We all have a cabinet where we keep a few extra jars of pasta sauce, or extra canned soup for a rainy day. But do you have enough food staples stored to be able to miss a weekly grocery shopping trip in that cabinet? What if you had to shelter in place or evacuate your home in a state of emergency? The last thing you would want to have to worry about is feeding your family, and potentially your neighbors.
Let's take a look at what it takes to have a well-stocked pantry. Not just any pantry, but a functioning pantry that can easily be used in an emergency.
My definition of a functioning pantry is one that can be used out of and re-stocked easily. Don't purchase food that will sit on the shelf until it expires, and don't purchase food and stick back with no intentions of using unless there is an emergency. This will just be wasted money, time and space. Instead, purchase foods your family already uses, enjoys, and purchases on a regular basis. This will allow you to "shop" in your pantry for supper for unexpected company, when you missed a shopping trip and need a missing ingredients, or just day-to-day regular use. I use foods out of my pantry all the time. When I pull something from it, I write it down on the weekly shopping list to replace. This is a simple and effective way to keep the pantry stocked, as well as food on the table.
I advise having 2 weeks worth of food on hand. This helps to be prepared for emergencies such as illness, bad weather (winter is right around the corner!), or in the event of needing to shelter in place or evacuate.
Let each member of the family help with shopping for the pantry.
I would like to break this blog up into sections. Remember, not every pantry will, or needs to look the same. We each have different tastes preferences, and nutritional needs, as well as different budgets available to stock the pantry.
- Begin with the Basics
- Building a Carb Stash
- Protein Power
- Comfort Foods
- Storage
Begin with the Basics:
When you begin planning your pantry, the last thing you want to do is run out to the big box mega store and fill your cart with food that is not necessary. You will end up spending way too much money, and have a pantry full of food that may or may not work together. Instead, sit down with your family, including children, and discuss their food likes and dislikes. If your kids do not like a particular food, then don't stock up on it expecting them to eat it in an emergency. It will likely be wasted time and money in the long run.
That being said, don't cater to the "junk food" wishes of only eating chicken nuggets and mac & cheese either. Instead, think about the basic ingredients of meals you prepare for your family, and that they enjoy eating, and start there. Making a list of these ingredients will help you visualize how much of each item you need to purchase.
Some basic pantry staples are:
- Salt - This seasoning is used in almost every cooked dish I know of, and it stores well too!
- Misc. Seasonings Regularly Used - Think about the spices and seasonings you use on a regular basis and purchase an extra container or two to put in your pantry.
- Canned Goods - Basic canned goods like, vegetables, fruits, even some canned meats will be a wonderful addition to your pantry. Don't purchase dented cans, or cans that show signs of rusting. Also, do not purchase canned foods that your family isn't already familiar with.
- Coffee and/or Tea - If you are accustomed to having a cup of Java in the morning, do your family a favor and keep some in your emergency pantry! Going through an emergency, as well as caffeine withdrawal at the same time is too much for anyone!
- Dried Foods - Dried fruit makes an easily stored, yet highly nutritious snack for yourself and your family! Dried vegetables can easily be rehydrated in soups or for casseroles, and dried meat like Biltong or Jerky is a great way to preserve and enjoy meat!
- Vitamins and Medication - These are often overlooked items for an emergency pantry. However, if you are dependent on a medication, you need to have at least a couple of weeks worth stuck back just in case you are unable to get to the pharmacy during an emergency or illness. Basic vitamins are recommended for preventative measures. If your body is under stress, it is susceptible to becoming ill much easier than under normal circumstances.
Have a stash of your favorite spices.
Dried fruit and nuts are a great choice.
Don't forget vitamins and medication for each family member.
Building a Carb Stash:
Carbs may be seen as an enemy to anyone attempting to lose weight, however, they are essential for energy, comfort and nutrients. During an emergency, your body will need the extra carbs.
**If you have a family member with a gluten allergy, be aware of ingredients when purchasing pasta, cereal and bread ingredients.**
Think about the meals you already prepare for your family, if you make spaghetti for them on occasion, then have a stock of spaghetti noodles in the pantry.
If your family eats oatmeal, whether in cookies or for breakfast, then have some oatmeal in the pantry!
Crackers are always welcome when soup is served.
If you fix rice with any meal, then have an extra 5lb bag stored in the pantry.
All of these foods are typically used on a regular basis, they store well, and they can be used and re-stocked in the pantry very easily.
Have a variety of carbs on hand.
Protein Power:
Protein is an essential nutrient that doesn't need to be overlooked. There are more options for protein available now than what our grandparents could have ever imagined. Regardless of your nutritional needs or preferences, there is a protein option that is right for you!
- Hard Cheese - Hard cheese can be coated in wax and stored in a cool dry place for a very long time. It is a great source of protein, as well as having the potential for being a valuable food items for enjoying or bartering!
- Jerky or Biltong - Meat is the most basic form of protein. Having some dried meat such as jerky or biltong on hand is a great way to boost your protein, either in a pinch, or just on the weekend!
- Fish - Whether it is canned or dried, fish make a delicious addition to your protein stash. They also provide Omega-3 fatty acids!
- Nuts - Nuts can go rancid rather quickly, so, if you eat nuts regularly then by all means keep them in the pantry and just replace them as they are used. If you do not eat them regularly, then store them in freezer bags in the freezer. Freezing the nuts helps stop the oils in the nuts from going rancid. Nuts are a great option for protein for those who prefer not to eat meat. Nuts can also be in the form of peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter!
Jerky, or dried meat is a great source of protein!
Photo credit: jerkyholic.com
Hard cheese gives variety to any meal.
Comfort food such as chocolate can go a long way for boosting morale in an otherwise grim situation.
Comfort Foods:
It doesn't matter if it is a food that is used regularly, or just a little something to make an emergency situation a little less stressful, having something as a comfort food can make a big difference in your mental status.
I keep a stash of cake mixes, and jars of my homemade brownie mix in my pantry. I use them regularly, so they are replaced often, however, it is so handy to have something to fix when company comes over, or we just want something sweet.
Some comfort foods to consider are:
- Favorite Condiments - If the kids are used to having ketchup with their fried potatoes, then keep some extra ketchup on hand. If the spouse enjoys honey mustard with their chicken, then keep a few extra bottles stashed! Whatever condiments your family enjoys with their meals, those are the ones you need to focus on.
- Sweets - Having some cookies or a favorite candy on hand is a great mood booster for children and adults alike!
- Herbs and Spices - Trust me, if you are having to eat either fresh caught game meat, or meat from a can, you will appreciate some seasoning! These are also handy for when you are in the middle of fixing dinner and realize you are out of a commonly used spice!
Storage:
When I talk about storage, I am referring to a few different styles of storage. Long-term, short-term and evacuation storage are the three types of storage I consider for my pantry.
Long-term storage is used for foods such as bulk rice, bulk flour and my home-canned foods. These foods are either processed with a safe canning method according to the food type, or they are vacuum sealed in jars and bags. Foods that are great for long-term dry storage in vacuum sealed bags or jars are; wheat, white rice, white sugar, dried beans or peas, dry pasta, rolled oats, potato flakes, and nonfat powdered milk. You want to make sure these foods are completely dry, you do not want to store foods that are still moist, or foods that have a high oil content.
Food items intended for long-term storage need to be kept in the proper storage conditions. Typically, a cool, dark area works best. Temperature fluctuations and light exposure can cause food to spoil quicker.
Containers need to be kept free from bugs and out of reach of rodents.
You can be creative in where you store your long-term foods. Under the bed, in the floor of a closet, or organized in a corner of the basement works great for long-term storage.
Short-term storage is used for foods such as peanut butter, regularly used ingredients, meats and dairy. Of course the meat and dairy items need to be properly stored in the freezer or refrigerator to maintain freshness. Regularly used ingredients do not need to be put into long-term storage since they are used regularly and it would be a hassle to get them out each time. Instead, keep these items in the pantry, or in a kitchen cabinet for easy access when needed. This will also make it easier for you to monitor your inventory!
Evacuation storage is a term I use for an evacuation pantry supply. This is a tote(s) or other container(s) I pack with a supply of non-perishable food items that we can grab and take with us in the event of an emergency evacuation. Although we try to avoid most processed and packaged foods, when it comes to evacuation supplies, I look for nutrition and convenience. Having a meal or side dish that only requires adding water and heating can be a life saver when in a disaster situation.
Living in the woods, we recognize the potential danger for a wildfire. If we needed to evacuate, sorting through which foods and medications to take would be time consuming, and that would be time we didn't have to waste! By having an evacuation pantry ready, we just need to grab it and go! This type of food storage does not need to be "Out of sight, out of mind", it still needs maintenance. Typically, twice a year, I pull out the totes we have packed, and sort through the foods. Any foods that are getting close to the expiration date get swapped out for a fresh food supply. The foods that are removed are placed in the regular pantry for usage.
Having some home canned food on hand is so satisfying and rewarding.
Dehydrated foods can be stored in vacuum sealed containers such as jars.
Evacuation food supplies need to be easy to prepare.
This brings me to another factor for storing food. There is a term, "FIFO" which stands for "First In First Out". Basically, you want to treat your panty shelves like a grocery store.
When the shelves at the grocery store are restocked, the existing product is kept at the front, and the new product is placed in the back. This prevents a box of cereal from being left on the shelf for years! It promotes the older stock to be used, before the newer stock is used.
This method works great in the pantry as well. Just like in my evacuation storage, I go through my pantry and any items that are nearing their expiration (see: https://www.thepreservationjourney.com/1467537_expiration-dates-explained for more info on expiration dates), I plan on using in a meal for the next week or so, and I replace that item with a fresh stock.
I have also included a couple of YouTube videos below, both for large scale, and small scale pantries for organizing and rotating your food supply.
Add comment
Comments