Like air, shelter and water, you need food to keep the mission going. Unlike air and shelter, emergency food supplies have special notes for storage in order to ensure they remain viable over the long run. Here are some takeaways for just how you should store your food supplies.
Storing Your Emergency Food Supplies
This article will break out how to store your emergency food supplies with respect to what it is you’re trying to preserve.
- Dry goods
Dry goods are easy to store with respect to the fact that they don’t need to be refrigerated, but of the goods here they are among the most difficult to protect from spoilage. It is best to store your dry goods, such as cereal and grains, in an airtight, waterproof container. Air can make them go rancid, and any exposure to water absolutely must be avoided as it will cause mold growth, rot, and spoilage. Durable, locking containers or jars are also beneficial as they can help prevent vermin from gaining access. As a general rule, dry goods should also be stored somewhere dark, dry, and cool.
- MREs
When packed in foil, paper, or plastic, MREs are inherently protected against air, light, and moisture, so they can be stored basically anywhere. What they are not protected against, however, are critters like mice and insects. As a result, it’s best to store them somewhere elevated and dry, preferably in a sealed container that will help keep pests out .
- Seeds
Seeds should be stored in a container that is both waterproof and airtight, as this will also help protect them from vermin. The watertight component is critical as exposure to moisture can cause the seeds to germinate, which will ruin them. Therefore, the most critical aspect of seed storage is that they are stored somewhere very dry. Cold storage can also be good as temperature is one of the things that trigger germination.
- Canned goods
Canned goods can be stored basically anywhere with a few important notes. One is that cans should be protected against moisture because it can cause the cans to rust, which will compromise the seal. The other thing is that cans should be protected from freezing temperatures which can also cause the cans to burst, damaging the seal and causing spoilage.
- Fresh foods and meats
Fresh foods and meats are the most challenging to store and do not make viable emergency food supplies simply because they do not last. However, one of the best ways to make fresh foods last is to freeze them, if you have the option. You can also can them and store the cans as described above.
Where Not to Store Your Emergency Supplies?
The high-level notes on how not to store your emergency food supplies are as follows:
- Avoid areas exposed to extreme temperatures (unless you are intentionally freezing the foods).
- Avoid areas that are exposed to moisture or high humidity.
- Avoid brightly lit areas; store foods in the dark, avoiding direct sunlight wherever possible.
- If possible, protect foods against unnecessary air exposure, as the oxygen in air will cause oils to go rancid.
Beyond these pointers, you will have to take it on a case-by-case basis as to where you want to store your food supplies.
Where to Stock Up on Emergency Food Supplies?
If you need to add to your emergency food supplies and aren’t sure where to start, check out what’s in store at CH KADELS. In addition to a wide variety of MREs, they also sell heirloom seeds and a ton of other disaster preparedness essentials. Visit their website and get in touch with them if you have any other questions.
