Long-Term Food Storage: Best Foods, Containers, & Treatments.

Written by Isaac Lewin

Published on September 17, 2024

Long-term food storage has been a cornerstone of human survival for millennia. From Native Americans drying fish to ancient civilizations fermenting grapes and storing grains, preserving food has always been crucial. A century ago, home pantries stocked with potatoes, canned goods, and preserves were common. Today, with modern refrigeration and year-round fresh food availability, this practice has waned. However, maintaining a well-stocked pantry with grains, meats, and produce remains both practical and cost-effective. Growing up, our basement pantry was always filled with canned goods and bulk ingredients, thus grounding my belief in the importance of long-term food storage for every household.

Deciding your long-term food storage solution can be challenging.

For some, the thought of long-term food storage is packing your pantry with everything you can grab from the grocery store or hoarding canned goods. But actually, creating a desirable stockade of food to store long term takes methodology and planning.

Food Fatigue: Our well-planned long-term food supply includes a variety of foods to accommodate potential dietary changes. Regular rotation of stored foods allows for adjustments to the supply. Additionally, having a food supply doesn't mean exclusively eating stored food - it can be supplemented with fresh items as needed.

Storage Space: Efficient storage solutions can maximize space. For example, vacuum-sealed bags can reduce food volume by up to 75%. Utilizing vertical space with shelving units can also help. Moreover, a 6-month supply doesn't necessarily require excessive space - a year's supply for one person can fit in about 80-100 cubic feet, which is manageable even in smaller living spaces.

Food Freshness: Modern food preservation techniques have greatly improved the quality of long-term storage foods. A study by Brigham Young University found that many properly stored foods can maintain quality for 30 years or more. Proper storage in airtight containers can maintain food freshness and nutritional value for extended periods.

Cost: While the upfront cost may seem high, buying in bulk often leads to significant savings. A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that buying in bulk can save consumers up to 20% on average. For a 6-month food supply, this could translate to substantial savings over time. Additionally, proper food storage can reduce food waste, which costs the average American family $1,500 per year. Financing options or layaway plans could also help spread out the cost.

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FIFO Food Storage vs Long Term Food Storage

There are two main ways to store food, the FIFO method and general long-term storage. FIFO means "First In, First Out." It's a process which cycles through older food in your supply before newer food. Here's what you need to know:

  1. It's for food you'll eat soon, like in a few weeks or months.
  2. Restaurants, stores, and home kitchens use this method.
  3. You put older food in front so you use it first.
  4. This helps stop food from going bad and keeps everything fresh.

General long-term storage is useful for keeping food for a very, very long time, often years. Here are the key points:

  1. It's often used for emergencies or survival situations.
  2. Food stored this way can last 5 to 25 years or more.
  3. It includes special foods like freeze-dried items, grains, and beans.
  4. The food is prepared in special ways to last longer.
  5. You need to store it carefully, watching things like temperature and humidity.

Both methods are important. FIFO helps you to practice using food before it goes bad and long-term storage helps you be ready for extreme emergencies. We advise to use the FIFO method with your Organic Pantry Starter Pack to make sure you eat the oldest food first.

 

Considering your family's families diet and nutritional needs play a crucial factor in deciding which long food solution you should purchase.

✅ Proteins -

The Organic Pantry Starter Pack contains approximately 27,620 grams of protein in total, providing about 153 grams of protein per day for six months. The average protein content per serving across your bundle items is about 25 grams, which is higher than many standard meal replacement options that often provide 15-20 grams per serving. Several high-protein foods are included in your bundle, such as French Lentils (51.99g protein/cup), Red Lentils (45.91g protein/cup), and Cranberry Beans (44.91g protein/cup), comparing favorably to many protein-focused products on the market. The bundle offers a wide range of protein sources, including legumes (various beans and lentils), grains (quinoa, barley, wheat), and seeds (chia seeds), ensuring a complete amino acid profile and more diversity than many competitor offerings that rely heavily on soy or whey protein. It includes complete proteins like quinoa and chia seeds, which contain all essential amino acids, providing an advantage over bundles that only offer incomplete plant proteins. Additionally, the bundle provides about 0.07 grams of protein per calorie on average, a good ratio for a balanced diet, comparing well to the recommended 0.08 grams per calorie for a 2000-calorie diet with 15% protein.

✅ Whole Grains -

Our focus was on essential grains, offering a total of approximately 455,371 calories, which equates to about 2,500 calories per day for over six months from just grains alone. Each serving is nutritionally dense, averaging about 195 calories per serving, which is higher than many standard meal options typically providing 150 calories per serving. High-calorie grains included in the bundle are Jasmine White Rice (641 calories/cup), Rolled Oats (320 calories/cup), and Yellow Popcorn (440 calories/cup), ensuring substantial energy provision that surpasses many long-term food storage solutions on the market.

 

The bundle contains a diverse range of grains, including nutrient-rich options like Quinoa (23.99g protein/cup), Hard White Wheat (24g protein/cup), and Barley (22.96g protein/cup), to guarantee a balanced nutritional profile. This variety ensures a comprehensive intake of essential nutrients, offering more diversity than many competitor bundles that often rely heavily on a single grain type. The inclusion of grains such as quinoa, with its complete protein profile, provides an advantage over bundles that only offer incomplete plant proteins. This ensures our long-term food supply is not only calorie-dense but also nutritionally balanced, supporting sustained energy and overall health.

✅ Natural Foods -

At Country Life Natural Foods, we work directly with organic farmers to ensure the highest quality products for our customers. Our relationships with these farmers allow us to receive crops by the tractor-trailer load, which we then break down into consumer-friendly bulk sizes. This direct-from-farm approach not only guarantees freshness but also allows us to share significant savings with our customers. Our dedicated team takes on the hard work of procuring nearly 2,000 non-GMO and organic products, ensuring that every item we offer meets our stringent quality standards. We don't sell chemicals; we sell pure, natural foods, providing peace of mind for our customers with every purchase.

✅ Always Fresh -

At Country Life Natural Foods, we ensure our food always stays fresh by maintaining a high turnover rate for our inventory. We move a substantial volume of product each month, which means nothing sits on our shelves for long before we bring in new shipments. This rapid turnover guarantees that our customers always receive the freshest products possible. This is especially true for our nuts, which are particularly sensitive to freshness. By constantly replenishing our stock, we ensure that every order of nuts, grains, and other products is as fresh as possible, providing the highest quality and best taste for our customers.

Be naturally prepared for any food shortage, national emergency, or pandemic.

Country Life offers a diverse range of healthy food products that cater to various dietary needs and preferences while prioritizing convenience and quality. From baking mixes and cereals to soups and canned goods, their selection provides options for quick meals, easy home baking, and nutritious snacks. By balancing traditional flavors with modern convenience. We aim to simplify meal preparation for busy consumers without compromising on taste or nutritional value. Our long-term food supply demonstrates our commitment to providing wholesome, ready-to-use options that can easily integrate into various lifestyles, making it easier for customers to enjoy home-style meals with minimal effort.

Long-Term Food Supply

  • 100% Organic

  • Over 750,000 Calories

  • Infinite Meal Combinations

  • Friendly Customer Support

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