Long-Term Food Storage: Best Foods, Containers, & Treatments.
Written by Isaac Lewin · Published 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. Today, with modern refrigeration and year-round fresh food availability, this practice has waned. However, maintaining a well-stocked pantry with grains and produce remains both practical and cost-effective.
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. But actually, creating a desirable stockade of food to store long term takes methodology and planning.
Food Fatigue
Our well-planned supply includes a variety of foods to accommodate potential dietary changes. Regular rotation allows for adjustments, and stored food can be supplemented with fresh items.
Storage Space
Vacuum-sealed bags can reduce food volume by up to 75%. A year's supply for one person can fit in about 80–100 cubic feet.
Food Freshness
A study by Brigham Young University found that many properly stored foods can maintain quality for 30 years or more when stored in airtight containers.
Cost
Buying in bulk can save up to 20% on average. Proper storage reduces food waste, which costs the average American family $1,500 per year.
FIFO Food Storage vs Long Term Food Storage
FIFO means "First In, First Out" — cycling through older food before newer food. It's for food you'll eat within weeks or months, used in restaurants, stores, and home kitchens to keep everything fresh.
General long-term storage is for keeping food for years — often for emergencies. Food stored this way can last 5 to 25 years, using freeze-dried items, grains, and beans prepared with special techniques, carefully watching temperature and humidity.
We advise using the FIFO method with your Organic Pantry Starter Pack to make sure you eat the oldest food first.
Nutritional Considerations
✅ Proteins — The Organic Pantry Starter Pack contains approximately 27,620 grams of protein in total, providing about 153 grams per day for six months. High-protein foods include French Lentils (51.99g/cup), Red Lentils (45.91g/cup), and Cranberry Beans (44.91g/cup). The bundle includes complete proteins like quinoa and chia seeds.
✅ Whole Grains — Approximately 455,371 total calories — about 2,500 calories per day from grains alone for over six months. High-calorie grains: Jasmine White Rice (641 cal/cup), Rolled Oats (320 cal/cup), Yellow Popcorn (440 cal/cup).
✅ Natural Foods — We work directly with organic farmers to ensure the highest quality. Our team procures nearly 2,000 non-GMO and organic products — no chemicals, pure natural foods.
✅ Always Fresh — We maintain a high turnover rate for our inventory, ensuring that our customers always receive the freshest products possible.