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....
Thank you for the comments on Florida storage. I, unfortunately, live in a villa and don’t have access to a garage. Most of my storage area consists of an attic space I built out and an outdoor workshop/shed. Either way, both are exposed to the Florida heat and humidity and associated changes. I’m a bit of a pack rat, and my wife is very particular about what’s stored in the house, so having large barrels around would likely be met with derision.
That being said, I think I’ve convinced her to let me buy a vacuum sealer. Does anyone have experience with them who might point out specific manufacturers or models? I see some on Amazon for ~$120, which is tolerable.
cans
wow!
I think I’ve convinced her to let me buy a vacuum sealer.
I have had one for years and to me it is worth every penny. Sometimes, when I am lazy, I put my bought meats in zip locks telling myself that I will use them within a short period of time only to find them at the bottom of my freezer - frost bitten! When I am a good girl and vacuum like I should they remain red and ready for me. I do my vegs as well. Also they are great for important papers, pictures and emergency supplies you dont want to get wet. Also, everything can be vacuum packed. I am sure you will get good advice and tips on this blog that will be helpful. I would appreciate all advice myself on future vacuuming.
You have a brand preference or suggestion, Bitsy?
Me too. Pork would do and it is good in green chili.
We are going to work on that. What do you think the shelf life is? I read different opinions.
That’s enough for 2-3 people to live frugally, for 6-8mos, if necessary, except for water. I have 6 wells and hand pumps. I’ve still got more to add to 2 more shelves out of frame, on left-side.
Agreed. Buy 50lb bags of popcorn. The last one was about $25. I store mine in 1/2 gallon glass jars that are vacuum sealed. It can be ground and makes good cornbread.
I'm hesitant to do that as I have read that the oils and fats in chocolate can go rancid after as little as a year unless stored in a freezer. But, I suppose toll house chips are cheap enough for now it might be worth a try. Thanks!
My son and I both have Food Savers but maybe someone on the blog has other suggestions. We are very happy with the product.
Time to buy a place of your own. How can you stand all that poison around you and strangers in and out of your home?
Updated pic here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2938733/posts?page=76#76
No beer down there; sorry. I quit all alcohol 21-mos ago.
I just bought a Food Saver on Amazon. Should be here by Friday. The wife’s excited.
Those are 2 bottles of Kikoman Soy Sauce. I’d probably stock Guinness & Rolling Rock if I still drank beer. Or single malt Scotch.
Should be here by Friday. The wife’s excited.
You’re going to have lots of fun. Let me hear how you and your wife like it.
The dose that you suggested would be more than 100 times higher, and would definitely be toxic.
Chlorination of public water supplies and swimming pools is now illegal in most European countries.
Did you notice that when the Olympics were held in LA, they had to convert the pools to ozone/hydrogen peroxide or the European contestants would not enter the pools?
Sadly, the pools were converted back to poison mode after the Olympics were over. (the US is insane WRT health matters)
>> “What good is it to store something that for most will very likely go bad” <<
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Crisco amd margarine starts out worse than “bad” olive oil.
Olive oil will not go ‘bad’ if you wrap it in foil to keep the light out, and store it in a cool basement or crawl space. (it may lose its flavor though)
Only know of food saver. rats will eat thru these uf not in bucket or something. store lots if tuna ham and canned chicken. bisquick is good for awhile. good luck. p.s i live in central fla polk county.
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