How to Hoard Food for Survival During an Economic Collapse

Stocking up on canned goods is a good option when hoarding food for an emergency.

The fear of global disaster, or even issues impacting survival at home, can range from the fear of natural disaster to terrorist attacks. Those who fear the worst also have become concerned with potential ramifications of an economic collapse. The theory is that a global scale economic crisis could potentially deplete food supplies. If you follow such trains of thought, you may have considered hoarding food in the event such a situation arises. To hoard food properly means to understand what basic items you would need and thus could most readily, easily and beneficially use.

Things You'll Need

• Cellar or storage unit (climate controlled)
• Pallets
• Racks or shelving

Instructions

1. Decide what space you will be using to stockpile food and food items. Get specific measurements for the area. Use your own basement if you have one available so all items are located where you are. If you need to rent a storage facility, opt for one that is climate controlled to prevent canned items from exploding in high heat or freezing during excessively cold months.

2. Install freestanding racks in the basement or storage unit. Measure the available shelf space for each unit to get an idea of the space you have available for storing items. To add more storage space, install shelves on walls. Place pallets on the floor so that items can be stored off the ground. Leave enough room to walk through the area and access all storage spaces.

3. Purchase water in bulk. Get both distilled and spring water. Opt for a few cases of individually bottled water which is portable, and purchase the rest in manageable one gallon jugs. Make sure to allow for eight full-size glasses of water per person per day. Stockpile enough water to last a total of three to six months depending on the amount of available space and money available for stockpiling items.

4. Purchase food items which have a long shelf life and are stable. Do not purchase anything which will spoil within six to twelve months, unless you have the funds and time available to reassess and restock all items when they become expired.

5. Make sure your food purchases include staples such as canned and dry beans, condensed soup, rice, oatmeal, peanut butter, nuts, protein or power bars, canned meat, canned seafood, canned chili and an assortment of canned fruits and vegetables. Adding seasonings and spices, such as salt and pepper, can also be useful in eating the stockpiled food. Though not a food item, include multivitamins in the stash to help remain healthy.

6. Purchase supplemental tools required to open cans and eat the food. Add to your stockpile can openers, utensils, cups, bowls, plates, matches, lighters, strainer, knives and cooking pots. Purchase a Sterno fuel powered heater to warm soups and foods on, making sure to have plenty of extra cans of fuel included in the stockpile.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a list of what items you have in your stockpiled area so that you can add to the stash as needed.

• Make sure to review the expiration dates and condition of all food items every six months to ensure nothing has spoiled.

References

• Real Simple magazine: Best Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency
• Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: Food & Water In An Emergency
• Dallas News: Stockpiling Food, Water in Case of Emergency is Smart, Not Paranoid
• PennLive.com: Uncertain Future Has Some Storing Up on Food and Supplies

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish