Also, I forgot to mention, when I find a sale or open one of the foods, I like to buy one to eat and 1-3 for the pantry; more if I can.
If I open a jar of peanut butter for example, it goes on the list. I watch the sales, and try to replace it and buy some extra by the time the jar is empty.
It is also one of the basic 6 food groups(oils). It is not a required oil, but it does provide some variety and a little protein, and we all love it.
I only buy foods that we love in each of the food groups:
Grains, Dairy, Sugar or other sweetners, salt, fats & oils, dried legumes. That’s the basic 6 foods. You’ll need a few miscellaneous like baking powder and soda, yeast, boullion etc. But the “survival” storage basics are few and pretty cheap.
Build that first, a week, or month at a time if necessary, then add lots more of your favorites for variety. Stay focused on your goal which I think is to get the basics as quickly as possible.
This sounds like the “hearty pioneer stock” that Louis L’Amour often spoke about.