Keeping a supply of non-perishable foods and supplies can be helpful for many types of situations. With the recent Coronavirus pandemic, many people who’ve never thought about food storage are now looking for ways to keep emergency supplies on hand. You don’t need a large space or a separate food storage room to do this. Anyone can keep a small supply of emergency goods in their home. By maintaining food and other necessities, you can be prepared for any type of emergency.
What foods to keep in your emergency stash
When you’re planning to store supplies for emergencies, it’s important to stock up on foods that will last. There are plenty of foods that have a long shelf life when stored properly. Many of these items require little space for storage but are great for emergency situations where you need hearty and cheap meals. Dry goods like rice, beans, pasta, and oats are affordable and have a long shelf life when stored in airtight containers. It’s also helpful to keep a supply of canned foods like tuna, chicken, soups, vegetables, and fruits. Having all the supplies to make your own bread and other baked goods means you won’t have to go without. Flour, sugar, baking powder, powdered milk, and spices can all be kept for extended periods in airtight containers. If you buy these foods in bulk, you can use stackable commercial-style containers to maximize your space.
Rotate to prevent waste
When you’re storing foods it’s important to have a system in place to help you use foods before they expire. One of the most challenging aspects of storing food is keeping up with expiration dates so you’re able to use your food before it expires. I’ve found that one of the best ways to prevent throwing away foods is to keep a simple list of what you have and when it expires. This will be more challenging with larger food supplies but it can be done. The easiest way to do it is with a handwritten or typed list that you keep in your food storage area. List all the individual items you have along with expiration dates. Sort your food by date so that you’re able to use foods before they expire. A bi-monthly check of your list lets you know if anything needs to be used up and replaced.
Be creative when it comes to storage
Food storage rooms are great but many people simply don’t have the extra space for it. If you get creative with the space you have, you can likely find plenty of areas of your home to keep emergency supplies. Think of areas in your home that are dry, dark, and temperature-controlled. The top shelf of a closet, hard to reach cabinets, or underneath your bed can be used for storage. If you have a pantry, you can reorganize to take advantage of every square inch of the space. Using bins and labels can help you keep your emergency supplies accessible when you need them.
Think long shelf life when building up your emergency food supplies. The goal is to have foods that last as long as possible, even if they aren’t necessarily foods you eat daily. Dry goods and canned foods can be stored for long periods of time and rotated as needed to prevent waste. Having a small home with limited storage doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for emergencies. Get creative with storage so you have enough supplies for all types of emergencies.
