How to Choose Foods to Stockpile

Stockpiling food is a method of food storage used to help maintain enough food supply for people in case of an unforeseen major event that prevents the use of modern conveniences such as electricity. Most people familiar with this type of food storage will recommend having up to 90 days of food available. How do you pick the food items you will store in case of emergencies?

Things You'll Need

• Shopping list Storage containers Storage space

Instructions

1. Make a list of your favorite food items. Be sure to include all of the items you eat daily or frequently during the week.

2. Take the list with you on the next grocery trip. Note all of the items that can be purchased in cans, dry form, dehydrated or pickled. Mark these on your list.

3. Look up recipes for your favorite dishes and breads. Soups, stews and a variety of pasta dishes can be made with stockpiled food. Take time to learn some simple recipes for your favorite items and what goes into them.

4. Eliminate any food items that are perishable or have short shelf life, such as bananas or seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you have gardening ability and space, dry the seeds from some fruits and vegetables for growing when you will want them.

5. Choose the dry or condensed varieties of such items as milk, potatoes and cream.

6. Make use of dried beans and nuts. Having 5-lb. packages of these around will help stretch out recipes and meals.

7. Look for staple items that are not loaded with chemicals or flavorings. These include oatmeal, corn meal, flour, sugar, rice, honey and baking mixes.

8. Research any items with combined ingredients. These can be broken down mainly into stock items and made using simple recipes. Such items as baked beans, horseradish, ketchup, mayonnaise and hash.

9. Choose foods you could take with you on a camping trip that do not require much care or preparation.

10. Choose foods that can be packed in plastic, air-tight containers or freezer bags. These are the best storage methods.

11. Choose meal-sized containers. Buying bulk food is only valuable if you are feeding many people in a short time.

12. Choose canned meats with a fat ratio of less than 1/3 of the total calories per container. Also be aware of the type of fat used in items such as beef, pork or chicken.

13. Exclude any items made with egg, chocolate, vinegar or oils. They will spoil without proper refrigeration.