The significance of keeping survival food is undeniable in any emergency readiness strategy. It can determine whether you perish or survive, especially during calamities, power losses, or other critical situations. This all-inclusive manual delves into the significance of survival food storage, the many choices for storing food, and developing a long-term, self-sufficient food reserve.
The Importance of Survival Food Storage
Having access to food can rapidly turn into a crucial matter during an emergency. It is possible that supermarkets and grocery stores may not be available or reachable, and conventional food distribution networks may be disturbed. Hence, it is imperative to establish a plan for storing survival food that can supply you and your family with the necessary nutrition to endure.
It is crucial to take into account the probable occurrences in your location and the duration of self-reliance when crafting a survival food storage strategy. For instance, if you reside in a region susceptible to natural calamities like earthquakes or hurricanes, it is prudent to secure sustenance that can last for weeks or even months. Conversely, in readiness for a brief emergency like a power disruption, food provisions lasting several days may suffice.
Types of Survival Food Storage
If you want to establish a long-lasting food supply, there exists a variety of food storage alternatives to choose from. The most frequently utilized choices consist of:
- Canned Foods: Canned foods are a great option for survival food storage because they have a long shelf life and can be stored in a cool, dry place. Canned meats, such as tuna, chicken, and beef, are a great source of protein, and canned fruits and vegetables can provide essential vitamins and minerals.
- Dehydrated Foods: Dehydrated foods, such as dried fruits and vegetables, can last for several years when stored properly. They are also lightweight and easy to transport, making them a great option for those who need to evacuate their homes in an emergency situation.
- Freeze-Dried Foods: Freeze-dried foods are a great option for survival food storage because they have a shelf life of several years and retain most of their nutritional value. They are also lightweight and easy to transport, making them a great option for those who need to evacuate their homes in an emergency situation.
- MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat): MREs are pre-packaged meals that are designed for military use, but can also be a great option for survival food storage. They have a shelf life of several years and are designed to provide essential nutrients and energy.
- Jerky: Jerky is a great option for survival food storage because it has a long shelf life and can be stored in a cool, dry place. It’s also easy to transport and can be eaten on its own or used in a variety of recipes.
The History of Survival Food Storage
Throughout centuries of human history, the preservation and storage of food for times of scarcity and emergency have remained a vital component. Whether in ancient civilizations or modern times, individuals have had to devise methods to retain and keep food.
In the past, people utilized methods like drying, salting, and smoking to preserve food and prevent spoilage. These techniques were crucial for ancestors who depended on hunting and gathering for sustenance. As societies advanced and agriculture became prevalent, new preservation methods emerged, such as canning and pickling, which increased the longevity of food.
Amid World War II, food preservation and storage gained heightened importance as countries enforced food and supply rationing for their troops and citizens. The government promoted the cultivation, preservation, and storage of food by individuals in preparation for potential shortages. In the United States, the Victory Gardens initiative urged citizens to cultivate their own gardens and preserve the produce obtained for personal consumption and community needs.
With the advancement of modern technology, fresh modes of keeping food safe were established. In the 60s and 70s, freeze-drying, vacuum sealing, and dehydrating food gained widespread popularity for sustaining survival food storage. These methods could conserve food for extended durations without compromising its nutritional worth.
In our current era of prepping and emergency planning, the significance of survival food storage has escalated. People are recognizing the necessity of having a dependable food supply in the event of natural disasters, power outages, or economic instability. MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) and dehydrated meals that can be stored for extended periods of time are being widely used as they are created to offer vital nutrients and sustenance.
Survival food storage has been an ongoing process throughout human history, adapting from ancient to modern times in response to the need for preserving and storing food during times of scarcity and crisis. As emergency preparedness and prepping gain popularity, the significance of survival food storage has escalated to unprecedented levels. The necessity of having a dependable source of sustenance in emergencies cannot be overstated, as it enables us to endure and flourish during challenging times.
Which Survival Food Storage Products Taste the Best?
Survival food storage items may have varying tastes depending on the brand and type of product, but certain brands and products are recognized for having better flavor than others.
Freeze-dried meals have a taste and texture similar to fresh food owing to the preservation through freezing. Renowned brands like Backpacker’s Pantry and Mountain House take pride in delivering high-quality freeze-dried meals with a great taste.
The taste of dehydrated food may vary depending on the preservation method and the type of food. Nonetheless, some dehydrated foods can still be delicious.
MREs, which are short for Meals, Ready-to-Eat, have a palatable flavor profile and are crafted to offer vital nourishment and stamina, commonly utilized by military personnel and first responders during crises.
It should be kept in mind that personal preferences can differ when it comes to taste. Furthermore, the taste of emergency food storage items may not match that of fresh food. Therefore, it is crucial to take into account aspects such as nutritional content, duration of shelf life, simplicity of preparation, and other factors when selecting emergency food supplies.
Other Survival Foods With Long Shelf Life
Beans
Did you know that beans, which are dried bipolar seeds, are more nutritious than rice and are considered to be one of the best all-around survival foods?
Approximately 15 varieties of beans possess high calorie content and have a long shelf life.
Beans such as adzuki, mung, kidney, pinto, pigeon, cannellini, cranberry, pink, lima, navy, black, black-eyed, black turtle, and freeze-dried split pea have a shelf life of up to thirty years. Conversely, dehydrated soybean can survive for ten to fifteen years.
Boiled adzuki beans offer approximately 294 calories and over 15g of protein per cup, while dehydrated soybean offers around 298 calories and over 20g of protein, making beans an excellent protein source.
On each trip to the store, it’s advisable to purchase 4 to 5 pounds of dried beans and store them in a cool, dim location for future use.
Lentils
Due to their outstanding dietary composition, lentils are considered a highly functional food that provides excellent nutritional value and a delicious taste.
One-pound bags of lentils are a fantastic source of protein. Lentils expand in size while cooking and don’t require presoaking. Boil them in water for around 25 to 30 minutes for a quick and easy meal.
With proper storage, lentils can last for an astonishing 30 years, making them ideal for use during times of famine and severe winter weather. In earlier times, lentils were typically kept in earthenware containers for safekeeping.
You have the option to purchase them pre-packaged in bags or buy them in bulk and transfer them into sealed containers or jars.
Rice
It may be unexpected, but rice is actually one of the most advantageous foods to store for emergencies.
Cooking this grain in various methods is essential for a well-prepared emergency food supply. Among the favored techniques is steaming, which can be accomplished with any stove.
If stored correctly, raw rice can last a significant time period. White rice can remain preserved for up to two years when sealed and stored appropriately. In comparison, brown rice’s shelf life is shorter, with a duration of approximately six months.
Rice is a highly practical selection for accompanying various types of beans.
Canned Fruits & Vegetables
In difficult times, relying solely on carbohydrates or proteins for sustenance will not result in a well-rounded diet. Therefore, the following essential food item on our list is canned fruits and vegetables.
It is widely known that incorporating fruits and vegetables into one’s diet is crucial. However, storing fresh produce for an extended period is challenging as they have a short lifespan. Therefore, in any survival scenario, we suggest relying on canned fruits and vegetables for the necessary nutrients.
If you are purchasing canned fruits, opt for the ones that are packed in water or their natural juice and steer clear of canned fruits with artificial sweeteners, salt, syrup, or sugar.
The variety of canned vegetables available includes corn, peas, green beans, mixed vegetables, potatoes, spinach, carrots, and more. It’s important to ensure that any canned vegetable purchased doesn’t contain oils, sugars, or fats among its ingredients.
Canned fruits and vegetables have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years if stored correctly, but their shelf life may decrease rapidly after being opened, typically lasting only 2 to 7 days.
Flour
It is beneficial to have flour in stock for emergency situations because it is a versatile ingredient that can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods. With the addition of a few other ingredients, one can quickly make dishes such as banana bread, vegan naan, pancakes, and scalloped potatoes.
Regular all-purpose flour, white cake flour, white bread flour, and self-rising flour have the ability to stay fresh for up to 12 months when kept at room temperature. However, the longevity of whole-wheat, whole-grain, and oat flour is slightly less, lasting only 1 to 3 months.
How about considering coconut and almond flour? These substitutes for starchy flours also possess a shelf life of only about 3 months.
A useful option is to store wheat and use a convenient wheat grinder to produce flour as needed.
Pasta
Pasta is an excellent addition to your survival diet as it is both delicious and a rich source of carbohydrates, making it one of the best lightweight foods to include.
Just two primary components, durum wheat semolina, and water, make up the majority of pasta. Durum wheat varies from bread wheat in that it is firmer and has more protein.
Although the size of the pasta may concern certain individuals, there is a vast array of pasta shapes available to select from.
Among the many appropriate shapes of pasta that require minimal storage space are Calamarata, Fusilli, Macaroni, Paccheri, Linguine, Pappardelle, Rotini, Rigatoni, Riccoli and various others. However, Spaghetti is widely considered to be the thinnest and most convenient option for storage purposes.
If left unopened, dried pasta in its packaging can remain edible for a maximum of 24 months; however, once the bag is unsealed, the pasta can still be consumed for up to a year.
Nuts
If you find yourself in a survival scenario, it is crucial to have a sufficient amount of energy. Therefore, it is strongly advised to store nuts as a reserve.
For thousands of years, nuts have been a fundamental component of culinary history due to their versatility, health benefits, and delectable taste.
A variety of well-liked nuts including walnut, pistachio, pine nut, peanut, macadamia, hazelnut, corn nut, coconut, chestnut, cashew, Brazil nut, and almond can be stored in bulk. Nuts offer significant amounts of fiber, fat, and protein sourced from plants.
Despite being high in fats, nuts offer numerous health advantages. They contain ample amounts of selenium, fluoride, zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, manganese, and potassium. This superfood is abundant in antioxidants, which aid in shielding your body from cellular harm.
Nuts can last for up to 12 months if they are stored correctly in containers that are airtight.
Sugar & Salt
Although sugar is not crucial for survival in harsh conditions, it’s beneficial to have it included in your supplies. This is due to the fact that some survival rations can lack flavour. Adding sugar to your tasteless survival food can greatly enhance its flavour. If stored correctly, white sugar has the ability to remain usable for up to 2 years.
Salt, similar to sugar, can enhance the flavor of your emergency food and can also be used as a preservative. To prevent meat from spoiling fast, you can apply salt on it. The shelf life of salt is remarkable with approximately 5 years.
