15 Essential Tips for Long Term Food Storage
The importance of long-term food storage cannot be overemphasized. In circumstances such as natural disasters, quarantines, or financial hardships, having a well-stocked pantry can ensure your family’s survival. However, storing food properly is essential to maintain its nutritional value, flavor, and usability. In this article, we’ll guide you through fifteen essential tips to help you safely store your long-term food supplies.
1. Know Your Storage Conditions
The most effective conditions for long-term food storage are cool, dark, and dry. High temperatures can accelerate food deterioration, so ensure your storage area’s average temperature is around 60°F. Sunlight can degrade stored food and packaging materials. Lastly, moisture can spoil food, and attract pests.
2. Opt for Canned Goods
Canned goods are a great option due to their long shelf life which can extend up to five years or more. They are less affected by storage conditions. Ensure to check for bulges or signs of spoilage before consumption.
3. Pressure Canned Homemade Foods
Pressure canning your homemade soups, meats, and vegetables is an excellent approach to preserving flavor and nutrition value over a long period.
4. Choose Foods with Extended Shelf Life
Select food items like white rice, honey, salt, sugar, and dried lentils. These can last for years when stored in a cool, dry and dark place.
5. Preserve Grain with Oxygen Absorbers
Oxygen absorbers can successfully eliminate oxygen from a sealed environment, preventing oxidation and extending your food’s lifespan.
6. Store Water Wisely
Safe, clean water is essential to use with your food supply. Store water in BPA-free containers and consider potential options for water purification.
7. Rotate Your Stock
First-in-first-out (FIFO) is a rule of thumb when cycling through your stored food. This way, nothing goes bad or wasted.
8. Keep an Inventory
An inventory helps you keep track of what you have already stored and what more you might require to sustain your family for a specific time.
9. Vacuum-pack Dried Foods
Vacuum packing removes oxygen, which is essential for many food-deteriorating bacteria. This process can considerably extend the shelf life of dried foods like pulses and grains.
10. Use Mylar Bags
Mylar bags combined with oxygen absorbers are perfect for storing bulk staple foods like grains, beans, or rice.
11. Store Food in Original Packages
If they are correctly sealed, many foods can be kept safe in their original packages, preventing the risk of contamination.
12. Label Foods with Date
Label all stored items with dates of purchase and use-by dates, so you can use them before their expiration dates.
13. Create a Balance
Ensure you store a balanced diet, including protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and of course, fruits and vegetables.
14. Prioritize Foods according to Needs
All family members have different nutritional needs. Keep this factor in mind while storing and rotating your food.
15. Protect from Pests
Ensuring your storage area is pest-free is vital. Using sealable, robust containers can help protect your food supplies from pests.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I store all types of food for a long term?
No, not all food types are suitable for long-term storage. Foods high in fat and oil content can turn rancid, and fresh fruits and vegetables will spoil unless properly canned or dehydrated.
2. What are the best locations for long-term food storage?
A dry basement or a cool, dark room would make excellent storage locations. Stay away from places with high temperatures, like an attic or a non-insulated garage.
3. How to avoid pests in my food storage?
You can prevent pests by using sturdy, sealed containers for storage and maintaining cleanliness in your storage area at all times. Regularly inspecting your supplies also helps identify any potential issues early.
