There is a possibility of encountering natural disasters, political instability, wars, or another pandemic in the future. Such catastrophic situations might require us to stay in a secure place for an extended period of time, which could range from a few years to even as long as 30 years.
Nevertheless, resorting to panic is never the answer; former astronaut Chris Hadfield has shared valuable advice on effectively handling stress during periods of isolation.
Hadfield advises to gain a thorough understanding of the genuine risk instead of simply fearing the unknown. It is essential to consult reliable sources to ascertain the actual risk you are currently encountering. Additionally, determine your objectives and what you aim to achieve.
By ensuring you are prepared, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have taken measures to keep yourself and your family safe and well-nourished in the event of a crisis.
No matter if your drive to get ready stems from concerns about the environment, politics, personal reasons, or pure practicality, we offer the necessary resources tailored to your needs. Taking the initiative and beginning today is the most optimal measure you can adopt to safeguard yourself and those dear to you.
If and when a disaster strikes, having a 30-year emergency food supply stored is one of the most important steps towards ensuring survival. This ensures that hunger becomes the least of your concerns.
Planning and saving for the long haul with a 30 year emergency food supply
It is possible that you may be tempted to purchase the more expensive meals listed on these websites. Yet, it is important to remember the expenses associated with this decision. It is advisable to initially choose the basic options. It is crucial to also take into account other unforeseen expenses when preparing for the worst. It is wise and suitable to budget your funds prudently whenever possible.
One can ensure staying within a budget by enrolling in a monthly subscription plan. Numerous companies offer the option of receiving a fixed quantity of pre-packaged items every month at a reasonable cost. This method is an ideal approach to gradually accumulate supplies.
While the convenience of having numerous emergency food supply companies offering 30-year products is undeniable, the expense proves prohibitive for many individuals. Additionally, numerous individuals find pleasure in assembling their own kits, affording them the liberty to decide precisely what they wish to store.
Moreover, assembling all of this can serve as a valuable opportunity for the entire family to bond. Just as constructing your 72-hour emergency kit can be a teaching experience, involving the kids in this process allows for the discussion of Hadfield’s strategies on anxiety management. It’s essential to remember that well-prepared individuals need not succumb to panic.
Continue reading if any of these categories apply to you to learn how to create your own supply!
DIY Preparedness
It is unnecessary to purchase products from other companies, as you can make your own 30-year food supply at home with these simple steps. However, please note that this method does entail an initial investment.
In the event of an emergency, you will have the option to personalize your meals. Here is a comprehensive guide on the necessary requirements and steps to follow.
Necessary equipment for the 30 year emergency food supply
To begin with, you must acquire a large quantity of mylar bags. These bags can be purchased in bulk and effortlessly sealed to ensure your food remains fresh for 30 years. Have faith in the astronauts’ choice. If it can endure the harsh conditions of space, it is certainly capable of lasting a long time!
Furthermore, it is necessary to acquire a minimum of one oxygen absorber for each bag. Similarly, consider the astronauts who rely on mylar insulators to protect the space station; they also depend on oxygen.
Don’t overlook the importance of adding them to your mylar bags before sealing to remove oxygen and maintain the freshness of your food. Neglecting this step will quickly reduce the shelf life of your supply, so make sure not to forget it!
Fortunately, these items do not have a high price tag. At present, you can purchase a 100 pack of these absorbents online for just $12. More costly options offer greater oxygen absorption capabilities or additional features like individually packaged absorbers.
In addition, it is important to transfer any products kept in Mylar bags into sturdy plastic buckets. This will guarantee the protection of your investment from rodents and other pests. It is essential to check that the bins or buckets are composed of food-grade plastics to prevent any potential contamination of your supply by chemicals or dyes.
The act of sealing your bags can be achieved using various methods, such as a vacuum sealer, clothes iron, or a hair straightener. Among these options, the vacuum sealer has been found to be the most efficient. However, an iron or hair straightener can also effectively create an airtight seal by melting the mylar together, and chances are you may already possess one of these tools.
The Food Freezing Lifeline
In order to preserve meats, vegetables, and fruits, a freeze dryer is necessary. Although dehydrators are a great choice, the shelf life of dehydrated fruits and vegetables is approximately three years. However, if properly freeze-dried and stored, your food can remain fresh for 20 years or even longer.
Let’s be upfront about it: a freeze dryer comes with a hefty price tag. This specific model for home use, offered by Harvest Right, costs slightly above $2,000. However, the technology it utilizes undoubtedly justifies the cost. By bringing the temperature of your food to a freezing negative 30 degrees and employing a powerful vacuum pump, these machines effectively eliminate water vapor from within the food. Consequently, the heating and re-freezing process removes all the air. It might interest you to know that freeze-dried foods are also utilized by none other than astronauts.
What You Need to Do
Once you have completed assembling your 30-year food supply, the following step involves getting them ready for the freeze dryer. It is essential to slice bigger food items into smaller portions to ensure the process functions effectively. From meat and vegetables to even pasta with cheese, you have the freedom to prepare a variety of food combinations that would typically constitute a meal, so feel free to unleash your creativity.
Make sure to arrange your food items on trays, separating them by item or meal, before placing them inside the freeze dryer. After the process is finished, transfer your food into mylar bags equipped with oxygen absorbers. Utilizing separate bags for different meals is a great strategy to extend the longevity of your products. For example, designate one bag for potato soup, while another can hold all the necessary ingredients for a lasagna or meatloaf.
Once you have placed all the items in the bag, make sure to tightly seal it using one of the heating techniques mentioned earlier (vacuum sealing, ironing, or using a straightener). These methods guarantee that your meals will remain edible for 30 years. Next, store your sealed bags in the food-safe, thick rubber containers mentioned previously. By doing so, you will effectively protect your food supply from pests.
Proper Storage
How you store your food can greatly impact its shelf life, either decreasing or extending it. Food items stored in a pantry or kitchen are susceptible to heat and sunlight exposure, which significantly reduces the longevity of sealed goods. While Mylar bags effectively block out light, they alone are not sufficient to maintain the optimal quality of your food for 25 years.
To ensure the long-lasting freshness of your 30-year emergency food supply, it is essential to store it in a cool and dark place. Homeowners generally find basements to be the optimal location, although bunkers and other underground spots work even more effectively. There is no need to spend on any cooling or drying system; simply rely on the natural conditions of the room.
Safety First
During the process of preparing your food supply, it can be quite simple to overlook the aspect of safety. Thus, here are some straightforward safety guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of you and your dear ones during any emergency situation.
- ?Label each bag and box with the contents inside. This includes any food allergies or special instructions on how to prepare the meal. If you know the calorie count, be sure to mark that down too.
- Date each bag and box with the month, day, and year you sealed it. This will prevent eating spoiled goods in the event you’re hunkering down for a long time.
- Check your supply once a month to ensure no pests have made their way into the food. You’ll also want to make sure no bags are damaged or opened.
- Store your containers off of the floor to help keep disease-carrying pests away.
- Once opened, you can reseal a mylar bag, but the expected shelf life will likely be cut in half, so plan accordingly.
- Never eat any food that looks discolored, or different from its appearance when you placed it into the bag. This is an indicator of spoiling and will cause illness. In an emergency, the last you need is food poisoning.
About Oxygen Absorbers
The main purpose of oxygen absorbers is to absorb oxygen, not water. Therefore, it is essential to keep your supplies protected from dampness. Additionally, it is crucial to seal the container you use with the absorbers since they do not absorb oxygen indefinitely.
Failure to seal the container or employ the absorbers in a tightly sealed setting will result in the absorbers continuously absorbing oxygen and reintroducing air into the stored food, ultimately leading to the spoilage of the food.
The capacity of oxygen absorbers, such as 100cc, 300cc, 200cc, 500cc, etc., is indicated on their packaging. If oxygen absorbers are not stored in their original packaging or in a vacuum-sealed bag, over time, they will gradually lose their effectiveness.
Monitoring the water level in a narrow, transparent container taped with an oxygen absorber packet and placed upside down in a bowl of water is a reliable method to determine its efficacy. Over time, you will observe the water level gradually rising if the absorber is still viable for use.
Nevertheless, this approach lacks precision, and even a partially used oxygen absorber could still absorb a certain amount of moisture. Therefore, it is advisable to either vacuum seal the absorbers immediately after removing them from their initial packaging or utilize them all in one go.
If you don’t have a Food Saver, it is useful to look for oxygen absorbers that are packaged in multiple bags to prevent any of them from being wasted.
Which kinds of products are suitable for storage with the use of oxygen absorbers?
Low moisture and oil content is necessary for products. If the moisture content exceeds roughly 10 percent, using reduced oxygen packaging to preserve products could potentially lead to botulism poisoning.
Which containers are suitable for food storage when using oxygen absorbers?
Containers that are effective barriers against moisture and oxygen should be used in conjunction with oxygen absorbers. The following containers have proven to be successful in this regard:
Cans made of metal that have lids sealed with seams.
Pouches made of foil
Pete plastic bottles that come with screw-on lids that seal tightly.
Glass canning jars equipped with metal lids featuring gaskets.
The use of oxygen absorbers is not an effective treatment for plastic buckets, milk bottles, or any other plastic bottles that do not have the recycle symbol indicating they are made of PETE or PET.
How should oxygen absorbers be used correctly?
- Cut open the top of the bag of absorbers. Do not open the individual absorber packets.
- Remove the number of absorbers from the bag that you will use in the next 20 to 30 minutes, and spread them out on a tray. Remove additional groups of absorbers from the supply as you need them during the packaging process, but do not open and close the bag repeatedly to get only a few absorbers at a time.
- Reseal the remaining supply of absorbers by one of the following methods. Do not store absorbers in ziplock bags.
- Seal the bag of absorbers with the special blue clamp provided by the home storage center.
- Seal the bag of absorbers with an impulse heat sealer.
- For longer storage when an impulse sealer is not available, remove the absorbers from the bag and place them into a glass canning jar that has a metal lid with a gasket. A one-pint jar (500 ml) will hold 25 absorbers.
- Place one absorber into each container of food as it is packaged.
Foods Lasting 30 Years or More
Recent scientific studies have revealed that adequately packaged low-moisture foods, stored at room temperature or colder (24°C/75°F or less), retain their nutritional value and remain suitable for consumption for a significantly extended period of time compared to previous notions. The estimated shelf life for a variety of products has now been determined to be 30 years or even longer, as indicated in the provided chart displaying updated estimates.
The estimates of lifespan in the past relied on “best-if-used-by” advice and practical knowledge. While not thoroughly examined, sugar, salt, baking soda (for soaking beans), and vitamin C tablets also have good long-term storage capabilities. However, certain staple foods, like vegetable oil, should be rotated more frequently, every 1 to 2 years.
Even though the nutritional value and taste of food may decrease over time, it ultimately depends on the initial quality, processing, packaging, and storage methods. However, research indicates that even when stored for extended periods, the food remains capable of sustaining life during emergency situations.
| FOOD | NEW “LIFE-SUSTAINING” SHELF-LIFE ESTIMATES (IN YEARS) |
|---|---|
| Wheat | 30+ |
| White rice | 30+ |
| Corn | 30+ |
| Sugar | 30+ |
| Pinto beans | 30 |
| Rolled oats | 30 |
| Pasta | 30 |
| Potato flakes | 30 |
| Apple slices | 30 |
| Non-fat powdered milk | 20 |
| Dehydrated carrots | 20 |
Product Recommendations
The suggested amounts provided below are intended for one individual who is an adult.
| QUANTITY FOR ONE MONTH | RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS | LONG-TERM STORAGE LIFE |
|---|---|---|
| 11.5 kg./ 25 lbs | Wheat, white rice, corn, and other grains | 30+ years |
| 2.5 kg. / 5 lbs | Dry beans | 30+ years |
In order to adequately stock up for the long term, you might consider including additional items like sugar, nonfat powdered milk, salt, baking soda, and cooking oil. It is also important to store foods that contain vitamin C and other vital nutrients to fulfill your nutritional requirements.
Recommended containers for longer-term storage include the following:
- Foil pouches (available through Church Distribution Services)
- PETE bottles (for dry products such as wheat, corn, and beans)
When paired with oxygen absorber packets, these containers not only eradicate food-borne insects but also aid in preserving the nutritional quality and flavor.
Plastic buckets can be utilized for extended storage of wheat, dry beans, and other dry products, given specific conditions.
Caution: Botulism poisoning can occur if wet items are kept in packaging that limits oxygen. To prevent this, ensure products have a low moisture content (around 10% or less) when stored in air-tight containers with oxygen absorbers.
Storage Conditions
The following conditions can have a substantial impact on the storage life.
- Temperature: Store products at a temperature of 75°F/24°C or lower whenever possible. If storage temperatures are higher, rotate products as needed to maintain quality.
- Moisture: Keep storage areas dry. It is best to keep containers off of the floor to allow for air circulation.
- Light: Protect cooking oil and products stored in PETE bottles from light.
- Insects and rodents: Protect products stored in foil pouches and PETE bottles from rodent and insect damage.
Dry Products for Longer-Term Food Storage
Products that are meant to be stored for a longer duration must have a dryness level of around 10% or lower in terms of moisture content.
Moist products stored in oxygen-reduced packaging may lead to the development of botulism poisoning.
Items that are unsuitable for extended storage due to their moisture content, oils, or other factors are dry products.
Pearled barley | Dried meat, for example jerky. |
Dried eggs. | Nuts remain the same. |
Whole wheat flour. | Brown rice |
Milled grains (excluding rolled oats). | Brown sugar. |
Granola is a type of food that is made from rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruit. | Unless sufficiently dry, both on the inside and outside, to make a snapping sound when bent, vegetables and fruits should be dehydrated. |
PETE Bottles For Longer-Term Storage
PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles can be utilized alongside oxygen absorbers for the preservation of wheat, corn, and dry beans. These PETE bottles are easily distinguishable by the presence of the letters PETE or PET beneath the recycle symbol on the container.
Containers that were previously used to store nonfood items should not be utilized. Moreover, other kinds of plastic bottles generally lack the necessary moisture or oxygen barrier to be compatible with oxygen absorbers.
PETE bottles are suitable for storing white rice and other shelf-stable dry foods for up to 5 years, making them ideal for shorter-term storage purposes.
Botulism poisoning can occur when storing moist products in reduced oxygen packaging, therefore, it is important for the moisture content of stored foods to be around 10 percent or below.
Packaging in PETE Bottles
- Use PETE bottles that have screw-on lids with plastic or rubber lid seals. You can verify that the lid seal will not leak by placing a sealed empty bottle under water and pressing on it. If you see bubbles escape from the bottle, it will leak.
- Clean used bottles with dish soap, and rinse them thoroughly to remove any residue. Drain out the water, and allow the bottles to dry completely before you use them for packaging food products.
- Place an oxygen absorber in each bottle. The absorbers can be used with containers of up to one-gallon capacity (4 liters).
- Fill bottles with wheat, corn, or dry beans.
- Wipe top sealing edge of each bottle clean with a dry cloth and screw lid on tightly.
- Store the products in a cool, dry location, away from light.
- Protect the stored products from rodents.
- Use a new oxygen absorber each time you refill a bottle for storage.
Foil Pouches For Longer-Term Storage
Which type of pouch can be found at home storage centers, at Distribution Services, and on the store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org website?
Constructed of a combination of plastic and aluminum, the pouches possess multiple layers and are 7 mils thick (178 microns), providing an effective defense against moisture and insects for the stored food.
Which kinds of foods are suitable for packaging in pouches?
Storing moist products in oxygen reduced packaging can lead to botulism poisoning, therefore the pouches are suitable for dry foods (with moisture content of approximately 10% or less) that are shelf-stable and have low oil content.
What is the capacity of each individual pouch in terms of food?
The capacity of each pouch is 1 gallon (equivalent to 4 liters) of product. The weight of each pouch differs depending on the product. One pouch can contain either 7 pounds (equivalent to 3.2 kg) of wheat, 6.8 pounds (equivalent to 3.1 kg) of white rice, or 5 pounds (equivalent to 2.3 kg) of dry milk.
Is there a reaction between the foods and the aluminum in the pouch?
Foods are not in direct contact with aluminum as they are shielded by a layer of food-grade plastic, ensuring protection against moisture and oxygen.
How can pouches be effectively sealed?
To ensure an effective seal, it is recommended to use an impulse sealer (refer to related instructions) for sealing pouches. The use of an iron or any other household heating device is not suitable, especially when dealing with powdered products like flour or dry milk. The impulse sealers utilized by Welfare Services (American International Electric AIE 305 A1 and Mercier ME 305 A1) possess the following specifications: a seal width of 3/16-inch (5 mm), jaws that are 11.5-inch (305 mm) wide, compatibility with pouches up to 8-mil (205 microns) thickness, and an added safety feature of a switch that automatically stops operation if the jaws are obstructed.
Do you know where I can locate an impulse sealer?
You can find impulse sealers at the majority of home storage centers as well as several stakes. Alternatively, you have the option to buy an impulse sealer from Distribution Services or through the online store at store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Do we need to fully remove all air from the pouches?
Oxygen absorbers are responsible for extracting the oxygen found in the pouches, thereby eradicating food-borne insects and aiding in the preservation of product quality through reduced oxygen levels.
Once the pouch is sealed, is it typical for the sides to retract inward?
The sides of sealed pouches tend to slightly contract within a few days after packaging, a phenomenon more noticeable in granular foods compared to powdered products.
What is the proper way to store pouches of food?
For optimal storage, it is advisable to keep the pouches in a cool, dry location that is free from rodents. It is important to ensure that storage containers do not come into direct contact with concrete floors or walls.
Do pouches provide protection against rodents?
If there is a risk of rodents or pests in the storage area, it is advisable to place the pouches in containers that are resistant to these creatures. It is important not to use containers that have been previously used to store nonfood items.
Is it necessary for emergency kits to be packaged in pouches?
Containers with removable lids are most suitable for storing first aid items and food rations, like granola bars, to facilitate regular rotation, as many emergency supply items are not appropriate for packaging in foil pouches.
Plastic Buckets For Longer-Term Storage
When storing dry food commodities with a moisture content of approximately 10 percent or less, it is advisable to employ food-grade plastic buckets equipped with gaskets in the lid seals. Buckets that have previously contained nonfood items should not be utilized.
In order to avoid insect infestation, it is recommended to use dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) for treating grains and dry beans stored in plastic buckets. Approaches for eliminating insects that rely on the absence of oxygen, like oxygen absorbers or nitrogen gas flushing, are ineffective in plastic buckets. It is important to ensure that food is not exposed to humid or damp conditions during packaging.
Instructions for the Treatment of Dry Ice
- Use approximately one ounce of dry ice per gallon (7 grams per liter) capacity of the container. Do not use dry ice in metal containers of any kind or size because of the potential for inadequate seals or excessive buildup of pressure.
- Wear gloves when handling dry ice.
- Wipe frost crystals from the dry ice, using a clean, dry towel.
- Place the dry ice in the center of the container bottom.
- Pour the grain or dry beans on top of the dry ice. Fill the bucket to within one inch (25 mm) of the top.
- Place the lid on top of the container and snap it down only about halfway around the container. The partially sealed lid will allow the carbon dioxide gas to escape from the bucket as the dry ice sublimates (changes from a solid to a gas).
- Allow the dry ice to sublimate completely before sealing the bucket. Feel the bottom of the container to see if the dry ice is all gone. If the bottom of the container is very cold, dry ice is still present.
- Monitor the bucket for a few minutes after sealing the lid. If the bucket or lid bulges, slightly lift the edge of the lid to relieve pressure.
- It is normal for the lid of the bucket to pull down slightly as a result of the partial vacuum caused when carbon dioxide is absorbed into the product.
Plastic buckets storage
- Store plastic buckets off the floor by at least ½ inch (1.3 cm) to allow air to circulate under the bucket.
- Do not stack plastic buckets over three high. If buckets are stacked, check them periodically to ensure that the lids have not broken from the weight.
Preparing for the Future
If you want to be prepared for future disasters, it is highly recommended to establish an emergency food supply. However, it is crucial to properly prepare and store your food as it plays a vital role in the entire process. By adhering to the guidelines provided in this article, you and your family will no longer have to be concerned about experiencing hunger.
Being in the optimal mental state is crucial during emergencies because it ensures you are capable of making rational decisions. One key factor in maintaining this state is to ensure you are properly nourished.
Ensure that you go through the safety guidelines and essential supplies mentioned above. All precautions are implemented to guarantee that your food remains edible and nutritious for at least three decades. There is no reason why you can’t enjoy luxurious meals during power outages. Therefore, embark on the task of preparing your beloved dishes right away!
