When it comes to emergency food supply, it is important to choose the right items that will provide you with the energy and nutrition you need. Peanut butter is a great source of energy, packed with healthy fats and proteins. It does not require refrigeration after opening, unless otherwise stated on the bottle. Multi-grain cereals are also a great choice, as they can be individually packaged to prevent them from going rancid after opening.
For those who are gluten-free, there are plenty of options available, such as the Gluten-Free Essential Bucket from Mountain House. This bucket includes four varieties of food, such as rice and chicken, and scrambled eggs with bacon, all made without wheat, barley or rye ingredients. It provides 22 servings, enough to feed a person for four days. All Mountain House survival food supplies have a guaranteed shelf life of 30 years.Rations are also a great choice for emergency food supply.
The package contains nine fortified food bars for a total of 3,600 calories. They do not require any preparation and provide energy that is quick and easy to transport. The service life is five years, but unlike other options, this rating is for “weather conditions”. Canned proteins such as tuna, salmon, chicken, corned beef, turkey, spam, and even bacon have a very long shelf life of three to five years past the expiration date.Flour also has a long shelf life of three to eight months at room temperature.
The specific shelf life depends on the type of flour, its ingredients and how you store it. Salt will never spoil while pepper should be used within five years after which it may lose its potency. Bouillon cubes have a shelf life of two years.When it comes to emergency food supply, it is important to remember that perishable foods should not be stored for more than four hours above 40 F. A refrigerator is well insulated so if you don't open it, the temperature will stay at a safe level for an additional hour or two.
It is also important to include other people in your count who may depend on you in case of an emergency.When choosing emergency food supply items, opt for higher-quality foods that will last longer and provide more energy and nutrition. Canned foods containing meat, poultry or fish should be used within two days while leftover canned foods should be used after three to four days of refrigeration. Military and camping supply tents are good sources of some compact, well-preserved foods that are good choices for emergency preparedness kits.Be sure to inspect your emergency food supply regularly to make sure there are no rusty, leaking, bulging or heavily dented containers and that there are no broken seals. Store your emergency supplies in a cool, dry place and do everything you can to prevent rodents and insects from storming your stash.