SurvivalEd Blog

Storing A Year’s Worth Of Food Plus A 14-Day Non-Perishable Food Plan

By



Free Salad Restaurant photo and picture

Before embarking on the task of storing food for the long term, it is crucial to be aware of the complexities involved. In order to achieve success in your long-term food storage endeavors, it is necessary to begin with a meticulously crafted plan and ideally conclude with a pantry that is abundantly stocked.

Why Store a Year’s Worth of Food

If you are uncertain about why you truly desire to begin hoarding food for a long period, here are several reasons that might assist you in making a decision.

  1. Save Time – Storing food whether it be for a week, a month or a year will help save you time in the long run. Having food stored on hand will minimize the time you spend at stores, and in some cases minimize the time it takes to prepare meals.
  2. Save Money – When you buy items in bulk you are saving money because most times the price per unit is lower than when purchased individually. Growing your own produce can save money as well, you are paying for the cost of seeds or transplants.
  3. Emergencies – Emergencies can be natural disasters, a pandemic, the loss of a job, or a major injury. Many things can fall into this category. Having your food stored long-term means that you will have less to worry about at the time something like this occurs.
  4. Environmental Friendly – Buying things in bulk and preserving uses less packaging and causes less waste. Canning jars can be used over and over again, and there are now reusable lid alternatives. 

Where to Begin When Storing a Year’s Worth of Food

If you have made the decision to take charge of your food security and want to give long-term storage a try, I strongly recommend starting off with a modest approach. Numerous individuals make the error of diving headfirst into long-term food storage, only to find themselves overwhelmed and dealing with wasted food.

Tips Before You Start Storing Food:

  • Don’t try storing an entire year’s worth of food from scratch. Start small: plan for 1 month of storage and then build from there.
  • Keep track of your inventory and storage space.
  • Buying in bulk can save you time and money.
  • Store a few key ingredients at a time in bulk, and then move on to a different one.
  • If you have never preserved your own food, ease into it. Don’t depend on home-preserved food entirely until you have learned the ins and outs.
  • If buying fresh produce in bulk, buy in-season to help reduce the cost.
  • Have a Plan! Figure out what food you will store, how much you will need, and how you will store it.

How to Create a Customized Plan to Store a Year’s Worth of Food

Prior to purchasing or preserving your storage items, it is important to begin with a well-thought-out plan. This plan will assist you in getting organized and avoiding feelings of being overwhelmed. Take a moment to grab a pencil and paper, and carefully write down all the necessary details.

Creating Your Customized Food Storage Plan:

To start off a successful plan, it is crucial to establish practical and achievable objectives while having a clear understanding of the desired outcome. Commence by jotting down your goals for the immediate future, long-term goals, and the driving force behind your actions.

Make a list of your family’s eating habits and identify the most frequently used recipes and foods. Concentrate on obtaining these items, as the objective is to stock up on items that your family will consume.

How much storage space do you possess? Your objective is to accommodate a year’s supply of food, however, you must take into account the amount of storage space available and identify potential areas where additional space can be created if necessary.

Begin the process of food storage by examining the contents of your pantry, freezer, and root cellar (if applicable) to assess what items you currently possess. It is advisable to remove all items, evaluate the ones you utilize, and determine which ones can be eliminated. Subsequently, arrange your pantry and freezer, and subsequently construct an inventory sheet to monitor your supplies and identify any necessities. The inventory sheet does not have to be elaborate; a simple sheet of lined paper will suffice.

When planning, it is important to determine whether you will grow your own produce, raise meat, preserve food, or purchase everything. You have the option to do any or all of these activities. For instance, if you are only able to raise chickens but still want farm-fresh produce, you can visit a farmers’ market. Customizing your plan to suit your specific circumstances is crucial due to the numerous combinations and possibilities available.

Organizing and Creating Your Long-term Storage Space

Prior to considering what and how much to store, it is essential to ensure that you possess sufficient long-term storage space for your food. As part of your planning process, you should have already compiled a list of available storage areas and assessed your current inventory. Now, it is crucial to proceed with creating, cleaning, and organizing these spaces.

When determining the available storage space for a year’s worth of food, it is important to take into account the various storage locations that can be utilized for your food items.

Different Storage Space Ideas to Consider:

  • Cupboards
  • Pantry /Larder
  • Root Cellar
  • Closets
  • Basements
  • Extra Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Outbuildings

Another option for organizing bigger storage spaces is to divide them into smaller containers. It is crucial to remember to label these containers to avoid any confusion later on.

Containers to Help Organize Your Storage Space:

  • Baskets
  • Crates
  • Totes
  • Boxes
  • Shelves
  • Glass Jars
  • Food Grade Buckets

After determining the precise amount of storage space available, the next step is to calculate the quantity of food that your family will need to store. Is it possible for your storage space to accommodate the necessary amount of food? Let’s discover!

What Food Should You Store for Your Family?

A common error individuals commit when storing food for a long duration is acquiring non-perishable goods without taking into account whether they will be consumed. As previously stated, it is crucial to prioritize storing items that your family will genuinely consume, as this will effectively reduce food waste in the future.

After noting down your plan, which involved jotting down favorite recipes and assessing the foods your family regularly eats, it is now important to dissect these recipes into fundamental lists of ingredients. This will enable you to accurately determine what to include while making purchases or preserving items for later use.

When purchasing most of your stored food, prioritize items with a long shelf-life such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and dried beans to avoid the disappointment of stocking up on items that go bad quickly.

Long-term Food Storage Items Include:

  • Grains (Wheat berries have a longer shelf-life than ground flour, but a grain mill will be needed)
  • Oats
  • Rice
  • Dry Beans
  • Pasta
  • Canned or Frozen Vegetables
  • Canned Sauces
  • Dehydrated Fruits
  • Dried Herbs
  • Nuts
  • Peanut Butter
  • Honey
  • Salt
  • Fats and Oils
  • Canned or Frozen Meats

14-Day Non-Perishable Food Plan

Starting to build a food storage supply may appear overwhelming, but there’s no need to worry. By engaging in some careful planning and preparation, you can ensure peace of mind for unexpected situations. Below is a guide to creating a 14-day food reserve for your family, all within a budget of $200! Remember, this plan focuses on affordable, non-perishable items suitable for emergencies or when access to a grocery store is limited. These are foods with a shelf life of up to one year that do not require refrigeration.

This 14-day basic food plan offers a complete selection of meals for two weeks, which are both simple to prepare and enjoyable for your family. There are no strange M.R.E. or unrecognizable powdered meals included; only delectable and nourishing dishes that can be put together quickly. Moreover, this plan is affordable as you can acquire all the necessary ingredients for less than $200. Depending on your current supplies and your family’s consumption, it may even last for more than 14 days. It is important to note that this is not a diet or a comprehensive meal plan that fulfills all nutritional requirements. Rather, it is intended to supply indispensable, life-sustaining meals for a short duration.


Related posts:

Free Root Cellar Canned Goods photo and pictureHow Do Preppers Store Food? Storage and Replenishment Free Camping Camp Fire photo and picture19 Hiking Emergency Kit Items to Pack on Your Outdoor … Free People Camping photo and pictureThe Camping Gear that Should be in Every Home Survival … Free Meal Plan Diet Plan photo and pictureTips for Planning an Emergency Food Menu