Long-Term Emergency Survival Food

Are you worried about being unprepared in a long-term or unexpected emergency? Stocking up on long-term survival food is essential to ensure you're ready for off-grid scenarios. Read on to find out the best foods for stocking up your pantry.

Types of Long-Term Emergency Survival Foods

For surviving long-term emergencies, it's a must to know what kinds of food can last and provide the nutrients your body needs. To create your plan, consider:

• Canned foods
• Freeze-dried or dehydrated food
• Bulk foods
• Seeds for sprouting
• Animal protein

These subsections will help you understand the food options for long-term emergencies.

Image credits: emergencypreparedness.page by Joel Duncun

Canned Foods

Canning as an Emergency Food Storage Method

Canned foods are a popular choice for emergency supply kits due to their long shelf life and portability. Here are three key points about canned foods:

1. Variety: Canned vegetables, meats, soups, and fruits are all calorie-dense and packed with essential nutrients. They can be eaten directly from the can or mixed into meals.
2. Shelf Life: Most canned goods have a shelf life of several years if stored in a dry, cool area away from light. This makes them ideal for long-term food storage needs.
3. Convenience: Cans are easy to stack and store in waterproof containers. Plus, most cans come with pull tabs that make them easy to open without additional tools.

It's important to note that canned goods should not be the only emergency items included in a disaster supply kit. Medical supplies, hygiene supplies, a portable radio with extra batteries, flashlights or lanterns with extra batteries, camping cookstove with fuel or sternocans, waterproof container for important documents/identification papers/medications/cash and credit cards, fire extinguisher, blankets or extra clothing (weather dependent), shovel and other useful tools should also be considered for inclusion alongside any necessary regular medicine needs.

Pro Tip: When stocking up on canned foods for emergency preparedness kits it is advisable to consider nutrition tips such as including vitamin and mineral supplements along with protein supplements like powdered milk and soybeans. Bulk staples such as wheat, corn, beans (pinto beans or navy beans etc), salt and oil should also be stored along with ready-to-eat foods. For infants/small children's needs include infant formula; cereals; baby food options while still taking care to ensure adults have sufficient high-energy/high-protein/nutritious food options available.

Dehydrated or freeze-dried foods are like astronaut meals, minus the zero gravity and cool space suit.

Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Foods

List of Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up

• Dehydrated Foods: These are foods that have had their moisture removed through a drying process. They often require water to rehydrate before consumption and can include fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, and pasta mixes.
• Freeze-Dried Foods: These are foods that have been frozen and then placed in a vacuum chamber where the frozen water is converted directly from solid ice to vapor, without passing through a liquid phase. The result is a lightweight and shelf-stable food that can include fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and convenience mixes.
• Fats and Oil: These can be added to meals for increased calories and sustained energy during emergencies.
• Vitamin C: Stocking foods with vitamin C can prevent scurvy in the long term as fresh fruits may not always be available. A lack of this nutrient leads to weakness in the body's connective tissues.
• Foods for Infants: Special consideration should be given to stock up on foods suitable for infants that require no-refrigeration such infant cereals or baby foods.
• Canned Meats: These provide long-term protein solutions such as canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey.

It's crucial to stock up on high-quality entrees such as those offered by ReadyWise or similar companies to help protect your loved ones during weather-related events like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, etc. With the fear of missing out on those essential items, it's important to start stocking non-perishable food items like:

• peanut butter
• crackers
• whole-wheat crackers
• nuts
• trail mixes
• multigrain cereals
• granola bars
• power bars
• dried fruits (apricots, raisins)
• canned meats (canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey)
• green beans
• carrots
• peas
• canned beans (chickpeas, black beans, white beans)
• canned soups
• chili
• dry pasta
• pasta sauces
• bottled water
• sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade)
• sugar
• pepper
• multivitamins to meet all your dietary requirements

In addition, fresh produce like apples, citrus fruits, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, cucumbers, summer squash, winter squash, and hard packaged sausages such as soppressata or pepperoni may keep well in a refrigerator but should be consumed before the power outage.

If the apocalypse hits, just remember: buying in bulk now will save you from getting skinnier than a vegan at a steakhouse.

Bulk Foods

Long-Term Emergency Survival Food Bulk Foods are a crucial aspect of emergency preparedness. These foods come in large quantities and can sustain an individual or family for extended periods if natural disasters strike.

• Stock up on staple items such as rice, dark hard winter and spring wheat, beans, lentils, and iodized salt.
• Canned goods such as canned salmon, canned chicken, canned turkey, sopressata all have a long shelf life and are high in protein.
• Dried milk products like non-fat dry milk, canned evaporated milk, pasteurized cheese spreads and powdered cheese have long shelf lives and provide essential nutrients.
• Pack emergency food items for infants and small children's needs. This includes open food boxes that contain multi-vitamins and mineral tablets along with cooking utensils and cookware too.

It's essential to take into account special dietary needs when stocking up on Long-Term Emergency Survival Food. Consider including high-fiber nutritious foods in case medical concerns arise. Sterno cans make it easier to warm-up food without needing electricity. Make sure you have a can opener on hand at all times.

Pro Tip: Freezers play an important role in storing bulk foods longer than their usual shelf-life. Ensure that you have plenty of ice packs to keep the freezer cold should the power go out during natural disasters or unexpected emergencies.

Grow your own apocalypse garden with these sprouting seeds – because nothing screams ‘end of the world' quite like alfalfa and mung beans.

Seeds for Sprouting

Seeds for Germination

Discover the importance of including seeds for germination in your long-term emergency survival food planning.

• Seeds for sprouting offer a high degree of versatility and nutrition.
• You can cultivate them in small spaces with minimal equipment and resources.
• Different types of seeds mature at different times, providing a continuous food source.
• Popular options include alfalfa, lentils, mung beans, radish, and wheat.
• Sprouts are rich in protein, essential vitamins, minerals, fiber as well as antioxidants necessary for healthy living.

Incorporating seed foods into your emergency diet can benefit people with special dietary requirements due to constraints when they have exhausted their regular stockpiles. For those living in flood-prone areas or other natural disaster sites, Seeds for Sprouting could help overcome some difficult situations.

Pro Tip: Research the shelf life of different types of sprouting seeds to ensure that you have a variety that will last throughout an extended crisis.

Looks like the apocalypse just got a little tastier with these animal proteins, guaranteed to bring out the inner hunter-gatherer in you.

Animal Protein

Long-Term Emergency Survival Food: Animal Protein

Animal protein is an essential source of nutrition in long-term emergency survival situations. Meats like beef, pork, and chicken have high protein content but are not always practical for storage. Canned meats like tuna, salmon, and sardines have a longer shelf life and provide a convenient way to include animal protein in the diet.

Dairy products like cheese and canned milk offer another source of animal protein but require refrigeration. Powdered milk is an excellent alternative and has a longer shelf life. Egg powder or freeze-dried eggs also add essential nutrients to the diet.

It's important to consider special needs when selecting animal proteins. Small children have different dietary needs than adults; stocking foods for infants can be crucial. For those with lactose intolerance or allergies, plant-based proteins like dried beans or dark hard spring wheat are good alternatives.

Incorporating animal proteins into your emergency food supply can be costly, but it's worth considering for the added nutritional value it provides. Rotate stock regularly to ensure freshness and maintain a variety in your long-term emergency survival food supply. When it comes to long-term survival foods, remember: you can live without pizza, but not without nutrients.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Long-Term Survival Foods

Choosing the perfect long-term survival foods is a must. To stay healthy and well-fed, pay attention to the nutrition, shelf life, and storage requirements. These factors influence your food selection. Read on for details on how these factors affect your choice of survival food!

Image credits: emergencypreparedness.page by Harry Arnold

Nutritional Value

Optimal Nutrition for Long-Term Emergency Foods

Adequate nutrition is crucial during emergencies; thus, assessing nutritional value is paramount when selecting long-term survival foods.

Nutritional Value:

The table below displays the nutrient content in common long-term emergency foods required per day to meet daily dietary needs for an adult. The nutrients include carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins. The shelf life of each food item is included to ensure their suitability for long-term storage.

Food Item	Carbohydrates (g)	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Minerals (mg)	Vitamins (IU)	Shelf Life (years)
Rice	205	3	–	7	–	5
Beans	186	14	—	184	–	10
Milk	—	—	—	–	500-(Vitamin D)	20
Canned	–	–	–	–	-400-(Vitamin A)	5
Meat	—	56(g-beef,43-g chicken)	3-31	—	–	2-5

Infants and small children's needs are not met by the above nutrient values. Hence consider opting for high-protein foods like powdered eggs and peanut butter.

Incorporating these factors will ensure optimal sustenance and save money on future food supplements. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), protein deficiency can result in morbidity or mortality during natural disasters.

If the apocalypse hits, my expiration date is probably sooner than that can of spam.

Shelf Life

The period that food remains edible is referred to as the Edibility Timeframe. It's crucial to consider the shelf life of foods when choosing long-term survival foods. Here is a table showing the shelf life of commonly used emergency survival foods.

Food Type	Shelf Life
Canned Goods	2-5 Years
Dried Beans & Legumes	10+ years if properly stored in an airtight container
Rice and Grains (unopened)	8+ Years if properly stored in an airtight container

It's essential to keep in mind that infant needs and small children's needs are distinct, and their dietary requirements should be considered carefully. Aside from expiry dates, factors such as environmental variables like humidity, sunlight, and temperatures can influence shelf life.

According to the USDA, most canned goods are safe to eat indefinitely if they have no expiry date or have been stored correctly. Remember, if your long-term survival food is stored in a zombie-proof bunker, but you forget the key, you're just a well-fed zombie snack.

Storage Conditions

When choosing long-term survival foods, it's crucial to consider the storage conditions of the food. This can have a significant impact on the longevity and quality of the food during an emergency situation.

To ensure your survival food has a longer shelf life, store them in a cool, dry place away from light and moisture. It is crucial to keep the storage areas clean and organized regularly to prevent pests or rodents' infestations. Re-sealable bags or containers with airtight lids are highly preferable to keep moisture out.

Moreover, storage temperature also plays a role in preserving stone foods’ nutritional value and taste. Some commercial brands require storing at room temperature, while others may require refrigeration. Read the label carefully before purchasing.

Pro Tip: Keeping small children's needs in mind when storing long-term emergency survival food would be helpful for parents who are precautious about preparing ahead of time for themselves and young ones. Because what's the point of surviving the apocalypse if your long-term survival food goes bad?

Tips for storing your stash like a doomsday doomsquad.

How to Store Long-Term Survival Foods

Packaging? Storage? Rotating supplies? In case of emergencies, this section will guide you through the steps of long-term food survival. We'll look at the food's durability, the environment and convenience. This will give you the power to manage your food supply in a crisis.

Image credits: emergencypreparedness.page by Adam Arnold

Proper Packaging

Using Appropriate Packaging for Storing Long-Term Emergency Survival Food

Proper packaging is crucial in storing long-term emergency survival food. The right packaging ensures that the food stays fresh and retains its nutritional value for an extended period. It's advisable to use oxygen absorbers, moisture barriers, and vacuum sealing products to remove any air from the packaging. Doing this helps prevent bacteria growth and oxidation.

To enhance shelf life further, store the packaged food in a cool, dry, and dark place like a pantry. Avoid storage areas with high humidity or temperatures as they accelerate spoilage.

Consider the storage needs of small children as they require more frequent meals than adults do. Hence, consider storing quick snacks like granola bars that provide energy when on-the-go.

Lastly, proper packaging helped save a family during Hurricane Harvey's flooding in Texas in 2017. They had stored vacuum-sealed rice and beans in waterproof totes that remained intact throughout the disaster; they survived for several weeks on those supplies while trapped in their home.

When it comes to storing long-term survival foods, remember: out of sight, out of mind, out of reach of hungry zombies.

Storage Location

When storing long-term survival foods, it's essential to consider the storage location carefully. The ideal storage area should be cool, dry and away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture.

It's best to store food in a room that is consistently around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, such as a basement or cellar. Many preppers often use an underground root cellar for bulk storing of long-term survival foods.

Additionally, storing your emergency food supply in waterproof containers helps protect from moisture and humidity damage while making it easier to rotate and organize your inventory efficiently. Vacuum-sealed bags are also a popular option for long-term food storage.

When selecting the storage location for your survival food supply, prioritize accessibility and convenience without sacrificing safety or security.

Moreover, ensuring proper ventilation is critical. Proper airflow guarantees that any potential odors evaporated outside the room so that it doesn't attract pests or rodents' attention.

Considering small children's needs when stocking up on survival foods and keeping them out of their reach can help avoid inconvenient accidents.

Who needs a revolving door when you can have a rotating supply of survival food?

Rotation of Supplies

When it comes to maintaining your emergency food supplies, it is crucial to implement a thoughtful system of Rotation of Inventory. This is the process of managing your long-term survival foods so that you have access to fresh and usable items in case of an emergency.

• Keep Track of Expiration Dates: By regularly checking the expiration dates on your food supplies and rotating them as needed, you ensure that you always have usable and safe items.
• First In, First Out Method: Use the ‘First in, First out' method when taking food items for consumption so that older foods are consumed before newer ones.
• Periodic Inspections: Schedule periodic inspections of your supplies and be prepared to restock expired or damaged items. Set up alerts in advance using a task manager or calendar app.

In managing your long-term survival foods, it's important to keep small children's needs at the top of your mind. Make sure you store familiar foods easily acceptable to children such as crackers, fruit snacks, cereals, etc., in easily accessible areas for safety purposes.

To ensure that your emergency food supplies remain useful for years to come, consider storing them in climate-controlled areas with minimal exposure to light, moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Use heavy-duty containers with tight-fitting lids and place them off the ground by storing them on shelves or stands. By following these protocols along with careful monitoring outlined about Rotation of Supplies above, you can sustain the nutrients essential for survival during emergencies without compromising taste or safety measures.

FAQs about Long-Term Emergency Survival Food

What are some long-term emergency survival food options for small children's needs?

Some long-term emergency survival food options that are suitable for small children's needs include:

• Dried fruits and vegetables: These are rich in nutrients and can be rehydrated for softer texture for small children.
• Powdered milk: Powdered milk made from whole milk is a good source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. It can be added to many recipes for small children like smoothies, soups, and baked goods.
• Peanut butter: Peanut butter has long shelf life and is high in protein and healthy fats that are beneficial for small children's growth and development.
• Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a filling and nutritious breakfast food that can be easily prepared by mixing with hot water or milk and adding dried fruit, nuts, or honey for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Canned or pouched fruits and vegetables: These are convenient and easy to store and provide essential vitamins and minerals for small children's needs. Look for brands with no added sugars or preservatives.
• Baby food pouches: These are specifically designed for infants and toddlers and come in a variety of flavors and textures that are easy to eat and digest.

Why is it important to have long-term emergency survival food on hand?

Having long-term emergency survival food on hand is important because there may be situations where access to food is limited or completely cut off, such as during natural disasters or extended power outages. It is important to have a stockpile of non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods that can sustain you and your family for several weeks or even months until normal services are restored. Being prepared can also help alleviate the stress and worry of not knowing where your next meal will come from.

What are some factors to consider when selecting long-term emergency survival food?

When selecting long-term emergency survival food, consider the following factors:

• Nutrition: The food should be nutrient-dense and provide a good balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
• Shelf life: The food should have a long shelf life of at least a year or more so it can be stored for extended periods without spoiling.
• Ease of preparation: The food should be easy to prepare with minimal equipment or cooking resources.
• Taste: The food should be palatable and enjoyable to eat to help maintain morale and mental well-being during a stressful situation.
• Special dietary needs: Consider any special dietary needs, such as allergies or intolerances, and choose foods that are safe and appropriate for those needs.

How should I store my long-term emergency survival food?

Your long-term emergency survival food should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and pests. You can store it in a dark pantry, a cool basement or root cellar, or in a sealed, waterproof container in a safe outdoor location. It is important to rotate your stock and check expiration dates regularly to ensure the food remains fresh and safe to eat.

What is the recommended amount of long-term emergency survival food to have on hand?

The recommended amount of long-term emergency survival food to have on hand varies depending on factors such as the size of your family, dietary needs, and foreseeable risks in your region. As a general rule, it is recommended to have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for each person in your household. For long-term survival food stockpiles, aim for at least a 30-day supply and consider storing extra for unforeseen circumstances.

Can I rely solely on long-term emergency survival food for my nutritional needs?

While long-term emergency survival food can provide essential nutrients and sustained energy, it is not recommended to rely solely on it for your nutritional needs over an extended period. It is important to maintain a varied and balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods for optimal health and well-being. In a survival situation, however, long-term emergency survival food can provide a life-sustaining source of sustenance until normal services are restored.