Foods that Store Well If you are starting home food storage or just want to stop buying foods that expire before you can eat them, here is a comprehensive list of the foods that store well.
Canned Foods You can trust that most foods in cans will last you a long time. Many people make a hobby of canning their own food to eat throughout the years. You can get almost anything in a can, from vegetables, meats, fish, soups, and fruits. In emergency situations you also do not have to cook or heat canned foods. It will not be as delicious but it will be just as nutritious.
Bulk Foods At stores such as Sam’s or Costco, you can buy food in huge amounts, more than can possibly be eaten in a year unless you house 12 dwarves. Buying in bulk can help you save money and trips to the store. It is most advantageous to store any extras in long term storage such as foodsaver bags or freeze it in an extra freezer. Rice, grains, and beans are the most common bulksold items that could come in handy during an emergency.
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) These cost a little bit more money but take a lot less hassle. Not to be mistaken with a frozen meal waiting to be microwaved, these are included with MRE heaters that include a chemical reaction sufficient enough to heat the food. They are small, instant, and easily portable so you can grab them quickly in case of an emergency. They even taste good.
Seeds Seeds are cheap and last for a year or two before they expire. This makes them perfect for any food storage as it may become necessary to start growing your own food. They are also easily replaceable as long as you remember when they expire.
How much is enough? As emergency food preparation kits are rarely used in the United States for longer than a few days, it is hard to tell how much will be enough in any given scenario. It is better to have too much than too little but do not spend all of your food budget on storage of canned foods. Keep in mind how many people are in your family and how long you want your stock to last. Also do not keep anything that you do not actually like and wouldn’t eat. If it’s disgusting, don’t keep it.