Once you’re in a survival situation or faced with food shortages, it’s too late to set up a reliable food supply. And that’s exactly why its important to learn how to store food for survival. Storing food long term will get you though a food crisis or emergency. It prevents food waste, and hedges against food prices going up with inflation. While food storage is a win win, improperly stored food will spoil quickly, leading to wasted time, effort and money. Not to mention the potential serious health risks of eating it. To help navigate these challenges, this article uncovers the secret of to long term food storage that will guarantee your success.
Why is safe food storage important?
Before diving into the specifics, let’s highlight the importance of proper food storage. It’s good to know the ‘why’, before learning the ‘what’.
One primary reason to store food is to prolong the life of your food supplies. When you store food in the right conditions, you can extend its shelf life and preserve its nutritional value. This is particularly important when it comes to storing food long term for survival.
Stockpiling for uncertain times is an important practice in emergency preparedness. Covid food shortages demonstrated in real life the value of a long term survival food stockpile.
But it’s the way you store your food that directly impacts its shelf life and quality. And your health.
Proper food storage is not just about keeping your pantry organized; it is a crucial practice that can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. When food is stored incorrectly, it becomes vulnerable to spoilage and contamination, jeopardizing your health. Imagine opening a can of soup only to find it covered in mold or discovering that the bag of flour you stored months ago is infested with weevils.
These scenarios can be avoided by understanding and implementing the basic rules of food storage.
Proper food storage also helps maintain the quality and flavor of your supplies. When food is stored improperly, it can lose its taste, texture, and appeal. By following the right storage practices, you preserve the freshness and deliciousness of your food.
By following a few key rules, you can maximize the longevity and safety of your survival food supplies. So what are these secret rules?
How to store food for survival
The proper food storage rules you should know about
Proper food storage is not just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of safety. By storing your food correctly, you minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These microorganisms thrive in certain conditions, such as in warm temperatures, or exposure to light, moisture and oxygen. Food-borne illnesses like salmonella can lead to hospitalisation and even death, making bacteria in food public enemy number 1 when it comes to long term food storage.
And it’s these conditions that also give you an insight to the rules of proper food storage. The rules exist to keep you safe, by eliminating the prevalence of any nasties that will make you sick. Proper food storage rules require that you:
- remove oxygen
- eliminate light
- remove moisture
- keep food cool.
Food Rotation
Food rotation is a another aspect to storing food long term. It involves consuming the oldest items first while continuously replenishing your emergency food supplies.
By following a first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach, you guarantee that no food goes to waste. This principle is particularly important for perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, which have a limited shelf life even when preserved.
Regularly rotating your emergency food stockpile ensures that you are consuming food before it expires and helps you maintain a well-stocked pantry.
The best way to go about it is to write the processing date expiration date on each container of food you store. By keeping track of expiration dates and organizing your supplies accordingly, you can avoid stockpiling expired products and reduce the chances of food waste. Food rotation allows you to assess your inventory regularly, and identify any items that need to be replenished or replaced.
When it comes to food rotation, it’s not just about consuming the oldest items first; it’s also about replenishing your supplies strategically. The secret to a good emergency food stockpile is to regularly preserve or purchase new items to replace the ones you consume. Your aim is to have a diverse range of food options available at all times. So you don’t end up relying solely on a few staple items.
What food storage containers to use
Selecting suitable food storage containers is where storing food for long term survival starts. There are tonnes of options available. It’s good to know the advantages and disadvantages of each so you pick the right one.
Your job is to select the right type of container for the food you want to store.
When it comes to choosing the right food storage containers, consider factors such as durability, airtightness, and resistance to pests, light and moisture. These can greatly impact the shelf life and quality of what you put in them.
If you can preserve or process your emergency food to store it safely at room temperature, this is your best option. Why?
Emergencies and natural disasters often come with power outages. If you lose power but your emergency food supply is stored safely at room temperature, you won’t lose your food stockpile!
Here are the top 3 options for storing emergency food at room temperature:
Glass jars
One popular option for long-term food storage is glass jars. Also called ‘mason jars’, ‘canning jars’, or ‘preserving jars’. They’re not only durable but also come with an airtight seal, keeping the oxygen out and your food fresh for long periods. They are resistant to pests and moisture too.
Glass jars have the advantage of being transparent, allowing you to easily see the contents without having to open them. But this means they should really be stored in a dark place, to keep light out.
Glass jars can be heavy and prone to breakage if mishandled.
Food grade plastic buckets
Another commonly used option is food-grade plastic buckets. These buckets are specifically designed for storing food and are made from materials that are safe for long-term food storage. They are known for their durability and can withstand rough handling and stacking. They have airtight lids and protect from sunlight too.
Make sure that the plastic used is BPA-free to avoid any potential health risks. And if rats are a pest where you live, these buckets won’t stand up to rodent attack.
Food-grade plastic buckets are lightweight and durable, but they may not provide the same level of airtightness as glass jars.
Mylar bags
Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers are a cheap and popular choice for long-term food storage. They’re the best option for really long term storage. And the best choice for emergency food storage by far. Here’s why:
- They’re made from a metallized plastic film that provides an excellent barrier against oxygen, moisture, and pests.
- The oxygen absorbers help to eliminate any remaining oxygen inside the bag, further extending the shelf life of your stored food.
- Mylar bags are cheap, lightweight and flexible, making them easy to store and transport.
On the down side mylar bags they’re not as durable as glass jars or food-grade plastic buckets. They’re susceptible to rodent attack. Some folks store their mylar bags in plastic buckets because of this. The bags can also be punctured if not handled with care, voiding the shelf life of anything inside.
Which food goes in which container?
Different types of food require different storage techniques to maintain freshness and nutritional value. Here are the best practices to follow:
Storing dry goods
Dry goods, such as rice, pasta, and grains, are excellent emergency food items because they store well long term.
Dry foods should be stored in airtight containers to prevent moisture and pest infestation. Food-grade buckets with tightly sealed lids are a good choice. The best choice to preserve emergency food quality for extended periods is mylar bags with oxygen aborbers.
To find out how long different foods last in mylar bags, check out our article ‘How to store food using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers’.
When storing rice, it is important to keep it away from direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. Optimal storage conditions for rice are a cool and dry environment, such as a pantry or a cupboard. It is advisable to keep rice away from strong-smelling substances, as it absorbs odors easily.
Storing your rice in sealed mylar bags, in a cellar is ideal.
We tend to transfer pasta into airtight containers or heat sealed mylar bags. The aim is to protect it from moisture and pests. Using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can extend the shelf life of dried pasta from 2 years to around 20 years. That’s why they are such a popular options for long term food storage. Whole wheat pasta tends to have a shorter shelf life compared to regular pasta due to its higher oil content.
Grains, such as quinoa, barley, and oats, should always be stored in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. This will prevent the oils in the grains from going rancid and help maintain their nutritional value. Instead of a 3 to 12 month shelf life, they’ll remain edible for 10 to 20 years.
And you’ll have paid today’s prices for food that in 5 years time will be more expensive to buy.
Grains are definitely an emergency food item to rotate based on expiration dates if not stored in mylar bags.
Preserving fresh produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in essential nutrients and vitamins. To maximize their shelf life, they’re mainly stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerated. Avoid washing produce before storing it, as excess moisture accelerates spoilage.
You can also can, pickle and dehydrate fresh vegetables to make them last longer. With fruit, freezing them, dehydrating them, or turning them into preserves like jam are other popular ways to extend their shelf life.
Leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach, are hard to store long term and don’t make for great survival food. Spinach freezes well, but lettuce does not. The best option here is to have a rolling supply of seasonal greens in your garden. Or you can whole meals containing leafy greens in glass jars for around 6 months.
Root vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, prefer a cool and dark environment. Store them in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, to prevent sprouting and maintain their crispness. Potatoes, in particular, should be stored in a breathable bag or a paper bag to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Handling meat and dairy products
Meat and dairy products are highly perishable and require special care. They’re the most difficult to deal with when it comes to long term food storage.
For meat, you can dehydrate, can or freeze it.
Jerky stores well in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, but really not for longer than 12 months.
Fresh meat is best stored in vacuum sealed bags if frozen, to prevent freezer burn. You can can whole meals with meat in them, making sure the sealed glass jars are stored in a cool, dark place. You will only extend the life of meat products safely by a few months with any of these methods.
It’s similar for dairy products, such as cheese or butter. Store them in airtight containers, wrap them tightly in wax paper or foil to stop them drying out. Or follow specific preservation methods like canning or drying.
Meat and dairy are probably the most important emergency food stores to rotate properly. You can get proper sick by eating unsafe meat and dairy.
The secret to long term food storage – creating your own system
Here’s the secret to getting long term food storage right.
Folks that store emergency food for the long term use a system to do it. A way of processing and packaging food, tracking dates, rotating stock, and replenishing supplies to make sure there is always enough food on hand in any emergency.
Here are the 6 secret steps to creating your own long term food storage system:
- Follow the rules of property storage.
- Match the container to the type of food you want to store.
- High liquid content -> glass jars, mason jars, preserving jars
- Bulk dry goods for medium term storage -> plastic bins
- Dry goods for long term storage -> Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
- Label your containers with the date of purchase or expiration. This will help you keep track of the freshness of your supplies and ensure that you rotate your stock accordingly. By using the oldest items first, you can minimize waste and maintain a well-managed food storage system.
- Make sure that your containers are completely sealed before storing them. Any gaps or openings can allow air, moisture, or pests to enter, compromising the quality and safety of your stored food. Regularly inspect containers for signs of damage or contamination and replace them if necessary.
- Store your food containers in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat and sunlight accelerate the degradation of food and reduce its shelf life.
- Check your inventory once a month for food nearing its expiry date. Plan your meals to use these first. Replenish stock from cheaper bulk food sellers or food wholesalers where you can.
By carefully selecting the right food storage containers and following these tips for maximizing container efficiency, you can ensure the long-term preservation of your food supplies. Whether you choose glass jars, food-grade plastic buckets, or Mylar bags, proper storage is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of your stored food.
Recap
By knowing how to store food for survival, you equip yourself with the essential skills to get through any emergency, natural disaster, or food shortage crisis. Long term food storage prevents wastage and can help hedge against inflation driving the cost of your food higher. The trick is to care deeply about the longevity and quality of your food by following the principles and guidelines in this article. As always, proper planning, execution and organization are key to a flourishing emergency food inventory. So get stockpiling!
