How to Buy Survival Food

Storing survival food can be an act of love for your family as you prepare for anything from income loss to terrorist attacks, civil unrest, interruption in the food supply or a prolonged economic depression.

Many experts recommend that every family have at least two weeks' emergency food supplies in the home. This doesn't mean just the extra food in your cupboard or fridge, but also food that stores well and can be prepared without electricity if necessary.

Here are some things to consider when buying, making or storing survival food.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wheat: survival food

   Purchase wheat and other grain berries in bulk. Look for discounts on large purchases through your local natural food co-op or buying club. Be sure to buy a functioning manual grain mill so that you can make your own flour even without electricity.

2. Bean mix

   Obtain several large bags or buckets of beans and legumes, such as a bean soup mix, to provide protein and nutrients very cheaply for your family. As with all survival food, practice cooking and eating the items during normal times to ensure knowledge and appetite are compatible with the food in question.

3. Rice

   Look for rice in bulk, preferably brown basmati rice that is nutritionally superior to its white counterpart. Rice goes rancid if not properly stored; pack it in full food-grade buckets with fresh oxygen absorption packets to prolong its shelf life, and keep it in a cool, dry location.

4. Make or buy preserved meat, such as beef jerky, for protein. Pemmican is a wonderful survival food, providing calories, protein, fat and essential nutrients. Freeze-dried meat is an excellent modern option as well.

5. Bulk coconut oil

   Add a large amount of fat or oil to your survival food storage. I recommend coconut oil, which is stable, healthy, stores quite well and can be used for cooking, baking, sauteing and using raw. A five gallon bucket will last for quite a while.

6. Round out your food storage with dried eggs, powdered milk, dehydrated cheese and canned butter to ensure you have dairy products as needed.

7. Include cooking catalysts, especially salt, sugar, yeast, baking soda, baking powder, and honey, in your long-term food storage.

8. Freeze dried food

   Look into buying freeze dried entrees, meals and single-ingredient items. The taste and quality of freeze dried food is such that you can eat it during "normal" times too. Since it last 30 years, you will likely find a need for it long before it expires.

9. Survival food kit

   Consider buying a complete survival food and water storage package for your family (link under resources, below). The cost may be significant up front, but the peace of mind will be incredible.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotate your food storage. Whatever is purchased first should be eaten first and replaced with newer items.

• Add treats such as chocolate, coffee, tea, candy, trail mix and other snacks to your survival food supply.

• Avoid losing your valuable food items to waste due to improper storage. Moisture, insects and vermin will wreak havoc on foods not properly contained.

Resources

• Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
• 72-Hour Survival Kits
• Buy Wheat Berries Online
• Coconut oil in bulk containers
• The Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
• Survival Food List