Food is a basic energy source that gives us the nourishment we need to do our daily tasks. And because food is important, it must be readily available anytime, especially during an emergency. There are a lot of emergencies that can cause food shortages. Knowing how to store emergency food at home will make us more prepared for these unforeseen events. Read on to find out how.
Where To Store Emergency Food
Being aware of where you store your food is essential to improve the life span of your goods. There are key factors at play when it comes to making your food last you for months, even years. We will tackle the natural elements to keep in mind when you choose how to store emergency food in your home. Your storage area must have:
- Proper Air Ventilation - There are a lot of instances where food accidents happen in the pantry. Improper handling or tears in the food packages can lead to foul odor because of food spoiling. Proper air ventilation is vital because it helps free the room of the bad smell and decreases the chances of contaminating other food. Adequate air ventilation also means that the food you store will not contaminate other food items. You don’t want your oats to smell or taste like chicken. Make sure you have proper air ventilation when you pick an area for your storage.
- No Direct Sunlight – Sunlight can spoil food in cans and jars faster. Sunlight makes jars and cans heat up to an unwanted temperature, making the contents inside these containers rot. Your storage spot must not have any direct sunlight hitting it. In cases where your room does have a window, you can take note of where the sun comes in and block off that section.
- Controlled Temperature – A controlled temperature is vital for stocking food for an extended period. You don’t want to store food where it is too hot or too cold. There are different varieties of food that require a specific temperature. A controlled room temperature is the solution to stock most goods. It is also advisable to keep the area dry with no moisture. Moisture can cause the growth of molds and makes food rot faster.
Pest Free Environment – Pest and rodents are the biggest threat to your food stockpile. Before choosing an area to stock food, make sure that the area is clear of holes or pathways that rats and rodents can access. These critters pose a massive threat to any food you leave stored and can contaminate a whole stockpile overnight. It is best to take extra precautions by placing traps in corners where you think pests can enter.
Suggestions: Suitable Places To Store Your Food
There are a lot of suitable storage places around the house that you can pick when learning how to store emergency food at home. Some areas where you already store food, like the kitchen and the pantry, is an excellent place to start. Being prepared for months or years at a time will require you to store your food in a bigger space. Here are some spaces in the house that can be suitable for food storage:
- Basement - The basement is the most practical storage space for emergency food supply. It is already well hidden and usually provides you with a lot of free space. You can put up shelves and other storage fixtures without a problem in the basement and with minimal adjustments.
- Closet - if you don’t have a basement and you are limited in space, a closet easily converts to a big pantry for food storage. By adding proper shelves, you can turn your closet into an oversized pantry. With an appropriate system of home storage in place, you can further remodel the cabinet. You can do this by pushing it back and making extra adjustments, so it stores more food to last you for a long time.
- Spare Bedroom - If you are fortunate enough to have one extra unused room, you can convert it to an emergency food storage! Sacrificing an extra room for storage is an excellent idea, especially when it comes to stocking up for your necessities in life. An additional room can provide you ample space to store your emergency food.
- Behind Walls - If you are serious about storing emergency food, it won’t hurt to have some stored in the wall. Some walls are hollow and can be a good space to fill up for storage. You can convert walls into storage units that are hidden from plain sight. Storing your emergency food in walls will make it more difficult for looters to take in times of a catastrophe. Food with a shelf life that lasts for five years or more will work well if stored in closed walls.
What Emergency Food To Store
The right food choices matter when storing food at home. Knowing how to store emergency food and knowing what kinds of food to store are practical knowledge for emergencies. Choose goods which have longer expiration and have a better shelf life. This is key to keeping these goods fresh or edible for long periods. A suggestion of different emergency food you can store are:
- Rice
- Beans
- Oats
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Meat
- Powdered Milk
- Granola Bars
- Dried Meat
- White Flour
- Coffee and Tea
- Salt
- Pasta
- Honey
- Jams and Jellies
Conclusion
Lastly, a rule of thumb I can leave you is to stock what you eat and eat what you stock. It is best to stock food that you would want to eat daily. Having food that does not lean to your pallet will be unpleasant. Other than that, be familiar with the different expiration dates of your stored food. It is important to have them still edible.
Your knowledge on how to store emergency food at home should be an easier task for you to handle after reading this article. Food storage is essential for anyone who would want to be prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies. Having a stockpile ensures the survival of not only yourself but also for those who depend on you as well. Know more about emergency food.