Building Your First Food Storage
If a disaster strikes, you may not have access to food, water, and electric power. It is vital to assemble your food storage now, before a disaster leaves you scrambling for much needed supplies. Here is a guide to help you assemble your first food storage.
Shelf Life:
The food that you store will never be of higher quality than when you originally pack it. In fact, it will only get worse as time passes. All food naturally loses nutritional value and decreases in quality of taste, texture, and use. For this reason, it is vital to rotate the foods in your storage, and choose foods with longer shelf lives.
Environmental Conditions:
Most foods will keep best at temperatures between 32°F and 72°F with a humidity of 15% or less. Store food in containers that block out moisture. Keep your food storage in an air-conditioned location on shelves when the weather is warm and humid. It is also important to keep your food out of direct sunlight, as this will causes nutritional breakdown, particularly of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Store food in a pantry or climate-controlled basement. If neither of these options is available, pack it in cardboard boxes.
Types of Food:
First, consider which types of grains you will store. Grains are a nutritious form of carbohydrates that are useful for providing energy and satiety. Be sure that the grains you choose do not conflict with any food allergies, wheat and other gluten-containing grains being the most common.
Next, select a variety of legumes. These offer an excellent form of complex carbohydrates with high amounts of protein. Dry milk products are easy to store and can be used for drinking and cooking. They are high in essential vitamins and minerals. Canned goods are non-perishable and easy to store. Take caution with fats and oils, as they tend to go rancid after extended periods of time. This causes a buildup of carcinogenic materials, known for causing cancer.
Cooking Staples:
Since you never know how long you will be without food, cooking staples are good to have in your storage. Key staples include baking powder, baking soda, herbs, spices, salt, vinegar, and yeast.
Spoilage:
Food spoilage caused by pest infestations, bacteria, or mold is common when foods are stored incorrectly. Always examine your food prior to building your emergency storage. Be sure that storage containers have been thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.