Safely storing food is very important. Whether you are stockpiling food for a big event, or putting together a long-term food supply, properly storing your food is essential. We have compiled a list of general guidelines to follow that will ensure the safety of any food you plan on storing for an extended period of time.
1. Find the Right Food Storage Location
Many people choose their pantries as locations to store food, others go with their basements. When deciding where to store your food, here are some helpful tips:
– The location should be dry, cool and away from sunlight. Bacteria grow easily in moist or warm areas. Bacteria growth will decrease your food supply shelf-life very quickly.
– Make sure the area is large enough for you to store all of the food you plan on storing. The smaller the space, the less food you can store.
– Make sure that the area will be accessible if an emergency arises. If you need to lock the area, a combination lock would be best. You may not be able to get to the key in an emergency.
2. Store Long Shelf-Life Food
When you are making your food selection, make sure to store a variety of non-perishable food. They have a much longer shelf-life than perishables. Some of these include:
– Freeze-Dried Food — Through the freeze-dry process moisture and oxygen are removed from the food. Then, it is sealed in durable packaging to make sure that bacteria cannot grow. This method makes it possible to store items that are generally perishable like meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables without refrigerating. Freeze-dried foods can be stored at room temperature for up to 25-years.
– Dehydrated Food — The process of food dehydration takes most of the moisture out of food. The food is then sealed in durable packaging. The shelf-life of dehydrated food varies greatly depending on the ingredients used. It generally ranges from 5 to 15 years
-Canned Food — One nice thing about canned food is that you can eat it right from the can, with no water or heating necessary in emergency situations. However, they take up larger amounts of space to store, and generally only last 3 to 5 years.
3. Inspect Before Purchasing
Before you buy food for storing, make sure the packaging is not damaged. If you order it from a catalog or online, be sure to inspect it as soon as it arrives. If your food is packaged in heavy-duty mylar pouches, check for puncture marks and powder residue. If your food is packaged in cans, check for large dents. If you are concerned that a dent has penetrated the can, you can hold it under water. If you see oxygen bubbles coming from the can, it has a hole in it. If not, make sure to dry the can off completely and then store it properly.
4. Rotate Your Food
If you are storing canned goods or dehydrated food, go ahead and eat some of the older food occasionally. Make sure to replace the items you have eaten with new items. This helps to ensure that your food will not be expired when you need it most.
5. Remember Utensils
To make your life much easier during an emergency, remember to store utensils with your food storage. Forks, spoons, knives, and a spatula will make eating your food easier and more enjoyable. Also, don’t forget to store a couple of hand-held can openers. The last thing you need to stress about in an emergency situation is how to get your canned goods open so you and your family can eat.
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I have made an Excel spreadsheet with all my food storage items along with the item name, quantity, location (box, shelf, etc.), shelf life expiration, number of servings per item and calories per serving. This allows me to sort the list by shelf life expiration date. I set a reminder every month on my smart phone to check the list. Any items that are close to shelf life end is either eaten or donated to a local shelter. I also can use the spreadsheet to provide a good estimate of amount of food I have and how long it will last my family by servings based calories per day that I can set based on requirements based on survival conditions at that time. The spreadsheet makes it easy to establish base formulas that automatically calculate storage usage duration at various calorie consumptions, i.e. 1200, 1600, 2000 calories per day. Every month or when food is added or changed, I print the spreadsheet and place it in a folder with the food storage just in case I no longer have computer access.
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James,
This is a fantastic idea, thanks for sharing!
-Food Insurance
We have been carrying our emergency backpack with us in the car. It remains in the car, and we are concerned that with the warm weather it may be cutting the shelf life. We have an suv with tinted windows and live in San Diego. Love the packs and gave them to all our kids at Christmas ! We keep one by the front door and one in the car. Is the one in the car ok ?
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Julie,
To receive maximum shelf-life, the food should consistently be stored at or below 72 degrees.
Storing the kit in the car is certainly a great idea in case of any emergency, but, depending on the average temperature inside your car, could potentially reduce the shelf-life of your food.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at contact@foodinsurance.com, or 1-866-946-8366.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance
the best i can do for storage of your product is in an indoor closet that I keep at 80F – 76F in summer and 55F – 68F in winter (Florida). Am I reducing the 25year shelf life?
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Michael,
To receive maximum shelf-life, the food should consistently be stored at or below 72 degrees. From your description, it looks like your summer temperature are a little bit high, and could potentially reduce the shelf-life of the food. The closer you can keep the temperature to 72 degrees, the better. Your winter temperature are ideal for long-term food storage.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at contact@foodinsurance.com, or 1-866-946-8366.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance
A pair of scissors is a good idea for sealed packaged food, especially for those of us who have arthritis and cannot use our hands as well as we used to.
What do I need to know about storing your freeze dried products? I think I read this type of food can be stored for 25 years is that correct?
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Mike,
When stored properly in a cool, dry place. Freeze-dried will absolutely last for 25-years. All of the food in our long-term meal plans has a 25-year shelf-life.
http://www.foodinsurance.com/long-term-meals
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at contact@foodinsurance.com, or 1-866-946-8366.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance
Once a can is opened, what is the storage life. I’ve seen on other brands that they should be used within a week. For an individual, that is a whole lot of eating one item. Is yours about the same?
After a can is opened, how long will unused food last?
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Dave,
That is a great question. The shelf-life of our products once opened ranges from 1-6 weeks. Things like moisture and heat will reduce the shelf-life, where cool temperatures (refrigeration) will extend the shelf-life.
By planning out your meals in advance, you can avoid any waste.
For a more detailed explanation you can contact our Support Department at contact@foodinsurance.com, or call us at 1-866-946-8366.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance
I have been storing food and essentials now for over 5 years. I feel it is important to remember those in your family that may not be able to afford to stock up, grown children, elderly parents etc. Remember pain meds, cold pills, and medical supplies. I have even purchased staple clothing items for all that include socks, underwear, jeans. Your website is informative and I will use your food items to add to my supply.
what effect does below freezing temperatures have on the shelf life of the food
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Keith,
Since the freeze-dry process removes the moisture from the food, it will maintain its self-life even if kept below freezing temperatures.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance
I would like to know if it would ok to store the seeds in the freezer?
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Harold,
Storing the seeds in the freezer should be fine, and if anything, will extend the shelf-life.
Make sure to do your research online before storing the seeds in the freezer since improper storage can damage the seeds.
Thanks,
-Food Insurance.
As you are planning your food storage, it is so important to be aware of GMOs, and to avoid them.
Food storage is both a traditional domestic skill and is important industrially. Food is stored by almost every human society and by many animals.
In reference to Nov. 1, 2012 note — What does GMO mean?
Peggy,
GMO refers to “genetically modified organisms”. GMO is used to describe living organisms, plant or animal, that were genetically modified to increase or enhance production, flavor, color, size, growth-rate, etc.
-Food Insurance
Hello there, thanks for your thoughts and opinions, I enjoy your page, I will come back for future articles and also releases,