Learn which foods are best to include in your long-term food storage, how to store them, and other stockpiling tips.
Whether you call it stockpiling or food storage, some foods are better than others when you look out your window while sipping your morning brew and realize the apocalypse started sometime between 1 and 5 a.m.
While others raid the local Safeway, you’ll sit down to a steaming bowl of oatmeal and reconstituted blueberries. This is where having your own emergency food and water becomes a secret weapon for staying healthy. So, let's dive into the world of survival food with a twist, where taste, longevity, and practicality collide.
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6 top types of food to stockpile
1. Canned food
Canned food packs a punch with a long shelf life and ready-to-eat contents. From canned veggies to hearty soups, you can open a can and eat without any other food prep — or combine some canned pasta sauce with canned beef and some dried pasta for a nearly gourmet meal even when you can’t get to the store.
2. Pasta and rice
Carbs are versatile, filling, and they pair perfectly with pretty much anything. Whether you're whipping up a makeshift stir-fry on rice, rehydrating some freeze-dried steak, or creating a pasta masterpiece with canned sauce, these simple staples will keep your belly happy and your spirit fueled.
3. Peanut butter
In the battle against hunger, peanut butter doesn’t disappoint. This versatile spread is a survivalist's best friend. Not only does it taste amazing, but it also packs a serious nutritional punch. Whether you're slathering it on crackers, pairing it with canned fruits, or simply enjoying it straight out of the jar with a spoon, peanut butter will keep you energized and satisfied.
And did you know that you can get dehydrated peanut butter — with a shelf life of up to five years?
4. Dried foods
When it comes to survival food, dried goods are the unsung heroes that deserve a moment in the spotlight.
When we talk dried foods, we mean:
Beans
Fruits
Vegetables
Jerky
Take beans, for example. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and a whole lot of survival mojo. Whether you opt for black beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas, they'll be your trusty companions in creating hearty stews, makeshift burritos, or even a bean dip that will make you the life of the post-apocalyptic party.
Don’t forget dehydrated refried beans — they’re easy to reconstitute and oh, so yummy.
5. Spices and condiments
With the right spices and condiments, you can transform the most mundane meals into culinary masterpieces. A well-stocked spice rack can turn a bland pot of rice into a fragrant curry or a simple can of soup into a taste explosion. Include versatile spices like salt, pepper, chili powder, minced onions, and garlic powder.
6. Sweet stuff
In addition to chocolate and/or baking cocoa, make sure you have a stock of sugar and pectin in your long-term food storage. Sugar is essential to making your preserves; and sugar, cocoa, and coconut oil are essential to making homemade chocolate. Remember to include some pectin if you’ll be making jams and jellies.
How do you store food for long-term storage?
When storing food for long-term storage, focus on three key factors: temperature, moisture, and oxygen. Choose a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, ideally with a consistent temperature below 70°F.
Vacuum seal or can items when you’re able. Use airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This helps prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. Properly label and organize your stored food, rotating older items to the front for consumption.
The first rule of food storage
Rotate. Eat the oldest food first and replace it with new food as a part of a preparedness mindset. Regularly consume, inspect, and/or replace food to maintain a reliable long-term food stockpile.
How do you stock your pantry for a year?
Start small. Stock up for 72 hours of food that you’d actually eat and that you could prepare quickly and easily. Work up to a two week, then three-month food supply. Again, this should be food you like to eat that can be stored a bit longer. Once you feel confident that you could survive on your own for three months, take it to the next step.
Begin working on your one-year food storage by buying foods that store longer, foods that have a 25-year shelf life — in addition to your regular canned goods and other pantry foods. These foods are typically stored in #10 cans or big storage buckets such as those you can get from Augason Farms (coupon code: PREPPERTEAM).
This can include:
Pasta and rice
Dried beans
Grains and seeds
Sugar
Meal kits and soup mixes
Of course, you can’t fit a full year’s worth of food in a typical pantry. These long-term food items should be stored in cool, dark places such as closets, under beds, etc.
Prepper tip: Work on your long-term food storage and cooking tools simultaneously. It’s important that as you acquire food, you also acquire the tools necessary to prepare that food. This includes a manual can opener, wheat grinder, off-grid stove, etc.
Conquer food storage planning
As you face the possibility of natural disasters or other emergencies, remember to embrace the power of dried foods, where beans become protein-packed champions, dried fruits and veggies provide bursts of flavor and nutrients, and spices and condiments ignite a flavor revolution in your meals.
Get started with this food storage list for one year (pdf).