An emergency food supply is a key element of any prepper’s kit. In an extended crisis, having enough food to last for weeks or even months is paramount for maintaining your energy levels, general health and even survival. An emergency food supply is essential not only because it gives you something to eat when no other food is available but also because it helps keep you keep calm when others around you are panicking and taking risks to obtain food. If you’re looking to build up your own emergency food supplies, here are some tips on how you can do so.
Stock up on non-perishable foods
The first thing you should do when attempting to build up your emergency food supply is to stock up on non-perishable foods. These can include:
- Dried grains – Wheat, rice, oats and other grains are easy to store, last for a long time and are a good source of carbohydrates and fibre.
- Dry legumes – Beans are a good source of protein and can be stored for a long time.
- Nuts – Almonds, peanuts and walnuts are easy to store and have lots of healthy fats.
- Dried vegetables – Carrots, squash and potatoes are easy to store and have lots of vitamins and minerals.
- Dried fruits – Raisins, dates and prunes, among other dried fruits, are delicious and have lots of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Build a pantry of canned and dry food supplies
Next, build up a pantry of canned and dry food supplies. Canned foods are a great way of maintaining your emergency food supply because they are easy to store, last for a long time and can be eaten straight out of their cans. Dry food supplies are better for long-term survival, but they are harder to find, more expensive and less appealing to eat. Here are some dry or canned food items you should build up in your pantry:
- Pasta and rice – Pasta and rice are easy to store, last for a long time, and are a good source of carbohydrates.
- Soups and stews – Many canned soups and stews can be eaten straight from the can, making them convenient to store and eat.
- Canned vegetables – Canned vegetables are easy to find, last for a long time and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
- Canned fruits – Canned fruits are easy to store, last for a long time and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Don’t forget the water
Water is another essential element of any emergency food supply. Not only does it help you stay hydrated and healthy but it can also be boiled and used to sanitize your dishes, pots and pans when there is no running water. When stocking up on water, remember that you should also keep some chlorine tablets or bleach on hand so you can disinfect and clean your water containers.
Plan for vegan, gluten-free and other specialty diets
If you have certain dietary requirements like a vegan diet, you’ll want to stock up on food that can sustain you throughout an extended period of time without requiring any special preparation. Luckily, there are plenty of non-perishable foods that are vegan-friendly and easy to store. More crucially be aware of any allergies that members of your household may have – if food is temporarily scarce it might be very difficult to find the right foods for people with certain sensitivities.
Make sure your stored food is safe to eat
Finally, make sure your stored food is safe to eat. It’s common for food to go stale or mouldy, especially when it’s stored in large quantities. There are a few ways you can keep your food fresh and safe to eat:
- Keep your food in airtight containers – This will help to stop insects and mice from getting into your food.
- Rotate your food supply – Make sure you eat the oldest food supplies first and replace them with fresher items from the beginning of your supply.
- Test your food for contamination – You can do this using a food contamination tester.
- If you can afford it, buy super long life foods with shelf lives of up to 30 years – this will minimise the chance of food going to waste, or being unfit to consume when you need it most!
Conclusion
An emergency food supply is an essential part of any prepper’s kit. Not only does it give you something to eat when no other food is available but it also helps keep you healthy and clean. When building up your food supply, make sure to stock up on non-perishable foods, build a pantry of canned and dry food supplies, don’t forget the water and make sure your stored food is safe to eat.