Food Storage Basics

This list of food storage basics has been compiled as an outline to help those of you who like to follow step-by-step tasks to accomplish your food storage goals. Hopefully it will also help you find more information about these basics easily and quickly.

Shelving and Containers

Begin with Food Storage Systems to help you decide where to put everything. Then visit Food Storage Containers to learn what kind of containers are needed for the food products you choose.

Storing Water

Emergency storage should always begin with water. You can live without food, for a while, but you cannot live without water. Decide where to store it, how much, in what kind of containers, and how to purify it if needed.

The 3-Month Pantry Method

If you are just beginning your food storage, having a 3-month supply of the foods your family eats regularly is better than nothing. It is also VERY helpful if your mother-in-law (or any other guests) happen to drop in around dinner time. You will always be prepared if you can accomplish this task first. Try this method and see if it works for you.

Storing Grains

With grains being a staple in so many foods we eat and their shelf life longer than most products, storing a variety grains is a good place to begin your long term storage.

Legumes (aka beans)

Beans are a great companion food for many recipes. They are nutritious and contain protein and fiber. Store the kinds your family likes.

Recipe Ingredients

You will want to have these food products on hand because most are necessary for completing any recipe. Purchase them when they are on sale and add to your 3-month pantry supplies.

Fruits and Vegetables

There are several ways to store fruits and vegetables: You can grow your own, buy freeze-dried or dehydrated, or buy canned. You can grow your own and preserve them yourself or buy in bulk from a local farmer or farmer's market and preserve them.

Comfort Foods

No, you don't NEED them, but in a stressful crisis situation, comfort foods can help children especially feel like things are a bit more normal. What are comfort foods?

Non-Food Items

Store non-food items as well as food products. Watch the sales and buy in bulk. What non-food items are important to your family?

Long-Term Planning Information

The first place to begin is with the Food Storage Calculator. This simple to use calculator will give you an idea of how much of many products you will need to store for your family. Then learn all you can from Long-Term Food Storage and the shelf life of these food products. Please feel free to ask questions or make suggestions on this subject HERE.