Posted on 10/01/2012 12:20:57 PM PDT by djf
As food prices continue to skyrocket, having a bulk supply of food is a great investment. But it also provides security and peace of mind against potential emergencies.
By now most people should be aware that grocery stores only have about 3 days of food in stock when crises strike. So if anything was to disrupt the food supply chain for an extended period of time, there would be untold chaos in most communities.
Any number of events could trigger mass disruption to a fragile food system, many of which are well documented and even predicted. Even NASA has warned its staff to prepare for potential disasters with survival foods and other precautions with their "Family Preparedness Program."
Prepping for disasters can seem overwhelming with so many aspects to be considered. However, for those just beginning to recognize how perilous these times are and are new to prepping, you can find many great survival foods at your local grocery store.
There are many fancy freeze-dried food companies offering light-weight storable meals. These are cost effective and great for new preppers. But if you don't have $1000 laying around to by a large supply, it may be better to pick up a few key items each week at the supermarket to build up your food bank gradually. And by buying base foods at the store, you'll ultimately save money.
It's best to keep your survival food list simple, and concentrate on storing foods with the highest amount of calories and the longest shelf life. This list is geared toward foods that will help you survive a crisis that lasts for extended periods of time.
Here are the ten best and cheapest survival rations available at any store:
Rice: Every time you go to the store you should buy one 10-lb bag of rice. You can find them for around $5 at most supermarkets. Rice will stay in good condition for 10 years or more if stored properly. It offers high carbohydrates which is especially important if you are exerting a lot of physical energy during a crisis.
Beans: Beans are known to be one of the best all-round survival foods. They're high in protein, and if sealed in food-grade buckets with a small amount of dried ice, they'll stay for up to ten years. Make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark location. Buy a 4-5 lb bags of dried beans every time you go to the store. All dry beans are good to store; black beans, red beans, pinto beans, lentils, etc.
Cornmeal: All-purpose flours are good to store, but cornmeal may be the best overall. Cornmeal is packed with dense carbohydrates and contains oils that helps extend its shelf life. Additionally, if the power grid is down during a mega disaster, it is much easier to make good corn breads and tortillas with cornmeal in a simple skillet or solar oven, where refined flour will need yeast and oil to make decent bread or biscuits. Get a 5-lb bag of cornmeal ($10-$15) at each grocery visit. Seal and store the same way as beans (buckets, salt and dry ice), and it will safely keep 8 months to 2 years.
Lard: If you're a health-conscious reader, hydrogenated lard does not sound very appetizing, but in a survival situation you can't afford to be picky. Animal lard or vegetable shortening both offer much-needed calories during times of crisis, cooking oil for multiple uses, and it will keep longer than cooking oils because of the hydrogenation. Buy a 6-lb can ($12) and store in a cool, dry, and dark place and it will stay good for 2-3 years or longer.
Salt: Salt is one of the most useful survival food items. It's used for storing food, curing beef, and flavoring most meals. Salt will stay forever, so always buy extra when you're shopping.
Canned Fruit & Vegetables: These are another obvious survival food, but not as practical as many would think. They're heavy and somewhat costly for the calories they deliver. Additionally, acidic fruits and any cans with tomatoes will not keep as long as most people think. But most canned food is good for 5+ years. Buy green vegetables and fruits like peaches and pears for long-term storage, but more importantly, buy what you already eat in case you need to rotate them into your diet before they go bad.
Canned Meat: Canned meats like ham, tuna, and chicken are excellent to store. They typically will keep for 6-10 years and they're an excellent source of protein. However, if the grid is down for a long time (apocalyptic), hunting and fishing will likely provide most meats. Therefore, it may be sufficient to buy extra canned meats every other time you go shopping.
Sugar: Brown and white sugar will add much-needed flavor and calories to a survival diet and they'll keep for ten years or more if stored properly. Honey is also excellent as it will store forever. Make sure to buy extra every other time you go grocery shopping. You won't need too much, but they'll be well worth having if a crisis strikes.
Pasta: Pasta is a good light-weight storable food that is also a great source of carbohydrates. Pasta will not keep as long as rice, but it can stay for around 5 years in good conditions. Pasta is also very inexpensive and extra should be bought at each trip to the store. It will take up more space in your food bank that rice, beans and cornmeal, so plan your space the best you can.
Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a terrific source of protein, fat, and calories. Plus, it's just a great treat to have on hand. Peanut butter can last up to five years in root cellar conditions. Stock up whenever there are good deals at your grocery store. You'll be happy you did if the SHTF.
If you consistently buy these items 3-4 times per month, you'll quickly acquire a year's supply of survival rations for your whole family.
How to store it?
A really basic way to store the rice, beans, cornmeal, sugar and pastas is to buy several 5-gallon seal-able paint buckets or food-grade buckets from your local hardware store. Put a cup or so of salt into a sandwich baggie (opened) at the bottom of the buckets. Then fill it with food stuffs and add a couple of ounces of dried ice (found at large grocery stores) which will remove the oxygen from the bucket after it's sealed. Finally, label each bucket with its contents and the date, and place it in your cellar.
Please let us know what other food items you think will be useful for new preppers....
You can buy already packed beans, rice, macaroni from any number of Preparedness food sites like Honeyville and Augason Farms. Even 5 gallon buckets ready to go.
I’ve done that as well. Even buy frozen vegetables on sale dehydrate them and then vacuum pack in canning jars.
He/she also said store food in 5 gal. paint buckets. No, no, no. Store only in 5 gal. FOOD GRADE buckets.
If it actually comes to pass that you need to use this stuff, you'll darned near sell your soul to the devil for that "high sugar content".
“Can you get a large quantity of rice, flour or other similar food stuff already vacuum sealed in a large container?”
I bought all that and more from Walton Food on the web. Most of what I got is good for 25-30 years. Walton has been in business for many years. They buy from the growers and process the foods themselves.
Thanks! I didn’t know that.
You are correct they are healthier, at least until they go rancid. ;-)
Now don’t get me wrong. I understand your emphasis on food grade buckets, etc, and your thoughts about the various nutritional values of certain foods.
But you need to understand something.
What is being planned for/discussed here is nothing like planning for a weekend camping. It’s not like after SHTF, you will wake up a year from now and wonder what you will have for breakfast, pancakes or home fries.
GET OVER THAT IDEA AND MENTALITY RIGHT NOW!
You would be DAMN lucky if a year after SHTF you can have a few crackers for breakfast instead of eating some beetles you dig up.
Yes, it’s nice and cozy to think you have all these options.
But somebody who stores ten pounds of flour in a paint bucket is WAY AHEAD of someone who didn’t store anything because he was waiting to get food grade buckets.
We’re talking the end of the world as we know it here, certainly widespread murder and likely cannibalism.
/rant off
You are right. MOST dried beans are excellent for sprouting. However, also be aware that
KIDNEY BEANS (and other large beans) SHOULD NOT BE SPROUTED - THEY ARE TOXIC!!
http://www.foodista.com/food/SJDDNTZL/kidney-bean-sprouts#s.ab7x3czmaayaa
I think what we have he is merely a poor choice of words. The buckets sold in hardware store and home improvement stores are actually food grade, but where do they sell them? In the paint department. I think it was just a poor choice of words.
Anyone have ideas for storing cooking oils? Can you put veg. oil in the fridge or freezer? Seems to me it would slow down oxidation/extend shelf life. Anyone have experience with this?
I melted Crisco and poured if into hot canning jars then put lids on them while hot. They seem to be holding up well. I plan to open a jar in a month or two and make some oatmeal raisin cookies. Then I’ll know more.
Well, my point is this. The same kind of thing I’ve been saying all along. Just like Blam. Just like you, kartographer, God bless ya. Just like ChochipMom.
NO MORE EXCUSES!!
DO IT NOW!
If you are just getting started, and need some ideas, go to the store and buy a case of stewed tomatoes!
Nobody wants to have to shoot your behind because YOU DIDN’T PLAN AHEAD!!
Nobody wants to BUT THEY WILL!!
SO DO IT NOW LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!
BECAUSE IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SelfisH!! ;-)
I am having a helluva time here in fla. had to shut off air. 600 elec bill. to quote a liberal “we r dying down here.”.
The recommendation above for coconut oil is a good one. It has, compared to most vegetable oils, a very long shelf life.
You can buy virgin coconut oil that has the regular coconut scent to it, but they also make an unscented version, if you want to like fry eggs or something.
A little thinking and planning helps if one wants to save one’s life. Every bakery has 5 gal. FOOD GRADE buckets with lids they throw away every day. I know because I got some. Chemicals are in paint buckets and I mean paint buckets that have never been used. Use them if you want poison in your system.
If someone wants to stay healthy enough to live, eat rice with those beans to have complete protein. Beans by themselves won't do it.
Right now, there are options to choose to stay alive and not die of malnutrition or poison.
Juat got my supply of one case of yoder bacon.
No, they aren’t.
thanks for the response. I’ll have to pick up some coconut oil.
However, I still would like to know if there are any detrimental effects to putting veg oil in the fridge. Does it help extend shelf life? inquiring minds want to know.
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