Do you like to be prepared for emergencies?
Living through a pandemic has likely shown you that you need to know how to take care of yourself. We’ve all come a long way and learned that preparation is key when living through a pandemic.
Knowing how to properly preserve your food can make a big difference when facing a pandemic, but proper food storage can be useful all the time. We now know how quickly food can run out at grocery stores, so proper storage and preservation are important!
Here’s how to store food so it won’t spoil.
How to Store Food for Years to Come
After eating a meal, you can place your leftovers in sealed containers in your refrigerator for up to seven days maximum. Unfortunately, your leftovers can’t factor into a long-term plan for food storage.
If you want your food to last for a few months to a year, vacuum sealing and canning vegetables and meat will keep them preserved by protecting them from oxygen and moisture that will make your food spoil quickly. When canning or vacuum sealing your own foods, always write the date on the package or can before moving them to your storage area.
If you want to play it safe, you can add a few MREs to your stockpile of food. MREs are military-grade meals that can last up to five years and are perfect for emergencies.
Additionally, you should have the proper equipment to cook your food, so be sure to do your research and know what can fulfill all your needs.
Keep an Eye on Your Prepper Food Storage
Where you store your food is just as critical as how you preserve it.
Ideally, you want to store your food in a cool, dry, dark basement or storage area that’s between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your food on heavy-duty shelving and sort your foods so the oldest items are toward the front to ensure you go through them before getting to the newer items.
You can also store your food in boxes as long as they’re off the ground, provide proper airflow, and protect your food from moisture.
Best Prepper Foods
The best prepper checklist includes short-term food items such as:
- Canned or dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- Dehydrated meat and fish
- Dehydrated dairy products
- Supplemental vitamins
Some of these can last 10 to 30 years, so try to add them to your prepper food list for long-term storage:
- Hard grains like buckwheat
- Rolled oats for oatmeal
- White rice
- Dry pasta
Preparing Food for the Future
In these uncertain times, access to properly preserved food can go a long way in keeping you and your family safe and healthy. Now that you know how to store food, you can rest assured that your preparation won’t go to waste!
Be sure to check back regularly for more healthy food advice.