How Long Does Emergency Food Last?
At any given moment, a disaster can occur when you least anticipate it. But there’s no need to fret because preparations can be made on any day, even today. Assembling an emergency food supply is not an onerous undertaking. When planning your emergency food supply, bear in mind the sustainability and proficiency of your pantry for yourself and your loved ones. This entails determining the duration of time that emergency food can remain consumable.
The focus of this article is to explore the duration that various types of emergency food, including freeze-dried and dehydrated food, as well as long-term food storage, remain edible. Additionally, we touch on ways to sustain the efficacy of your emergency food stock. Keep reading for further insight.
What is Shelf life?
The concept of shelf life is two-fold. Firstly, it refers to the duration during which food retains its original taste and nutritional value, also known as the best before date. Secondly, it pertains to the duration during which food remains in an edible state and can sustain life, known as the life-sustaining shelf life. Overall, shelf life denotes the period of time during which food is safe for consumption while keeping its flavor, vitamins, and nutritional content intact.
It is crucial to verify the anticipated shelf life of your food, particularly with regards to readiness for emergencies and survival. This allows you to evaluate the reliability of your prepper pantry, particularly during emergencies. You can verify the shelf life of your survival food provisions through the packaging. The “best by” and “expiration” dates signify the duration for which these food supplies can be stored.
It is possible to consume certain food items well after their expiration date if they have been stored correctly in ideal conditions, such as a cool, dry, and dark place, and in suitable containers designed for safe food storage. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining food freshness.
Freeze-dried Foods
The process of freeze-drying involves extracting moisture from food, which is commonly used to preserve it and extend its shelf life. This technique utilizes a machine that operates with a partial vacuum, allowing the removal of water content from food without passing through a liquid phase. As moisture can quickly spoil food, freeze-dried foods have become increasingly favored within the prepping community.
When stored correctly, freeze-dried products can remain consumable for a period of 25 to 30 years, surpassing other preserved foods with regards to flavor and nutrient preservation. This extended shelf life makes freeze-dried food essential in emergencies and natural disasters due to its flexibility. The easy preparation process involving hot water allows the dried meals to regain their original form, providing sustained sustenance. Freeze-dried foods such as soups, stews, eggs, rice, sausages, fruit, and vegetables are regularly available.
Dehydrated food
To reduce excess moisture in food, heat is also employed in this preservation technique. Techniques like air drying, solar drying, oven drying, and electric dehydrators are popular methods for food dehydration. Dehydration is a time-consuming process that takes a few days to fully deplete food supplies of moisture.
Dehydrated products have a shelf life of generally 15 to 20 years if appropriately stored in a dim spot, which is a few years shorter than freeze-dried food. Dehydrated products are simpler to store in bulk, but their nutrients are more susceptible to deterioration than freeze-dried food. Furthermore, this approach reduces the multiplication of food contaminants such as bacteria and fungi. It is also beneficial for preserving seasonal food, such as fruits, vegetables, and dry beans, which have limited availability throughout the year.
While dehydrated food can have a change in both its texture and taste, it can also become more concentrated and sweet, particularly in the case of fruits. Nonetheless, it is important to note that dehydration can also produce unpleasant flavors. This technique is highly advisable as it is both convenient and readily available, and can be easily stockpiled for unforeseen emergency scenarios.
Long-term Food Storage
Because of its extended shelf life, long-term food storage has become a well-liked choice for emergency food supplies. The majority of preppers prefer this type of stored food because of its prolonged shelf life spanning as much as 30 years, and easy accessibility. Among the favored brands in the prepping community are ReadyWise, My Patriot Supply, Mountain House, and Valley Food storage, which offer superior quality long-term food storage capable of providing sustenance for families over several weeks or even up to a year during times of need.
Emergency food supply kits contain dried meals that are enclosed in a mylar bag equipped with an oxygen absorber packet, which guarantees the quality and durability of the food. Mylar bags are often utilized in long-term food storage due to their efficiency in safeguarding the food from gasses and preventing bacteria and germs from thriving in preserved food. Powdered milk, brown rice, and potato soup are the typical dry foods stored in these emergency supplies.
Preppers commonly acquire long-term storage food due to its convenience in cooking and consumption, as well as its cost-effectiveness. Additionally, these food items are often stored in hermetically sealed containers, facilitating their transport during emergency situations and guaranteeing adequate supply of nourishment for the entire family.
How can you keep your Emergency Food Storage Efficient?
To maintain an efficient emergency food supply, it is important to determine the appropriate types and quantities of food and their storage lifespan. Begin by thoroughly planning and researching emergency preparedness, specifically as it pertains to food storage.
Additionally, it is also advisable to explore alternative techniques for establishing a prepper pantry and taking necessary measures to be ready for various scenarios like a food riot, scarcity of food, or any unforeseen emergency or natural calamity. Always keep in mind that initiating preparations for your and your loved ones’ security is always a good idea, regardless of when you start.
How Much Food storage is needed Per Person? Per Year and Per Month
| Food Storage | Food Per Person Per Month | Food Per Person Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Grains (Wheat, Rice, Flour, etc.) | 32.5 lbs | 390 lbs |
| Canned or Dried Meats (Freeze Dried, Beef, Jerky, Spam, fish, chicken, etc.) | 1.6 lbs | 20 lbs |
| Fats and Oils (Vegetable Oil, Peanut Butter, Shortening, etc.) | 2 lbs | 25 lbs |
| Beans (Dried Beans, Soy Beans, Split Peas, Dry Soup Mix, etc.) | 5.8 lbs | 70 lbs |
| Milk and Dairy (Powdered Milk, extra dairy) add about 2 cans of Evaporated Milk per month to the est. lbs | 7.25 lbs | 87 lbs |
| Sugars (Sugar, Brown Sugar, Honey, Powdered Drink Mixes, etc.) | 5 lbs | 60 lbs |
| Cooking Essentials (Salt, Baking Powder, Yeast, Vinegar, Jams, etc.) | .7 lbs | 8 lbs |
| Fruits & Vegetables (Dried) | 8 lbs | 90 lbs |
| Fruits & Vegetables (Canned) | 27 qts | 320 qts |
| Water Storage (Drinking Water Only) | 16 Gallons | 183 Gallons |
The following is a suggested minimum monthly food supply for one individual, with the figures rounded to the nearest tenth for ease. To tailor your storage to your unique requirements, please use our Food Storage Calculator located above.
Putting the Food Storage Calculator to Use
Track Your Meals Method to Enhance Our Food Storage Calculator
We highly recommend incorporating the track your meals approach into our food storage calculator. This feature enables you and your loved ones to monitor your food consumption, categorize it by ingredients, and monitor it for a desired number of months. The beauty of utilizing this technique is that it can be tailored to meet your individual requirements.
This is the process: presented in a step by step manner to simplify it.
- Take your family’s favorite meal.
- Write out the recipe and times it by 12 (this will give you a year’s worth of that meal if you plan on eating it once a month.)
- Buy enough of the items to stock your pantry for a year of that meal.
- Do it again for the next meal.
Storing and Rotating Your Food Storage (FIFO)
Ensuring that you prioritize the use of older food items in your storage is crucial to prevent spoilage. The first in, first out (FIFO) technique is especially beneficial for canned goods.
Canned Foods
Organizing and rotating canned foods can be a difficult task. The FIFO (first in first out) method can be confusing when it comes to canned goods. Therefore, to simplify the process, we recommend using a good canned food organizer and rotator, which we have found to be extremely beneficial. After some research, we discovered the DecoBros Stackable Can Rack Organizer (Click here to check the current price on Amazon), which is reasonably priced and works well for rotation, making FIFO a breeze. Each rack, which comes with adjustable plastic dividers to accommodate different can sizes, can store up to 36 cans depending on their size. By utilizing this canned food organizer, you can employ the aforementioned food storage calculator and establish an efficient, rotating food storage system while making organization seem effortless.
An Alternative to Powdered Milk for Short Term Storage
If you’re looking for a shorter-term food storage option, Gossners U.H.T. Milk is worth considering instead of powdered milk. This milk is fantastic as it has a “best by date” of 6 to 9 months and tastes just like regular pasteurized milk. You can discover more about the benefits of Gossner Milk in our article on 3 Month Food Supply.
Emergency Food Storage
Aside from long-term food storage, it is important to have a designated Emergency 72-hour Food Kit that can be prepared with just water. This can either be purchased in prepackaged servings or in bulk and is ideal for a variety of emergency situations such as storms, power outages, and natural disasters among others. This emergency food supply can be life-saving during times when stores are inaccessible. To ensure preparedness, it is recommended to keep one of these emergency buckets at home or to store it in an RV or bug-out vehicle for on the road meals. For a worry-free option, consider Augason Farm’s 72 Hour Emergency Kit for a high-quality freeze-dried meal solution. We personally enjoy Augason Farm’s food and highly recommend this 72-hour emergency food kit as well (Check the price on Amazon).
Long term Food Storage Tips
- Food and water should be rotated every 6-12 months and use-by dates should be followed to ensure that they are safe to consume.
- Store canned goods in a dry, cool place, about 40-60°F to prevent spoiling ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ).
- Keep food protected from insects and rodents by storing in airtight containers ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ).
- Do not consume canned goods that have become swollen, dented, or corroded ( American Red Cross ).
- In case of a power outage, eat foods in the refrigerator first, then from the freezer, then from storage. In a well-insulated freezer, foods are usually good for 2 days if there are still ice crystals in the center of the food. Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible ( FEMA ).
- Consider investing in a generator that can power your freezer and refrigerator to keep those foods from going bad.
- Make sure the fridge stays under 40° F. If the fridge is unopened, food will stay cool for about 4 hours (Seltzer).
- Food storage how-to guides ( National Center for Home Food Preservation ).
- Longer-Term Food Storage Tips form The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Food Storage Containers
Numerous excellent choices are available for both long-term and short-term food storage receptacles. It is recommended to not become preoccupied with the selection of containers, but rather to purchase some promptly in order to establish an emergency food reserve that your family may urgently require. View this inventory of long-term food storage containers on Amazon; it presents numerous first-rate alternatives suitable for long-term food storage.
