This food page will include a variety of suggested foods for short term food storage, for long term storage of up to 20 years go to the LONG TERM STORAGE tab.

FOOD PANTRY LIST

The human body needs fuel. Otherwise known as calories, namely: fat, protein, and carbohydrates. In the long run, the body also needs certain vitamins and minerals to function properly.

As you are selecting foods for your emergency stockpile, you need to consider the following:

You may not have electrical power, so your refrigerator and freezer may not work.
Most foods aren’t packed for long-term storage, with the exception of canned foods, from 3 to 5 years. (see my LONG TERM STORAGE page for this).
You want foods that will give you the maximum nutrition for the minimum bulk.
Avoid all types of “snack foods” as there is no way to store them for long periods of time.

What to Always Keep in Your Pantry:

These non-perishable food items (or close to it) have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time. Make a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6 to 12 months to keep things fresh. And don’t forget to have a can opener on hand at all times—all that food won’t be of any use if you can’t open it.

Peanut butter
A great source of energy, peanut butter is chock-full of healthful fats and protein. Unless the jar indicates otherwise, you don’t have to refrigerate after opening.

Whole-wheat crackers
Crackers are a good replacement for bread and make a fine substitute when making sandwiches. Due to their higher fat content, whole-wheat or whole-grain crackers have a shorter shelf life than their plain counterparts (check the box for expiration dates), but the extra fiber pays off when you’re particularly hungry. Consider vacuum-packing your crackers to prolong their freshness.

Nuts and trail mixes

Stock up on these high-energy foods—they’re healthful and convenient for snacking during a short term emergency. Look for vacuum-packed containers, which prevent the nuts from oxidizing and losing their freshness.

Cereal
Choose multigrain cereals that are individually packaged so they don’t become stale after opening.

Granola bars and power bars
Healthy and filling, these portable snacks usually stay fresh for at least six months. Plus, they’re an excellent source of carbohydrates.

Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins
In the absence of fresh fruit, these healthy snacks offer potassium and dietary fiber. Dried fruits provide you with a significant amount of nutrients and calories.

Canned vegetables
When the real deal isn’t an option, canned varieties can provide you with essential nutrients, making these a great hurricane food or natural disaster option.

Canned soups
Soups can be eaten straight out of the can and provide

a variety of nutrients. Look for low-sodium options.

Bottled water
Try to stock at least a three-day supply—you need at least one gallon per person per day. A normally active person should drink at least a half gallon of water each day, the other half gallon is for adding to food and washing...

FOR WATER STORAGE – see the WATER STORAGE tab above.

While canned foods do not change suddenly, slow changes do occur in the container and food quality may change over time. As a general rule, the best shelf life will be obtained when canned foods are

kept in a cool, dry place.

How to know if your canned food is spoiled as food poisoning is the last thing you need during a quarantine. Store and cook food at the right temperatures, and keep a close watch for mould or spoilage – even with shelf-stable food. Canned goods can go bad if the can is damaged. If the can is bulging, or hisses when you open it, the contents have been contaminated and you should discard immediately.

And if you’re not sure, don’t risk it: When in doubt, throw it out.

To further prevent spoilage, get in the habit of rotating your food storage. For example, if a can has a shelf-life of five years and you’ve been storing it for four years, take it out and eat it now and then replace it with a fresh can. That way, you’re always keeping your stockpile fresh for when disaster strikes. And make sure you have a can opener.

Understand the difference between ‘use by and best before dates’. Always check these.

Recommended canned foods that store well from https://urbansurvivalsite.com/best-canned-foods/ CANS OF: Apples, baked beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green beans, soup, mixed vegetables, refried beans, peaches, carrots, sweet peas, mixed fruits, honey, powdered milk, lentils, instant coffee, spaghetti, chickpeas, canned meals. There are many more canned foods available so make your own selections.

Storage life of canned foods, in Australia:

The various main food canners, where contacted

to check on the shelf life of their foods, different manufacturers had varying shelf lives.

EDGELL: beans and legumes = 5 years, vegetables = 3 years. Edgell says, What do the codes printed on the can mean? Edgell cans have a date of production stamped on the bottom of the can, indicating the date and time of manufacture. The products ‘packed on’ date is printed on the packaging using the manufacturers can code. The first six digit number for example, 090720 indicates the product was produced on the 20th of July 2009. The first two digits indicate the year (09), the second two digits indicate the month (07) and the last two digits indicate the date (20).

SPC: 4 years for cans, 3 years for acid items such as tomatoes. 3 years for tubs for example fruit in plastic tubs. SPC - Understanding Codes: Code on the bottom of can (diced tomatoes) TOMDCD 428425R – P12DS 2122 14 Look at 1st letter. In this case ‘P’ means it was canned in 2016, i.e ‘P’ is the 16th letter in the alphabet.

HEINZ: 3 years shelf life. Code on the bottom of can (baked beans) HT 29270254 H2.

292 refers to the Julienne system, i.e 292nd day of the year, the number 7 next to it means 2017– so in this case the item was canned on the 18th October 2017

ALWAYS check the use-by date on the cans when you are buying them off the shelf at the store and buy the cans with the longest expiration date (often at the back of the shelf).

Turn a magazine rack into a

can storage unit to save space.

Creating storage for small spaces.

Powdered milk
Almost all dairy products require refrigeration, so stock this substitute for an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D when fresh milk isn’t an option.

Sugar, salt, and pepper
If you have access to a propane or charcoal stove, you may be doing some cooking. A basic supply of seasonings and sweeteners will improve the flavor of your food, both fresh and packaged.

Multivitamins
Supplements will help replace the nutrients you would have consumed on a normal diet.

Dried Foods

This method of food storage has been used throughout human history in many or most cultures. It is effective. It works and most of the nutrients are preserved.