Introduction
When it comes to stocking up on non-perishable food items, there are a lot of things to consider. How much should you buy? What kind of foods will last the longest? And how will you know when it’s time to rotate your stockpile?
With a little planning and forethought, you can easily build up a supply of healthy food that will last you and your family for months, even years. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Decide how long you want your food stockpile to last.
The first step is to decide how long you want your food stockpile to last. This will help you determine how much food you need to buy and what type of food will be best suited for your needs.
- Choose non-perishable foods that have a long shelf life.
When stocking up on food, choose items that have a long shelf life and can be stored without refrigeration or freezing. canned goods, grains, dried fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jerky, and other preserved meats are all good choices.
- Purchase in bulk when possible.
One of the best ways to save money when stockpiling food is to purchase in bulk when possible. Buying in bulk can help you get the items you need at a lower cost per unit. Just be sure to have enough storage space available to accommodate all of your purchases.
- Don’t forget about the water!
In addition to stockpiling food, it’s also important to have a supply of clean drinking water on hand. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for use in case of an emergency.
The Rule of Three
Most people think that stockpiling food is silly and that they could never possibly need that much food. They believe that they can just go to the store when they run out, and that will be that. However, what they don’t realize is that in an SHTF scenario, the stores will be closed, and there will be no food to be had. That’s why it’s important to have a stockpile of food so that you can survive in a worst-case scenario.
Three days’ worth of food
In an emergency situation, you’ll want to have enough food and water to last at least three days. The rule of three is a general guideline that emergency preparedness experts suggest for stocking up on non-perishable food.
There are a few different interpretations of the rule of three, but the general idea is to have three days’ worth of food and water per person in your household. This will give you a stockpile of non-perishable food that you can fall back on in an emergency.
Keep in mind that the rule of three is just a guideline. You may want to adjust it based on your own needs and circumstances. For example, if you have young children or elderly family members, you may want to have more than three days’ worth of food and water on hand.
Three weeks worth of food
The rule of thumb for food stockpiling is to have three weeks’ worth of non-perishable food on hand at all times. This will ensure that you have enough to eat in case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster or prolonged power outage.
It is important to remember that a stockpile is not meant to be a replacement for grocery shopping; rather, it is meant to supplement your regular food supply. Therefore, you should only stockpile items that you know you and your family will eat.
When creating your stockpile, aim for a variety of items that will provide you with the nutrients you need. Make sure to include items from the following food groups:
- Grains: bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc.
- Fruit and vegetables: canned or dried fruits and vegetables, 100% fruit juice, etc.
- Dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- protein: canned meat and seafood, peanut butter, beans, etc.
- fats and oils: cooking oil, margarine, etc.
- water: at least 1 gallon per person per day
Three months’ worth of food
How much food should you really have stockpiled in your pantry at any given time? The rule of three is a good general rule to follow. This means having enough non-perishable food and supplies on hand to last you and your family for three months, if necessary.
This may seem like a lot, but it’s really not if you break it down into manageable steps. If you start stocking up on non-perishable items each week when you do your grocery shopping, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your stockpile will grow. And if an emergency does arise, you’ll be glad you were prepared.
Some people like to have even more than three months’ worth of food on hand, just to be safe. But if you find that your stockpile is taking up too much space or causing anxiety, it’s OK to scale back. The most important thing is to have enough food to get you through a tough spot – whatever that looks like for you and your family.
Food Storage Options
If you’re going to stockpile food, you need to have a plan. That plan includes knowing how much food to stockpile per person. To help you figure that out, we’ve created this handy guide. Keep reading to find out how much food you should stockpile per person.
Canned goods
Canned goods are a great way to have long-lasting Shelf-Stable Food. Canned Foods have a longer shelf life than most other foods, usually lasting between 2-5 years, with some exceptions. Most canned goods will last for years if stored in a cool, dark place. Check the expiration dates on your cans and rotate them so you are using the oldest foods first. Canned goods are a great way to have long-lasting Shelf-Stable Food. Canned Foods have a longer shelf life than most other foods, usually lasting between 2-5 years, with some exceptions. Most canned goods will last for years if stored in a cool, dark place. Check the expiration dates on your cans and rotate them so you are using the oldest foods first
Dry goods
Dry goods are non-perishable items that can be stored for prolonged periods of time without fear of spoilage. These items are typically shelf-stable, meaning they do not require refrigeration or freezing to maintain their quality. Items like flour, sugar, pasta, rice, cereal, and crackers are all considered dry goods.
Because dry goods have a long shelf life, they are ideal for stockpiling. It is recommended that you have at least a 3-month supply of dry goods on hand at all times. This will ensure that you have enough food to last in case of an emergency or extended power outage.
To maximize the shelf life of your dry goods, store them in a cool, dark place in airtight containers. Be sure to check the expiration dates on your products and rotate them regularly so that you are always using the oldest products first.
Frozen goods
Freezing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to preserve food for later use. When done correctly, freezing can help food retain its original flavor, texture, and nutrition for months or even years.
There are two main types of frozen food storage: long-term and short-term. Long-term frozen food storage is for items that will be stored for more than six months, while short-term is for food that will be used within that time frame.
There are a few things to keep in mind when storing frozen goods:
-Items should be tightly sealed in airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
-Label all packages with the contents and the date so you can easily keep track of what needs to be used first.
-Don’t overload your freezer; this can lead to decreased efficiency and increased energy usage.
-For long-term storage, consider using a deep freeze, which can keep food frozen for extended periods of time without power.
Conclusion
While it is possible to stockpile enough food to last several years, most people do not have the space to do so. A more realistic goal would be to have enough food for a month or two. This way, you will have enough time to find additional supplies if needed.
The amount of food you will need will depend on the number of people in your household and your personal preferences. A good rule of thumb is to stockpile enough food for each person to have 2,000 calories per day. This will ensure that everyone has enough to eat, even if there are unexpected shortages.
If you are able to stockpile more than this, great! Just be sure not to go overboard and end up with more food than you can realistically use.