To ensure the preservation of your long-term food storage, it is important to consider the potential type of emergency you may face. If you reside in an area prone to earthquakes, having numerous glass jars placed on a high shelf in your pantry may not be advisable. Similarly, if you live in a flood-prone area, storing your food supply in cardboard boxes on a ground floor is not the most suitable option. Additionally, if there is a possibility of evacuation, it is wise to avoid storing heavy cans.
After selecting an appropriate location for your food storage, it is now time to strategize about its contents. If your children are of suitable age, involve them in this decision-making process.
Water
While protein bars and elaborate freeze-dried meals can enhance your readiness, it is crucial not to overlook the utmost vital necessity: water. Although you can last over three weeks without food, sustaining yourself for more than a few days requires access to safe drinking water.
Make sure to store a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. Remember, you won’t be drinking a whole gallon yourself every day—you’ll also need water for cleaning and cooking purposes. To properly store your water, refrain from using transparent containers and ensure that your water containers are kept out of direct sunlight to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Water should be stored in a cool and dark location, such as the back of a pantry.
While it is acceptable for temperatures to vary to some extent, it is advisable to avoid placing water storage containers on cement surfaces. Plastic has the tendency to absorb smells and substances, and consuming liquids that have come into contact with your garage floor is not desirable.
Indeed! If you intend to consume water that has been stored for a period of time, it is advisable to transfer it between two glasses in order to aerate the water and improve its flavor.
Food
If you are satisfied with the amount of water you have stored, you should then consider making a plan for your food supply. Although purchasing grains such as wheat, rice, and oats in large quantities may seem like a tempting (and cost-effective) choice for creating an emergency food reserve, it is advisable to opt for this approach only if you are confident in your cooking skills.
Having no clue on how to prepare a five-gallon bucket of wheat can put you in a distressing situation during emergencies.
Rather than that, opt for snacks and recipes that you and your family already relish, and consider these queries: Can it be stored without refrigeration? Can it be consumed without the need for cooking? Is it simple to prepare? (Bear in mind that you can replace numerous fresh ingredients commonly used in a recipe with shelf-stable alternatives, such as powdered milk or canned meat.)
Should each of these questions be answered affirmatively, it should be included in your emergency food storage inventory. In times of emergencies, when stress is high, it is ideal to have familiar foods readily available. Minimizing unexpected elements in a disaster scenario leads to improved outcomes.
When determining your purchases, take dietary requirements into consideration. Aim for a suitable mix of carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy while keeping any dietary restrictions in mind, for yourself or family members. It is crucial to avoid any illness during an emergency. Moreover, remember to include a food plan for infants and pets as well.
Cooking
Although it is possible to consume canned food without heating it, it may not be preferable to rely solely on cold food during an extended emergency. Therefore, it is essential to devise a cooking strategy. Outdoor cooking appliances such as propane stoves, grills, and campfires offer a convenient solution; however, their usage is contingent upon favorable weather conditions.
It is essential to never use an outdoor cooking device indoors due to the potential danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you must prepare food inside, consider using a fireplace. It is preferable that your emergency food supply consists of items which require minimal cooking and can be heated instead. To warm your food, alternatives like a fondue pot, chafing dish, or a warming tray heated by candles can be utilized. For an effortless and swift cleanup, a low-cost disposable chafing dish set can be employed.
Before cooking canned food, ensure that the can is properly cleaned to eliminate any residual germs or bacteria. Additionally, remember to open the can while cooking to allow steam to be released.
Make sure to maintain cleanliness by keeping your cooking and eating utensils clean wherever cooking takes place. Keep a spare box of garbage bags alongside your food storage to ensure a clean living area and proper disposal of empty containers and leftover food, preferably outside.
Food safety
It’s important to understand that emergency food safety extends beyond perishable items in your fridge and freezer. Even though nonperishable food is named as such, it can also spoil and pose risks if not consumed with caution. Even if the food inside appears to be fine, it is crucial not to consume food from damaged cans (such as those that are rusted, swollen, dented, etc.). To protect your food from rodents and pests, ensure that all your food is stored in airtight containers. Additionally, keep in mind that once opened, dry canned food is only good for a duration of 10-15 days.
If your home has suffered from a flood, all items that have been in contact with floodwaters should be discarded, except for commercially-canned food that remains undamaged. However, before consuming any food from these cans, ensure their thorough disinfection by washing with warm water and soap, followed by either boiling them in water for two minutes or sanitizing with a bleach and water solution for fifteen minutes. Consume the food in these cans at the earliest opportunity.
If a fire occurs, it is advisable to dispose of any food that may have been impacted since fires create specific risks like toxic fumes that can contaminate food, even if it has been kept in a refrigerator or freezer.
If you have any doubts about the safety of food, it is best to discard it. Food poisoning is a much greater risk than feeling hungry, so it is always better to be cautious and get rid of any questionable food.
5 TIPS FOR EMERGENCY (HEALTHY) FOOD PREPPING
- Meal plan: If you have the time, make a plan. Figure out what recipes you can make that can be eaten immediately and which ones you can make that can be frozen. That way, no food will go to waste and you won’t be aimlessly walking through the grocery store.
- Shelf stability matters: If you’re hoping to purchase canned goods, take a look at the expiration date! Most of the time, the older cans get put to the front of the shelf at the grocery store, so reach back and grab the newest one!
- Freezer meals rule: Freezer meals it makes healthy eating so much easier.
- Don’t be afraid of fresh fruit and vegetables: You’ll notice that frozen foods, canned foods, and prepackaged foods go first. Don’t be afraid to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Utilize your freeze for what you can’t finish so you can thaw it and eat it later!
- Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk not only saves you money in the long run, but also saves the planet! Plus, it’s one of the last places people look when emergency food prepping.
Foods to Stock Up On
CANNED FOODS
When purchasing canned foods, it’s advisable to opt for low-sodium options and those with a high protein content. Additionally, consider examining the recipes you intend to prepare and acquire ingredients that can be utilized in those recipes, perhaps even in sufficient quantities for a larger serving.
During a crisis, a lot of the suggested meals are those that can be consumed immediately or stored in the freezer, such as chilis, soups, and casserole dishes.
- Black Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Refried Beans
- Canned Hominy
- Canned Corn
- Tomato Sauce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Canned Pumpkin Puree
- Canned Sweet Potato Puree
- Canned Butternut Squash Puree
FROZEN FOODS
Frozen foods can serve as a convenient means to consume whole foods in situations where fresh produce may be unavailable or when you desire to keep vegetables and fruit readily available without worrying about spoilage.
It is possible to replace fresh vegetables with frozen vegetables in various recipes; however, it is important to defrost the vegetables and remove any excess liquid before incorporating them into the dish.
How about this suggestion—> In moments of necessity, you have the option to accumulate nutritious pre-packaged frozen meals such as Annie’s Burritos, Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken, and even a healthier frozen pizza. Enhance the dish by adding frozen vegetables!
- Frozen vegetable mixes
- Frozen fruit mixes
- Frozen strawberries
- Frozen blueberries
- Frozen corn
- Frozen spinach
- Frozen peas
- Frozen broccoli
- Frozen cauliflower
- Frozen meat (chicken, salmon, beef, pork, fish)
- Frozen tortellini
- Frozen dumplings
- Frozen pizzas (you can dress these bad boys up)
- Frozen burritos
DEHYDRATED FOOD
If the grocery store runs out of fresh eggs and milk, it’s important to remember that there are dehydrated alternatives available for these essential items. Although dehydrated ingredients may not be particularly appetizing, you may be pleasantly surprised by the quality of dehydrated vegetables when used in soups, chilis, and marinara sauce.
- Powdered milk
- Powdered eggs
- Dehydrated vegetables
- Dehydrated fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.)
PACKAGED FOODS
In order to prepare nutritious meals for yourself, family, and friends during a crisis, take advantage of the wide range of fantastic packaged food choices available. Prior to going to the grocery store, we suggest identifying a few simple recipes so that you can prioritize gathering the necessary ingredients for those particular dishes.
Another way to stretch food is by ensuring you have flour, sugar, oats, butter, eggs, and other baking ingredients. These can be used to make bread, cookies, and various other baked goods that can be frozen for later consumption.
- Dry pasta
- QuinoaRice (brown and white)
- Lentils
- Vegetable broth
- Chicken broth
- Marinara sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Shelf-stable nut milk
- Pancake mix
- Oatmeal
- Applesauce
- Dried fruit (cherries, raisins, apricots, cranberries, dates, figs, mango, etc.)
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Oil (olive and coconut)
- Vanilla
- Sugar (coconut and brown)
- Flour (white whole wheat and gluten-free)
- Cornmeal
- Chocolate chips
- Baking soda and powder
Fresh Foods
During a crisis, it appears that fresh food, particularly produce, is the least likely to be sold out. Therefore, if fresh food is accessible, it is advisable to purchase it. Fresh produce can be utilized in soups and stews, and you also have the option of buying fresh fruits and vegetables and freezing them on your own.
Root vegetables have a longer shelf life, making them highly shelf-stable. Additionally, our roasted root vegetable recipe is excellent. Extending the lifespan of fresh vegetables can be achieved by purchasing root vegetables and keeping them in a cool, dry location.
- Potatoes (white and sweet)
- Parsnips
- Carrots
- Beets
- Onions
- Garlic
Spices
It is always advantageous to possess a well-stocked spice cabinet. During challenging situations, having readily available spices to add flavor to your meals not only enhances the pleasure of food preparation but also makes it more delightful! Additionally, pre-made blends such as our taco seasoning or fajita seasoning are extremely convenient.
10 essential spices to have in your pantry
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Taco seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Chili seasoning
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
Drink Mixes
Ensuring proper hydration is crucial for maintaining good health during a crisis! While consuming an adequate amount of water is paramount, it is likewise important to ensure sufficient intake of electrolytes.
Do you need to consider changing your hydration method? It’s always beneficial to have different options as well!
- Nuuns
- Emergen-C
- Coffee Grounds
- Instant Coffee
- Tea Bags
Storage Options
Make sure to stock up on storage options like gallon-size plastic bags and tinfoil since you’ll probably be purchasing a larger amount of food than usual during this period. They will become extremely useful to you!
- Gallon-size plastic bags
- Glass containers
- Tinfoil
- Plastic wrap
- Stasher bags
