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I have been trying to buy bags of beans and rice, but hubby is worried I won’t be able to keep them safe from bugs/mice long term.

I just started getting some supplies together to have some food storage as well. It's more expensive, but since I'm new at this (and wanted things to actually be edible in 10 years, if need be), I went ahead and ordered some pre-packed items. I searched the net and found Emergency Essentials to be very reasonable ($12 shipping!). I have some beans and grains in 6 gallon super pails lined with mylar (keeps the oxygen out), some #10 cans, and a few mason jars I've done myself - just for fun. The pails may be penetrable by rodents, so I'll have to monitor that. But they hold a lot, can be stacked, and are easy to move (well, if I have a strong he-man around!). The #10 cans are probably the best for rodents and keeping oxygen out (other than the jars), but are more expensive per pound of item. Some things only came in the cans, like powdered butter and eggs. The But they're reusable and look nice with peas and multi-colored beans in them. The mason jars look the prettiest, of course, but can break and are cumbersome to transport. I figure that with a variety of storage methods, something will have to be edible when the time comes!

It's been a fun new hobby. That, and figuring out how to get physical silver... Who would've thought survival prepardeness could be so entertaining?

I think you are wise to have a variety of storage methods. I haven’t thought about butter or eggs in a dried form. We have a few chickens that my son has been raising. He got them in grade school and we’ve had the eggs from them. He actually sold them to make money as he was too young to get a job. He’s now in high school and still does the “chores” but we haven’t been selling the eggs. I’ve also been trying to buy butter and freeze it, but a dried source seems prudent. I will check in to that. Have you tried cooking or using it yet?