Thank you.
5 gallon bucket with a lid that seals tight at Home Depot for a little over $3.00...
If they can prevent paint from drying up for years, it will seal well enough to preserve your food...
I have found that they hold about 33 lbs of food [rice, flour of sugar] and it equates to about 80 cups...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_V-DZdfwjQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkiU1fUtsE
It's important to use buckets that are "food grade". Buckets that are food grade will be marked "HDPE" or will show the number "2" inside the universal recycling logo. Also buckets made of polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene will work.
The purpose of the mylar is to maintain the vacuum seal, the purpose of the buckets is to portect against rodents and/or accidental damage.
It's a good idea to use a "food saver" to evacuate air from the bags as you pack them (in addition to using the oxygen absorbers).
Packing 40-50lb bags of white rice and pinto beans is a very good way to start (low cost and excellent energy and nutrition - and if prepared properly quite tasty as well). You should also store back some vitamins to go with these.
Beans and rice packed in this way, and stored at room temp, can be preserved between 20-30 years.
And, dealing with water issues is even more important.