Quick And Easy Way To Fill Your Pantry For Survival

This is my quick and easy way to fill your pantry for survival topic. I often get asked this question: “Food Storage-Where Do I Start?” So I had a printable made to help get you started. First, think of what you eat every day. Your food storage should be filled with food you are used to eating, cooking and baking with every day. Please think in your mind what you eat almost every day. This is an updated post to help you get started, or add to your food storage stash. Do not think that the government will be there to help you after a disaster, whether large or small, within 24 hours, 2 weeks or possibly 3 months or more? You must take care of yourself and your family. Please keep in mind we have short-term food storage (one year), long-term food storage (10-25 years) that we need to store. Of course, water is number one for survival.

My husband loves to eat cereal and bananas with milk while reading the newspaper each morning to start his day. So, of course, we buy the cheapest, biggest bags of cold cereal a shopping basket will hold. I am not kidding. Remember, I do not like to grocery shop. Next, for my breakfast, I like oatmeal, a little honey, no milk, raisins, and pecans or almonds. I do make smoothies with fruit and veggies from time to time as well. I don’t want oatmeal every day. I also like my whole wheat bread toasted. I am just giving you a few ideas to think about for breakfast. Mickey Mouse waffles are a must for my grandkids.

Pantry For Survival

Food Storage List-Where Do I Start:

Cereal-easy to store (always on my food storage list)

Bananas-I could use fresh or freeze-dried bananas

Milk-fresh milk or I could buy some long-term milk in a #10 can in case a disaster or unforeseen emergency happened by adding some of the water I have stored make a pint or more

Oatmeal-easy to store-I can make oatmeal in 15 minutes, make your own oatmeal in a jar ( could make it without fuel in a Sun Oven)

Honey-long term storage/white sugar is another long term sweetener Cox’s Honey

Raisins/Nuts-long term storage, although the nuts must be kept in the freezer or they go rancid

Spinach, Kale, and Celery-I freeze my spinach, dehydrate my Kale and make powder, and use freeze-dried celery if needed

Water-I need the water to make the milk if all I had was instant or dry milk

Whole wheat I have stored-I buy 200 pounds at a time-I am very fussy where I get my whole wheat-Hard White Wheat (this is always on my food storage list as well)

Yeast-yes, you can make some bread without yeast, but I prefer my whole wheat bread recipe Saf Instant Yeast, 1 Pound Pouch

Salt-its a basic necessity to make several things to eat Real Salt Sea Salt – Pouch, 26-Ounce

Baking powder/baking soda (basics to stock)

Oil (be careful, oil does go rancid) but I need it to make my bread (I buy Olive and Coconut)

Okay, so you can see if you have canned your own food you are in great shape. If you have a garden you are in great shape. So, now every time you go to the grocery store you will pick up a few extra bags of cereal (in our case). Maybe one #10 can of instant milk. Grab a container of honey or sweetener of choice. Start contacting your friends and work together to buy in bulk, mainly to save money. Buy a few buckets with airtight lids and fill them with oats and then date them, if you like oatmeal. Buy one extra large bag of flour (6-12 months is the shelf life, you cannot see the mold spores, but they are there). I am very careful what I buy and store so I do not waste a penny. Learn to make biscuits. Learn to make bread. Learn to make tortillas.

Food Storage List For Breakfast:

So basically my breakfasts consist of milk, cereal, fresh bananas, oatmeal, honey, raisins, nuts. The smoothies would have spinach, kale, celery and a variety of fruits. I would need wheat to grind to make my bread, yeast, lemon juice, salt, etc. I would need water to make the smoothies, oatmeal, and the bread. We need 4 gallons of water per person per day.

Food Storage List For Lunch:

Bread-I like to make my own bread because it is critical to keep my grocery costs down.  If you have friends that can teach you to make tortillas, bread, pizza dough or biscuits you will rock with skills!

Water-packed canned tuna and chicken. They have a fairly short shelf life (2-3 years). This keeps me out of the store and is cheaper than buying freshly sliced meat or expensive pre-packed lunch meat.

Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip (typically 1-year shelf life)

Peanut butter and jam (typically 1-year shelf life)

Apples (they last a couple months depending on the type of apple and if stored in the refrigerator)

Carrots (one month, if stored properly in the refrigerator)

Soups are good to have in your pantry as well (some store longer than others)

Water, water, and more water

Okay, for short to long term (a year supply), pick up several cans of tuna or chicken/turkey. If you can pressure can your meat that is awesome! Grab extra containers of peanut butter and jams or jelly. If you make jam or jelly, even better. Grab a few jars of mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. A few extra apples in the refrigerator would taste great if we were unable to travel on the roads because of a disaster or unforeseen emergency.

Food Storage List For Dinner:

Salad or vegetables (I make my own dressings)

Dehydrated potatoes are a staple in my home

Pasta, quinoa or rice with some kind of meat (I buy hamburger in bulk and package them in one-pound size bags)

Chicken or turkey (I buy frozen in bulk)-if you raise chickens you are awesome, hunters are prepared for the unexpected for sure. Learn to smoke or pressure can your meat

Water, water, and more water (never ending item on my food storage list-WATER)

Long term budget food storage: pick up some cans of green beans, corn, beans (dry or canned), quinoa, rice and pasta

Learn to dehydrate what you grow in your garden or on your fruit trees

Learn to can/bottle the fruits you grow, or buy cases of fruits and vegetables as your budget allows.

Food Storage List-Free Printable:

FSM Meal Planning Schedule

My favorite things:

All American Sun Oven- The Ultimate Solar Appliance

Prepare Your Family for Survival: How to Be Ready for Any Emergency or Disaster Situation

Prepare Your Family for Survival: How to Be Ready for Any Emergency or Disaster Situation

WaterBrick 1833-0001 Stackable Water and Food Storage Container, 3.5 gal of Liquid, 27 lb of Dry Food Products, Blue

Water Storage Containers – WaterBrick – 8 Pack Blue