Chapter 3 – Food

 

Stockpile the Right Food

To survive the aftermath of when the SHTF you must have a reliable stockpile of good quality food items.  Of course, the bigger your stockpile the more food it will supply and the longer you will be able to live off it. 

 

But a SHTF food stockpile is not all about quantity.  The particular food items you choose to store will play a huge role in determining how long your food store lasts, the quality and variety of nutrition it supplies and how easily it allows you to prepare meals.  When prepping it is crucial to think carefully about which items to stockpile, and food items are no different.

 

Everyone will have restrictions on the amount of space they can give over to a food store.  Therefore, it makes sense to choose items that can give the maximum nutritional value for the space they take up.  This means concentrating on protein and carbs.  It is protein and carbs that are the essentials that will keep you working and keep you alive. 

 

This chapter concentrates on the top 10 essential food items to stockpile.  These are the items, above all others, that you need to have on your food store.  It is not an exhaustive list, but a list of the items you should ensure that you definitely have in your SHTF stockpile.

 

ITEM #21 - MEAT

If we want to make sure we have access to protein then it makes perfect sense to stockpile meat.  There are very few foods that are better sources of sustenance than meat.  The problem for your SHTF stockpile is storing it.

 

Fresh meat has a very short shelf-life.  However, there you can buy meat products which have had the moisture removed and come vacuum-packed.  These include favorites, such as beef jerky, and can be stored for much longer.  

 

ITEM #22 - ROOT VEGETABLES

It makes complete sense to start building up your root vegetable cellar.  Root vegetables are an amazing source of many of the vitamins and essential nutrients we need to stay healthy.  The great things is, if stored correctly, root vegetables can be kept for several months.  Make sure they are stored in a dry, cool location away from the light.  Store in material bags rather than plastic and do not store in the refrigerator.  A root vegetable store means you can be eating fresh carrots, potatoes, onions, parsnips, turnips and garlic for months.  You can even keep apples this way too.  

 

ITEM #23 - CANNED FOODS

Food preserved in liquid and sealed in cans is perhaps the perfect SHTF food item.  Canned food remains preserved for months (and sometimes even years after the expiration date).  Not only that, the taste and nutritional value of the food is almost completely preserved too.  And lastly, canned food offers an incredible array of food types and tastes.  The variety available is so wide, you can pretty much find anything edible in canned form, but here are a few picks that you should stack in your SHTF stockpile.

 

The prepper's classic choice is canned corn.  But you don't have to stick to this.  Oily fish contains essential Omega 3 oils and there is a range of fish available in cans, including salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna.

 

Canned meat and condensed soups are a great choice for packed protein in a can.  Both can be supplemented with canned vegetables.  Good vegetables to choose are canned carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes, they have plenty of vitamins and also the fiber to help fill you up.   Also containing fiber are beans.  Whether you prefer green, white, red or refried , beans are full of energy and it is a good idea to add them to your stockpile.

 

You can add a little variety to your stockpile of cans with some more interesting veg, such as artichoke hearts, olives, asparagus, and sauerkraut.  Pick pumpkin puree to add a tasty source of Vitamin A to your diet.

 

If you are looking at pure nutritional value, it makes sense to look to canned fruit.  Surprisingly, it actually contains more calories than canned vegetables.  And as with veg, the range available is amazing.  You can choose to add fruit such as    mandarin oranges, peaches in syrup and pineapple chunks.  Canned fruit is also useful because it is a good source of additional liquid.

 

The critical value of water should be a guide for when you are stockpiling food and is another you may want to bolster your supplies of canned foods that have a high liquid content.  These can make a huge difference to the amount of liquid you are able to consume, so think about including canned fruits, such as preserved peaches and apple and cans of stewed tomatoes,

 

Nuts will also keep longer in cans.  Whether you stock peanut butter, loose nuts or trail mix, it makes sense to stockpile nuts.  They can be kept a long time and provide a real protein punch.  Be careful of prepackaged products such as peanut butter, stored in oil, as these may have a shorter shelf life.  

 

However, take into account the demand for water when you are considering the storage of foods with a high sodium content, such as nuts, crackers and preserved foods.  

 

A clever choice of many experienced preppers is canned coconut milk.  It is one of those products which is great for prepping for a variety of reasons.  It is healthy choice, it helps you create more interesting meals, it amazing for hydrations and actually helps you cook rice quicker and with less energy.

 

A little clever prepping saves water supply and creates more interesting meals.  Canned coconut milk is an amazing product which is great for hydration, perfect for food preparation and cook rice quicker. 

 

ITEM #24 - JAM

Rather than kick out the jams, you might want to include them in your stockpile.  Preserved fruit is great, because it is just that – preserved and fruit.  It gives you a long-lasting supply of nutritious and tasty fruit.  Whats more, you can also store and amazing variety from grape to apple and blackberry.  Remember that after jam jars have been opened they needs to be kept cold. 

 

ITEM #25 - PUMPERNICKEL

It's not easy to keep bread preserved for any length of time, which means its not a great item for your SHTF stockpile.  Once amazing exception is Pumpernickel.  When wrapped it can be kept for up to four months and in a can it can last for as long as 2 years.  It provides a filling food which can be added to bulk up meals.

 

ITEM #26 - WHEY POWDER

We know we need to pack in as much protein when we are stockpiling for when the SHTF, so why not cut to the chase and focus directly on the protein itself.  Protein supplements are usually associated just with gym users who are looking to build up muscle. 

 

However, there is no reason that they can't also provide a useful stockpile item for preppers too. Whey powder is the most popular because it is easy to store, lasts a long time and can be used to make shakes that provide a big hit of protein. Be aware that whey powder can easily be ruined by exposure to moisture and should always be kept inside an airtight container. 

 

ITEM #27 - DRINKS

Understandably, you will be focused on stockpiling as much water as possible.  However, that shouldn't mean that water is the only drink you think about storing.  Both coffee and tea are great for storing over long periods and have substantial benefits. Having your favorite hot drink can be a great comfort when times are hard and both are stimulants as they contain caffeine.  Canned fruit juices are also a great way to stay hydrated and get those essential vitamins. 

 

ITEM #28 - DRIED FOODS

Dried foods, or dehydrated foods, are really the staple item of any SHTF stockpile.  This is especially true if you are intending to survive on your stockpile for a long time after a SHTF event.  

 

The basic products for any long-term store are: water, wheat, rice, pasta and dehydrated milk.  If these are stored correctly they will keep supplying you with enough nutrition for many years into the future. 

 

You can increase the nutritional value by storing whole wheat flour. Oats are another healthy food that has traditionally been used to store.  But remember, with these food items its very important you know how you are going to use them and know how to prepare meals with them.

 

Rice is a very inexpensive food time that can be stored in bulk over long periods and contains many nutrients.  It can become a little bland, however, so make a point of stockpiling several different types to add a little variety.   Brown rice is the healthiest variety, but has the disadvantage of not lasting quite as long. 

 

Pasta is another staple food that has been providing people with their daily nutrition for centuries.  It is easy to prepare and can be added to just about any dish.  It lasts for absolutely ages, but remember, like rice it needs to be cooked in liquid.

 

Powdered milk may not be something you would normally store, but it is a must for every SHTF stockpile.  Dehydrated milk has been heated in order to remove any moisture and this means to can be stored for long periods.  There are many advantages to having a guaranteed supply of milk long into the future. 

 

These are the basic dried, dehydrated, or freeze dried foods and every stockpile should contain them.  Yet, it is not necessary to stop here.  Also think about stocking up with freeze dried fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots, dates, cranberries and mangoes, mixed vegetables, and meat, which can be used to make soups. 

 

Foods more suitable for long-term store are available to buy in bulk.  Major food retailers offer good deals on packs of free dried food.   If you are looking to build up a big long-term store consider searching online for suppliers who can provide bulk quantities of at discount prices. 

 

ITEM #29 - HONEY

Honey may seem like a food you only use occasionally and a bit of a luxury compared to the essential food items we have just discussed.  But there are several good reasons it should be one of the products that makes your SHTF stockpile.  Firstly, it can be used to sweeten some of the more bland items in your store.  Secondly, it is a natural antibiotic and has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats and other complaints.  And last, but not least, although it will  become cloudy and its flavor may change, it can be stored indefinitely. 

 

ITEM #30 - ALCOHOL

It can be debated whether alcohol is an item you want to have when SHTF.  Some people will decide it could do more harm than good.  But it does have some clear advantages as a stockpile item.  It can be used in food preparation, it can also be very useful as a disinfectant, and perhaps most importantly, it can be used to barter for other goods. 

 

These are the top ten food items for your food stockpile.  Although they are necessary for any serious SHTF stockpile, you shouldn't restrict yourself to just these essentials.  You should tailor your food stockpile to your own needs and consider the actual meals you will be able to prepare.

 

Cheese may seem an unusual item to put in your stockpile, but it is certainly worth considering.   Gouda, Parmesan, sharp Cheddar and other hard cheeses can be stored for a long time.  If they come encased in wax they can be kept almost indefinitely. 

 

A range of condiments, spices, herbs, salt and sugar are all incredibly useful in food preparation, in fact, it might be difficult for you to imagine your meals without them.  They take up little space and generally last for a long time, so there is no reason not to include them. 

 

You favorite sauces, herbs and spices are vital if you want to liven up meals made with things like rice, pasta and dehydrated vegetables.   There are many spices available, but you may want to consider saffron, ginger, mustard, cumin and oregano.  Salt can be useful if you wish to preserve food yourself.  Salting food, such as fish, pushes out moisture and so inhibits the growth of bacteria.

 

When thinking about food preparation, you should definitely consider stocking stock.  Bouillon cubes made from chicken, beef or vegetable stock, are an absolutely brilliant item for stockpiling.  They are compressed food, small, easy to store and easily improve the taste of a whole range of meals.

 

When you are thinking about food preparation, consider how easy it would be to prepare any meal without cooking oil.  You will also need to think about how long your favorite products will store for.   Crisco shortening can be stored for 2 years if it is not opened and a further year after it has been opened.  Coconut oil will keep for 18 months.  If you pay a little more for cold-pressed coconut oil, it should last for a number of years.