Tip #15: Your Long Term Food Storage Plan.

DIY Long Term Food Supply vs Pre-Built Long Term Food Storage Packages.

Before jumping into the full “DIY” list, it’s worth mentioning that there are many reputable prepper food companies out there offering starter kits. Which begs the question, which option should you go with?

• If you have time to build a food supply: The 20 items in the next section are perfect end goals.
• If you need to quickly build a base supply: The following food storage supply kits are great to start with.

Emergency Food Starter Kits

These are the top options that are BDS approved and tested:

• Mountain House “Just in Case” 14-Day Food Supply: You can save 20% off your order with code MHAFFILIATE20 at checkout here.
• Valley Food Storage 1-Month Supply: Currently on sale at this listing here. You can use promo code “BDS” for an ADDITIONAL 10% OFF at checkout (off your entire order).

20 ITEMS TO KICK START YOUR LONG TERM FOOD STORAGE PLAN.
1.  20 pounds of Rice.  As boring as it may sound, rice is one of the backbones of every food storage plan.  It is filling, nutritious, and with the use of varied seasonings and condiments, highly adaptable in a variety of tasty meals.  The choice of white, brown, or a combination of the two is up to you.  White rice has a longer shelf life but brown rice has more nutritional benefits.  In my own household, I like to combine the two along with some Jasmine, Basmati and Calrose sticky rice. NOTE: Be sure to check out our recent guide on how to remove arsenic from rice.
2.  20 pounds of Pinto Beans.   Like rice, beans are the backbone to every food storage plan.  You may substitute white, kidney or other types of dried beans but honestly, pintos are one of the least expensive dried beans and in my opinion, one of the tastiest.  Need help cooking beans? when you are done here be sure to read Survival Woman Learns to Cook Dried Beans and you should too and  Respect for the Lowly Pinto Bean.
3.  20 cans of Vegetables.  Green beans, peas, corn, and canned tomatoes are good choices.  Let your taste and budget guide you.  Buy what you currently eat and enjoy.
4.  20 cans of Fruit.  Peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail – again, this is your choice.  Fruits add a nice sweetness to life and these days we all could use more of that.
5.  20 cans of Meat.  Chicken, tuna, shrimp, salmon, Vienna sausages, beef stew, and yes, even the ubiquitous Spam will satisfy this requirement.  Did you know that you can even purchase canned roast beef? Again, let your taste and budget guide you – there are lots of canned meat products to choose from. UPDATE: If you are looking for some long-lasting but all-natural, non-GMO canned meats, check out Wertz’s meats here. You can also read our recent hands-on review.
6.  4 pounds Oats.  Remember when you were little and Mom warmed your tummy with a nice comforting bowl of oatmeal?  That is what we are talking about here.  A bowl of oatmeal topped with canned fruit can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
7.  2 large jars of Peanut Butter.  Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, with plenty of calories for energy and sustenance.  Besides, who can resist the taste of a gooey spoonful of luscious peanut butter? While the long term shelf life of peanut butter is not as great as some would like, it is excellent for emergency food storage on a one-year timeline. So if you buy peanut butter, just make sure to use your oldest first and rotate it out and you will be good to go.
8.  2 large jars of Tang or other powdered drink mix.  The only requirement here is get something you like and something fortified with Vitamin C.  I am not going to preach and tell you to avoid artificial sweeteners.  If [amazon_textlink asin=’B00O5F26QW’ text=’Crystal Lite’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’bds100-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e79c3045-c49a-11e7-96c7-8b03ba470fc9′] works for you in normal times, go for it.
9.  5 pounds of [amazon_textlink asin=’B01D4VO58E’ text=’Powdered Milk’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’bds100-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’14e29829-8f66-11e7-b7ff-fb9bcec93113′].  Powdered milk is a great source of protein and other nutrients.  In addition it is filling and can be used to top your oatmeal cereal or stirred into your coffee as a flavor enhancer.
10.  5 pounds of Salt.  It goes without saying that salt is essential for survival plus it has a lot of uses other than as an enhancement for food. That said, our bodies need salt to survive.  Read more about salt in the article Reasons You Need Salt in the Prepper Pantry.
11.  10 pounds of Pancake Mix.  An all in one pancake mix (such as Krusteaz) only requires the addition of water to make up a batch of batter.  As with oatmeal, a big plate of pancakes, perhaps with some honey or jam, will make a satisfying meal that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
12.  2 pounds of Honey and 2 large jars of Jam.  We all need some sweetness in our life, even with Mother Nature or life deals us a blow.  I choose honey and jam over sugar but at the end of the day, you can make a substitution or simply mix and match.
13.  10 pounds of Pasta.  Pasta is familiar and easy to fix.  Pasta is a dense form of wheat but so much easier to deal with when you are first starting out.  Besides, it is a fabulous comfort food.
14.  10 cans or jars of Spaghetti Sauce.  Cheap yet satisfying, canned pasta sauce on a bed of pasta creates a satisfying meal that can be put together in minutes.
15. 20 cans of Soup or Broth. The beauty of canned soups and canned broth is that they are a budget friendly.  Soups are an all-in-one meal solution. All you need is a can opener and a spoon and you have a meal ready to go.  For an extra satisfying meal, try using a can of soup as part of the cooking water for your rice.  Yummy! For a guide to making your own bone broth, see Donna’s guide here.
16.  One large jug of Oil. Choose olive oil, coconut oil or some other cooking oil, but definitely get some.  Oil is essential for good health, fueling our energy stores, and providing support for fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients as they work their way through our system. Not only that, but a bit of fat in your diet adds flavor and makes you feel satisfied when you are done eating.
17. Spices and Condiments. Adding some spices and condiments to your food storage pantry will allow you to vary the taste of your storage foods, thus mitigating some of the boredom that is likely to occur over time.  The exact mix of spices and condiments is up to you but some suggestions include  garlic, chili, Tabasco (hot sauce), salsa, oregano, thyme and black pepper. For a full list of the best prepper herbs and spices, check out the BDS guide here.
18.  5 pounds of Coffee or 100 Tea Bags.  There are those that will say that life without coffee is not life at all.  Whole bean (assuming you have a hand grinder), ground or instant – take your choice.  Or substitute tea.  Green tea and many herbal teas are quite therapeutic so if you like tea, this may be a good way to go. To learn more about bulk coffee processing and storing for preppers, read this guide here.
19. 2 large bags of Hard Candies.  Hard candy can go a long way toward making an unpleasant situation bearable.  Butterscotch drops, peppermints and even lemon drops are good.  Have fun with this and pick up a couple of bags of your favorites!
20.  Mini LED Flashlight and Extra Batteries.  Okay, this is a cheater item.  It is not food but it is all important and so it will not hurt to stash a miniature flashlight or two along with the edibles in your food storage pantry.  My top pick of the moment is the Blocklite.  This thing just goes and goes and goes plus, it does not take up any storage space.
BUT THERE IS NO WHEAT AND NO FLOUR ON THIS LIST!
So you noticed!
There are no wheat berries or other whole grains (other than oats/oatmeal) on this list and there is also no flour.  While there is a place for these items in a long term storage plan, I consider them part of the second phase of food storage.
The truth is that many preppers would not have a clue as to what to do with wheat, so why push the envelope?
The same goes with flour.  To make flour usable, you also need yeast and baking powder plus the skill and know-how to bake. Not only that, you most likely will need an outdoor oven of sorts – especially if the grid is down post-disaster.   That, and more, will come later, but for now, while covering the basics, it is much simpler and far more practical to stick with easy to cook foods that can be combined into interesting meals without the need for much experience other than opening a can or a package.

Too Much Work?

If this all seems like too much effort OR you need some immediate food security, be sure to check out our top survival food brands here.

10 Crazy Simple Strategies for Building an Emergency Food Supply

1.  Take Your Time and Go Slow
If I can cite the number one reason people become overwhelmed when even thinking about putting aside an emergency food supply, it is the perceived sense of urgency that it all needs to be done right now.  And this, for many, results in complacency and inaction.  Don’t fall into this trap.  Begin with a three day supply and gradually build that up to a week.  After that, add to your emergency food supply week by week until pretty soon, you have three months of food stored away for you and your family.
Remember, it is perfectly okay to start out by picking up just 2 or 3 extra cans of meats, fruits or vegetables during your weekly trip to the supermarket.  Do what you can at a pace that your are comfortable with and ignore any message you get from others (including prepping forums and websites) to do it all at once.

2.  Spend Your Money Wisely
There is no reason to break the budget while building an emergency food supply.  Before heading out to the supermarket, view local ads and find specials that will allow you to purchase more for less.  If you are so inclined, use coupons and if allowed, shop on “double coupon” days.
Warehouse clubs such as Costco have coupons too so don’t overlook those booklets that are sent out monthly.  Often times the savings are huge.  If you do not belong to a warehouse club, perhaps you can tag along with a friend or call ahead and see if they will give you a one-day shopping pass.
Consider shopping at one of the many Dollar Stores or even in the back aisles of the drugstore.  Bargains abound as I recently learned when I picked up a dozens of name-brand canned vegetables for fifty cents a can.
While freeze-dried  or dehydrated foods are often on prepper food lists, they are expensive and often have to be special ordered or at least purchased at specialty food stores.  They often taste really good and you may want to eventually add some to your supply of food, but in the beginning, it may be best to stick to more budget friendly items. Augason Farm is a good source of dehydrated foods that won’t break your budget. They are usually easy to find on Amazon or at Wal-Mart and you can add a #10 can at a time as your budget allows.
At the same time, be sure to have some comfort foods on hand as well. Comfort foods can help keep morale high during and emergency situation.

3.  Scope Out and Optimize Your Storage Space
Finding space to store your emergency food supply can be a challenge, especially if you live in a small home or apartment.  Get creative, starting with a walk around tour of your living spaces.  Locations often overlooked are under beds, way up high in closets where you can add another shelf, and under dressers, desks and sofas.
My number one tip, though, is to go through your cupboards and closets and remove those items that are duplicates, that you rarely use, or that you do not use at all.  For example, in your kitchen, how may different pots and pans do you need?  My guess is that you use the same two or three over and over again.  Stow the extras in the basement, attic, or garage, or give them away to charity. Trust me, they will not be missed.  The same thing applies to seldom used clothing, shoes and sports equipment.
If you are truly serious about finding the space for your emergency food supply, you will toss those miscellaneous odd-ball items that are only used once every three years.  This alone will  free up space for some additional canned or dried food items.

4.  Stick to the Basics
Monitor what your family eats for a week and use that as a guideline for getting started.  The advantage of doing this is you will learn what your family likes so that you can shop accordingly.  You would be surprised at how many people can’t remember what they ate yesterday let alone a week ago.  Try to write everything down so that you don’t have to rely upon your memory.
Keep in mind that bulk foods such as beans, rice, oatmeal and powdered milk are staples in the survival food pantry.  Relatively speaking, they are all (with the exception, perhaps of the milk) inexpensive.  These are basics, yes, but if you are just getting started, why not begin with the food your family eats – but only in canned form?
Also, do not forget to store at least one gallon of water per person per day along with your emergency food supply.  More is better.

5.  Don’t Make it a Chore
Storing food for an emergency can be challenging but it does not have to be a chore.  Eliminate the panic of attempting to get it all done at once and the process can almost be fun and game-like.  Searching out deals – either with coupons or at sales – can be an adventure in and of itself.  Involve the kids by asking them for suggestions and helping them make selections that they will enjoy eating.
Continue the adventure by learning to cook with traditional storage items such as the bulk food items mentioned above (beans, rice, oatmeal and powdered milk).  Adding condiments of various types will result in delicious meals not only now, but after an emergency when good tasting food will be a comfort.

6.  Be Mindful of Food Storage Conditions
Notwithstanding finding space for your emergency food supply, consider the storage conditions in your home.  The enemies of food storage are temperature, moisture, oxygen, light, pests and time.  Then there is the two legged variety (such as teenagers!) who eat everything in sight, including your emergency food.
Remember that what you are looking for is a cool, dry place, for most food storage.  The right conditions will improve the storage life of all your food.
While not all household conditions are perfect, be aware of the six enemies of food storage and do your best to mitigate their effect on your precious food supply.  This means you should avoid storing food in garages that are 90 degrees in summer and 30 degrees in winter.  I am repeating what I said before but it is important: empty your cupboards and closets of excess stuff and stow these items in the basement, attic, or garage.  This will make room for you to store your food inside your main living area where the ambient room temperature is stable.

7.  Learn From Your Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to food storage and trust me, I have made my share of them.  One mistake I have made is to not take my own advice and stock up on something I truly dislike.  Another is to stock up on sugary drinks in #10 tins from a well-known food storage company.  What was I thinking?
You know your own eating habits the best but lest you think you are infallible, review these 15 Common Food Storage Mistakes.

8.  Rotate Out and Replenish In But Only Within Reason
If there has been a major shift in my food storage thinking over the years, this is it.  I used to believe that nothing lasts forever and recommended periodically going through your emergency food supply to rotate out the oldest items.
These days, I still recommend rotating but not to the point where you make it your career.  I have read enough studies and have eaten enough ten year old food to know that if the packaging is in good shape, meaning well sealed, no dents, rust or leak in cans, the food is most likely okay to eat.
Additional Reading:  What You Need to Know About Eating Expired Food
I say most likely because all stored food must pass the sniff test.  If it smells bad, do not pass go.  Throw it away.
Of course food that is packaged for long term storage, either by the manufacturer or yourself, is going to be fresher in look and taste.  Presumably, there will also be less leaching of nutritional value.
Food storage containers include mylar bags, vacuum seal bags, and buckets. Oxygen and moisture absorbers can help extend the life of your food. When deciding what storage containers to use, consider how long you intend to keep the food sealed.  Some people like to think on a 10 year time line while others want some food items to be shelf stable for 25 years if possible. An oxygen absorber are a must for mylar but not for vacuum sealing.
How to package for the long term is beyond the scope of this article but you will find plenty of tips in the following three articles here on Backdoor Survival:
Survival Basics: What the Heck are Oxygen Absorbers?
Survival Basics: Using Mylar Bags for Food Storage
Survival Basics: Buckets, Lids and Gamma Seals

9.  Keep Track of Your Stuff
Once you get going, it will be easy to lose track of what you already have.  The best way to overcome the state of confusion you will experience six months down the road is to start keeping track of your stored items now – from the beginning.  Use a spiral notebook, a computer spreadsheet, or a clipboard and a pad of paper.  Update your inventory with the item and date of purchase as it goes into storage and of course, mark it off as it rotates out.
Another good idea is to use a sharpie or a colored label to mark the purchase date on each item.  That is the crazy, simple way of using the FIFO method of food rotation (FIFO = First In, First Out).
Note: Just because you are not going to be paranoid about food rotation does not mean you should ignore the wisdom of using your oldest items first.

10.  Do Your Homework
Resources abound.  With a modest amount of computer knowledge, you can Google around the internet to find all sorts of emergency food and food storage advice.  Be an informed consumer.  Learn about the foods that store well and also about pre-packaged meals that only require a bit of hot water to create a good-tasting and satisfying food experience.
Learn about bulk foods and cooking methods that your can use when there is no power to your home.  Many of the websites selling food will have blogs as well as links to helpful information.  Why not use them to increase your overall knowledge and  become familiar with additional tactics and strategies for storing food for the long term in a hassle free manner?

THE FINAL WORD

As you read through this list, I hope you can visualize the number and variety of meals that can be made by mixing and matching the items listed in the kick-start plan.  How about some rice, salsa, and canned chicken cooked into a casserole in your cast iron skillet?  Or pancakes topped with canned peaches and honey?  Then there are pinto beans, combined with rice and corn, and topped with a bit of Tabasco for a fiesta-style meal.
Well okay, perhaps these are not gourmet delights but with the added condiments, they will taste good and be as healthy as you can expect food to be when fresh meats and produce or unavailable.
Is this a complete list of everything you will need to be fully prepared food-wise?  Heck no.  Are the quantities adequate to feed a family for a month, three months or longer?  Perhaps a month but not much longer.  Truthfully, for long term storage you need more food and more variety (read about the top survival food brands here) as well as some packaging methods (Mylar bags or buckets plus [amazon_textlink asin=’B004FRZ7PC’ text=’oxygen absorbers‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’bds100-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f052d72c-4cb2-11e7-95ae-c18801e196b1′]) to insure that your will food stay viable and pest free for years to come.
But for now we are more focused on either getting started our rounding out our basic survival pantry.   And for that, these 20 items will do just fine.