powder drinks mostly come in cans so less space? Yes you can buy in individual packages, but again you need water for them. I'll take canned & bottled goods whenever possible & supplement them with easy to use pouch items (which have a shorter shelf life) over dried beans & powdered drinks any day. I say have both. I know people who hike & hunt that carry both canned & bottled items & they go out for days at a time. Finding clean water on foot isn't usually as easy as some people think it is.

Reply
Debbie link
3/26/2018 12:10:48 am

Appears that some of you know what you're talking about so maybe you can answer my question. When survival supplies are stored in plastic trash cans do you keep the cans outside? I'm wondering if food items are affected by temperature changes? Thanks, Debbie.

Reply
Stephan
10/3/2018 08:51:26 am

Not so much temperature as humudity. Unless it’s a liquid and it’s going to freeze and unfreeze. Another problem outdoors is insects or bears or raccoons or thieves.

Reply
Stephan
10/3/2018 08:46:43 am

Not sure about gatorade. Never drank one and never plan on it. Also don’t really need a ca opener. I can open a can with a butter knife or even a spoon if I had to. If you have a can and your hungry, you’ll figure it out.

Reply
Tony F link
1/6/2019 10:21:22 am

Seems like a pretty good list. While bottled drinks might not be ideal, at least they guarantee you have something to drink. Powdered drinks are great but don't do much good if you don't have anything to mix them with. Might as well have both.

Reply
John Hendrickson
9/24/2019 02:52:02 pm

We all know the need for speed when preparing for emergencies. Looks like My Patriot Supply is now offering a guaranteed 2 day delivery for all their orders. This would give time for one to prepare the home without having to hit the stores for food and water filtration items. No extra cost either. Two days is fast. Details here: My Patriot Supply Announces Guaranteed 2-Day Delivery on All Survival Supplies

https://www.prweb.com/releases/my_patriot_supply_announces_guaranteed_2_day_delivery_on_all_survival_supplies/prweb16577605.htm

Reply
Elbert Jones
8/27/2020 05:48:18 am

A lot of the food you mentioned ( rice; bouillon,and granola bars) should be repackaged in vacuum sealed bags.

Reply



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