Having enough food is probably one of the top priorities for most people when it comes to preparing for an emergency. Thankfully, buying food in large quantities can be done with some great discounts online and/or through wholesalers or warehouse stores.
There are several reasons why having plenty of food is important. One is so you have enough to eat if your income stops coming in, which happens more than you might think due to things like job loss or spending limits during an illness.
Another reason is that once you run out of something, your body will begin to suffer until it gets what it needs. A lot of times, health professionals tell patients they’ll get better help by eating well while also paying attention to their nutrition levels, so knowing how to live without certain foods is very helpful.
And finally, even though many people feel that there’s never really “enough” food, I would argue that there’s always too much-moneyed interest in our food supply.
Too often, huge corporations invest in equipment and technology to produce a batch size of processed junk food that cost a few dollars per unit. Then they reap the benefits from being able to sell these foods at a premium price, keeping them rich while the rest of us struggle to put food on the table.
Prepping Your Pantry
We all know the importance of having a well-stocked pantry, but when it comes to actually prepping it, many of us are left scratching our heads. Where do you start? How do you make sure your pantry is fully stocked with the essentials? It’s easier than you think! Here are a few simple steps to get your pantry in order.
Step 1: Take Inventory
The first step to prepping your pantry is taking inventory. Start by going through your shelves and seeing what you already have. This will help you determine what you need to buy and what you can do without. It’s also a great way to save money as you can stock up on items you already have on hand.
Step 2: Create a Shopping List
Once you have a better idea of what you need, create a shopping list. This will help you stay organized and save money by avoiding impulse buys. As you make your list, think about the items that you use on a regular basis and what items you may need for upcoming meals.
Step 3: Stock Up
Once you have your list, it’s time to stock up! Look for items that are on sale or that offer a bulk discount. If you’re buying in bulk, be sure to store the extra items appropriately to maximize their shelf life. Consider investing in air-tight containers or vacuum-sealing bags to keep your food fresh for longer.
Step 4: Organize Your Pantry
Now that your pantry is fully stocked, it’s time to get organized. Separate items that you use on a regular basis from those that you use occasionally so that you can easily access the items you need. Additionally, consider investing in stackable shelves or bins to help maximize space.
Prepping your pantry doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these simple steps, you can easily get your pantry organized and stocked with the essentials so that it’s ready for anything.
What Items Should You Stock In Your Prepper Pantry?
The top five must-have items are:
If you’re looking to be prepared for any potential emergency or disaster, having a prepper pantry is essential. A prepper pantry is a well-stocked area in your home with essential items that can help you survive short-term emergencies and long-term disasters. Having a prepper pantry can help you stay safe and stay fed in the event of an emergency or disaster.
The top five must-have items are:
- Grains are a great way to ensure you have a reliable source of food in the event of an emergency. Grains like oats, rice, flour, and pasta are great items to stock in your prepper pantry. These items can last for a long time, are easy to cook, and provide a good source of nutrition.
- Beans are another great food item to stock in your prepper pantry. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and other important nutrients. They can also be used to create a variety of different dishes, so having a variety of beans in your prepper pantry can help keep things interesting.
- Oil is another essential item to stock in your prepper pantry. Oils like canola, coconut, and lard can be used for cooking, frying, and baking, and have a long shelf life.
- Canned and dried products are essential items for your prepper pantry. Canned and dried fruits and vegetables can provide you with vital nutrients, and can last for a long time. Keeping a variety of canned and dried produce in your prepper pantry can ensure that you have a reliable source of nutrition in the event of an emergency.
- Water is one of the most important items to have on hand in the event of an emergency. It is recommended to store at least one gallon of water per person in your household, as well as additional gallons to be used for cooking and cleaning. Having a large enough stockpile of water on hand is essential for surviving any emergency.
Having these items in your prepper pantry can help you to stay safe and stay fed in the event of an emergency. Make sure to check your pantry regularly and replenish any items that are running low. This way, you can be sure you are always prepared for any potential emergency or disaster.
What are basic prepper supplies?
Prepping is a vital part of any emergency preparedness plan. Being able to quickly and calmly respond to any kind of emergency situation is essential to staying safe and taking care of your family. Prepping supplies are the items that you need to have on hand to be able to do just that.
Basic prepper supplies include food and water, medical supplies, tools and equipment, and clothing.
Food and Water: Food and water are essential for survival during an emergency. Make sure you have plenty of non-perishable food and water stored in a safe and easily accessible place. Canned goods, energy bars, and powdered milk are some of the items you should include in your prepper kit. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day in containers that can be sealed tightly and not easily damaged.
Medical Supplies: A first aid kit is a must for any prepper. This should include all the basics, such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes and creams, and pain relievers. It’s also a good idea to include a supply of prescription medications and a space blanket in case of extreme weather conditions.
Tools and Equipment: Having the right tools and equipment on hand is essential for any prepper. A multi-purpose tool, such as a Swiss army knife, is a great tool to have. You should also have a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, and a fire extinguisher.
Clothing: You also need to make sure you have the right clothing for any situation. If you’re planning on staying in one place, you should have enough clothing to keep you warm and dry. If you’re planning on traveling, you may need to have several changes of clothing, including rain gear and a hat.
These are just some of the basic prepper supplies that you should have on hand. Having a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan and the right prepper supplies will help ensure that you and your family are prepared for any situation.
Water
Having enough water is one of the most important things you can prepare for in any situation. Even if there are supply stores or restaurants, it is still worth stockpiling some bottles at home!
Most people assume that they have an adequate supply of water when they go through the initial stages of a crisis, but soon things get scarce fast.
Many governments begin making recommendations to limit how much water people should be drinking per day to prevent dehydration. Some make the recommendation that people don’t drink their recommended amount even though some natural resources are starting to run out.
Other reasons include health issues like diarrhea which could spread infectious diseases or just because people simply choose not to drink due to taste.
It is very expensive to buy bottled water so adding this to your budget will take time to gather momentum until it is too late. There are many cheap ways to source a steady supply of purified water so feel free to give those a try first before investing in a larger size bottle.
Another way to ensure you never run out of water is by learning about hydration routines and keeping track of your daily intake.
Batteries
When it comes down to it, you will not be able to survive a power outage unless you have at least 1,000 rounds of ammunition for each caliber. This is because most guns use small cartridges that require reloading once they run out.
Most people never really emphasize how important good batteries are in everyday life, but when it matters most we can’t seem to find enough of them!
Batteries come in many different types and sizes. Some only last a few minutes while others hold a lot longer than that! It all depends on what you want to do with it and how much energy you need for whatever you put it towards.
We would be very surprised if someone didn’t ask about our triple A size (a+), lithium-ion battery pack during a trip somewhere. Thankfully, we were already stocked up on them so we were able to help him out!
Good quality batteries should be identified by their brand name and color scheme.
Medical Supplies
A major component of any survival stockpile is medical supplies. These are not only for immediate use but long term as well!
Most importantly, you should never run out of bandages or pain relievers even if they’re mostly stocked in your home already. Even though most people feel that they have enough medicine at their house, it is very important to have a constant supply.
This is especially true during an emergency when access to pharmacies and stores will be limited. Many times, injured individuals can become sick due to exposure to contaminants or poor-quality medicine, so staying healthy is more important than having a few pills left.
Medical supplies also include all types of tubing, syringes, and other equipment needed to take care of patients. For example, many health professionals carry a laryngoscope to help with breathing issues, there are some great ones you can pick up secondhand or online.
Hygiene Items
The next thing that most people forget about is hygiene items. We seem to have an obsession with buying large amounts of food, but we don’t always think about how important it is to make sure our skin is healthy and our mouths are clean.
Many survivors report going through a stage where they didn’t feel like eating or bathing because they were in such strong emotional states. But eventually, you realize you need to restore yourself physically so you can begin the process of recovery.
Having enough towels and washcloths for both personal use and washing leftover foods and dishes is very helpful. As well as using regular soap, there are now lots of liquid hand sanitizers that you can pour into your hands and spread around to help prevent infection.
Making sure your home storage has adequate numbers of plastic bags is also crucial as these go hard when dried out and may be needed to preserve leftovers.
Fire Extinguishers
Having a working fire extinguisher is one of the most important things you can have as an emergency preparedness item. A lot of people forget about this crucial piece of equipment!
Most major supermarkets will discount or even give away free fire extinguishers for your use. Make sure to check out different models before buying one. You want something that works, is easily accessible and does not need too much liquid to function.
We recommend getting a basic red plastic hand-held foam bottle-type extinguisher. They are very common and work well. Make sure it has safety locks so that you cannot accidentally use all the fluid.
These types of extinguishers usually cost around $15–$25 at retail stores. However, many companies offer discounts online so it is worth looking into.
Solar Panels
For many, having enough electricity to survive is the key component to ensuring their survival in a crisis. Thankfully, solar panels are a reasonably priced way to get this needed power.
Most people begin investing in solar before it’s officially considered a necessity because of how inexpensive they become. Once you take into account all of the costs associated with living without energy (electricity or otherwise), paying slightly more for solar becomes a smart investment.
The average person can easily save several hundred dollars a year by going green with renewable energy. These savings add up quickly as time goes on!
There are a few different types of solar panel technology that various companies use to produce the same result. Make sure to check out our article here if you want some helpful tips on what type of solar panel system is right for your situation.
LED Lights
While some might think that buying lots of candles is the best way to prepare for an emergency, many experts suggest instead investing in low-cost light-emitting diode (LED) lights.
These light sources are much more efficient than a traditional candle or fluorescent bulbs, and they never run out!
Many people use them for decoration, but you can also make various products from them such as cell phone covers, computer cord wraps, and even power strip covers. These all help protect your gadgets from exposure to electricity while still looking stylish!
Your average grocery store will probably have at least one pack of 16 LED floodlights which should be enough to start experimenting with. They usually cost around $10 a piece, making it a very affordable starting point for early preparedness.
I recommend having several pieces in each of these categories so that you have constant coverage when needed.
Heaters
One of the most important things that every prepper should have is heat sources or ways to keep themselves warm. This could be through regular use of clothing, food, beverages, or even heating devices such as stoves and hot water bottles.
Most people begin to feel cold around one year after they stop living in nature so it’s very important to establish your baselines early on. Being able to identify what works for you and how to increase them can only help your overall preparation.
Many people start to worry about survival situation availability of fuel soon after a crisis happens so making sure you are prepared with enough fuel for both short and long-term needs is extremely important.
Heating our bodies down helps regulate body temperature and makes us feel warmer thus helping prevent hypothermia which would clearly not work in a survival situation!
There are many different types of heat source materials such as dried fruits, ghee (butter) cards, flannel cloths, wool blankets, etc. That is why having a large supply of these foods and blankets is essential. Having several varieties will give you some variety in cooling agents.
Having a way to create heat also plays an integral part in self-survival. A heavy blanket or t-shirt can easily be laid on top of a fire to get it going again. Make sure to always test out burnable items before using them in a potentially deadly scenario.
Emergency food to stockpile
When it comes to stocking up on emergency food, it’s important to choose wisely. There are a variety of different items you can stockpile for an emergency, but some items are better than others. Here’s a guide to the best emergency food to stockpile for any situation:
- Legumes: Legumes are a great source of protein and can be used in a variety of dishes. Lentils, beans, and peas are all great options for stocking up on during an emergency.
- Grains: Whole grains are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Grains can be cooked in a variety of ways and are an excellent source of energy during an emergency.
- Popcorn: Popcorn is a great snack food to have on hand during an emergency. It’s easy to make, filling, and relatively healthy. It’s also a great comfort food when times are tough.
- Leavening Agents: Leavening agents, such as baking powder and baking soda, are essential for baking during an emergency. These agents help to make doughs and batters rise and are essential for baking bread and other baked goods.
- Cooking Oil: Cooking oil is a great way to add flavor to food, but it can also be used to cook a variety of meals during an emergency.
- Milk: Milk is a great way to get protein and calcium during an emergency. It can also be used to make a variety of dishes, such as macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes.
- Canned Goods: Canned goods are a great way to stock up on food during an emergency. Canned fruits, vegetables, meats, and soups are all great options for stocking up on.
- Nuts and Nut Butter: Nuts and nut butter are a great source of protein and healthy fats during an emergency. Nuts can be eaten as a snack, while nut butters can be used to make a variety of dishes.
- Packaged Snacks: Packaged snacks, such as chips, crackers, and cookies, are a great way to have something to snack on during an emergency.
- Sweeteners: Sweeteners, such as sugar, honey, and syrup, are essential for baking during an emergency. They can also be used to make sweet treats such as cookies and muffins.
- Seasonings: Seasonings, such as herbs, spices, and condiments, are essential for flavoring food during an emergency.
- Salt: Salt is an important ingredient for seasoning food during an emergency.
- Flavored Drinks: Flavored drinks, such as juices, teas, and sodas, are great for getting a boost of energy during an emergency.
- Coffee, Tea, and Hot Cocoa: Coffee, tea, and hot cocoa are great for providing warmth and comfort during an emergency.
- Candy and Gum: Candy and gum are great for satisfying your sweet tooth during an emergency.
- Booze: Booze is a great way to relax during an emergency. It can also be used to make a variety of cocktails and drinks during an emergency.
Stocking up on emergency food is an important part of being prepared for any situation. Legumes, grains, popcorn, leavening agents, cooking oil, milk, canned goods, nuts, nut butter, packaged snacks, sweeteners, seasonings, salt, flavored drinks, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, candy and gum, and booze are all great items to have on hand during an emergency. Be sure to stock up on these items to ensure you have the necessary food to survive any emergency.