You are not the only one who has been affected by recent events. It is obvious that every household should have food stored. Many natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or blizzards can strike without warning.
You can avoid any stress by stocking up on non-perishable foods that have a long shelf life. Your financial resources and available storage space will determine the type and quantity of food you should store.
Start small
Your long-term goal should be to have enough food to feed your family for six consecutive months. Start with smaller goals like enough food to last for a week, two weeks, and then one month.
This type of incremental plan will not break the bank or lead to panic buying, which can lead to burnout and buyer’s remorse.
Shelf life is long
Here is a list that will not spoil quickly. They are good options to stock if you need to quarantine during the coronavirus outbreak or prepare for any future unknows.
1. Beef jerky
Shelf life: 1 to 2-years
A delicious snack option in a stockpile of non-perishable foods is “jerky”, which are dried pieces of meat. It is lean, dry and salted, which contributes to its longevity when it is kept in an unopened container.
2. Canned vegetables
Shelf life: 1 to 2-years after “best by” date
Commercially canned foods can be kept for up to five years after they are opened. Tomato sauce and other high-acidic foods like tomatoes will not last as long as cans of beans. Canned foods can be a great option for natural disasters or hurricane food.
Cans of fruits and vegetables can be kept fresh for up to one year if they are not exposed to heat extremes. However, cans with swelling on the sides or tops should be thrown out as this could indicate the presence of bacteria.
3. Canned protein
Shelf life: 3 to 5-years after the “best by” date
Canned proteins such as tuna, salmon and chicken, as well as turkey, chicken, Spam and turkey can be stored for a long time. You can expect a shelf life of three to five year if they are kept in a cool, dry place and not damaged.
Canned meats are a good source of essential protein. According to the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline, vacuum-packed pouches will have a shorter shelf time but last at least six month. If you don’t own a can opener, vacuum sealed packs might be useful.
Pro Tip
Buy non-perishable goods when they are on sale. You can buy items for immediate use and a few for your stockpile. This will help you build an impressive stockpile quickly if it’s a habit.
4. Chili and canned soups
Shelf life: 1 to 2-years after “best by” date
Chili and soups can be eaten right out of cans, providing many nutrients. You might want to store a few of these items, and you should look for low-sodium options.
5. White rice
Shelf life indefinite
Nutritionists aren’t usually a fan of white rice. They point out that brown rice has more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than white rice. Brown rice has a shorter shelf life due to its higher oil content, which means it can be used within a short time.
White rice has an almost indestructible shelf life and is virtually indestructible. Its enemies are moisture, tiny insects called rice weevils and flour bugs. These pests can find their way into packages or hatch from eggs that were collected with rice.
Both problems can be solved by storing rice in sealed containers. If you do find any bugs, throw out the rice.
6. Dried pasta
Shelf life: 1 to 2-years after “best by” date
Fresh pasta made from eggs must be kept refrigerated because it can become perishable. Dried pasta made only with semolina flour and water can last for a very long time, as long as it is not opened and there are no moisture leaks.
7. Dry Beans
Shelf life indefinite
The legumes and beans dry beans are great sources of protein. They can also be stored for long periods. They can be stored dry for many years and still retain their nutritional value.
Pro Tip
Dry beans and legumes become more dry as they age in storage. To achieve the same edible tenderness that you might have experienced with shorter preparation times, you will need to soak them and cook them longer. This does not mean that they are no longer healthy or should be thrown away. No! No!
8. Apples
Shelf life: up to 6 months
This is a surprising long life food. If they are kept in a cool, dark place such as a basement or root cellar, apples can keep fresh for up to six months. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks if they are kept at room temperature in a fruit bowl. Sometimes they can last as long as a month.
9. Flour
Shelf life: 3 to 6 Months sealed; 1 Year in the refrigerator; up to 5 Years in a freezer
There are many factors that influence flour’s shelf-life, or how long it keeps fresh before it starts to spoil. Flours can stay fresh for between 3 and 8 months at room temperature. This is usually well beyond their expiration dates. The specific shelf life of flours will vary depending on their ingredients and how they are stored.
All-purpose flour will last for at least three to six months in a sealed bag. It can also be stored up to one year in the fridge.
10. Sugar
Shelf life indefinite
Sugar is one of few products that can last indefinitely. It can also harden, which is a problem for cooks. Sugar has a shelf life of approximately two years.
11. Bottled water
Shelf life indefinite
Here’s your goal: Keep at least three days worth of water on hand. You need at most one gallon per person each day. Normally active people should consume at least half a gallon of water per day. The remaining half gallon can be used to add food or wash dishes. Begin small and buy a few bottles each time you go to the grocery store. You can also use sterilized containers you fill at the tap and keep them tightly covered.
12. Sports drinks
Containers printed with shelf life information
Drinks like Powerade and Gatorade have electrolytes and carbohydrate that will help you rehydrate fluid and replenish it when water is limited. These drinks come with expiration dates, so be sure to rotate your stock according.
13. Powdered milk
Shelf life: 1 to 1,5 years
Most dairy products need refrigeration. Powdered milk, canned evaporated milk, and other dairy products are excellent stockpile options. These substitutes can be used as a source of calcium or vitamin D when fresh milk is unavailable. After 18 months, however, the texture and flavor may change.
14. Seasonings
For most, shelf life is indefinite
You may be cooking if you have access to a charcoal or propane stove. You can improve the taste of your food by having a basic supply of seasonings, salt, pepper, sweeteners, and seasonings. Items often get forgotten while building a stockpile.
The salt will not go bad. Pepper should be used within five years. After that, it could lose its potency.
Other spices may have different shelf lives, but they are generally good for many years if left unopened.
Bouillon cubes last for 2 years. This makes them a great stockpile option as they are a source delicious flavor.
15. Coffee that has been frozen dried
Shelf life: up to 25 years
Coffee that has been frozen dried is not made from coffee with any moisture. This makes it immune to bacteria. If you seal your freeze-dried coffee, it will keep its flavor and caffeine for up to 25 years.
16. Ghee
Shelf life: Up to 2 years in the freezer
Ghee can be described as “clarified butter”, which means that all milk solids have been removed. Ghee is lactose-free, so it has a very long shelf life. Ghee can be kept in an unrefrigerated container for several months, provided it is stored in cool, dark places. Ghee can be stored in the freezer for an indefinite shelf-life.
Ghee can be used as a substitute for regular butter, from spreading it on toast to popping popcorn and all the rest.
17. Dark chocolate
Shelf life: 2-5 years
Stockpiling is made easy by chocolate. Dark chocolate is more durable than milk chocolate due to its high cacao content and lack of milk.
High temperatures can be dangerous for chocolate. However, dark chocolate should last for several years at temperatures between 60 and 65 F.
18. Honey
Shelf life indefinite
Honey containers that you buy at the supermarket usually have a “best before” date. This is because honey’s color and sugar crystals can form over time. Both of these are completely harmless. Honey has an indefinite shelf-life, even up to decades or more. This is a great choice for stockpiling.
