Long Term Food Storage Tips

There are some very good reasons for preparing a food supply that can be stored over a long period of time. Many choose to do it in preparation for a natural or economic disaster. Whatever the motivation, there are some things that a person can do to ensure that his food supply is safe and long lasting.

Where to Store the Food

• An ideal place to store food is a dry, cool and dark area. Light, humidity and heat will all damage or at least shorten the life of your food supply. Cellars have been effectively used for the storing of food for hundreds or even thousands of years, and still work very well today. In the absence of an underground cellar, utilize a closet or pantry where you can approximate the above ideal conditions.

Food Storage

• Stick to using new, plastic containers designed for storing food. They should not allow in any light and should have lids that seal to make the container airtight. Pick containers that have sizes and shapes that easily stack so that you can fully utilize whatever space you have available. Every time you open a container of food and expose it to air, you are decreasing its shelf life, so it is best to store items in a few smaller containers rather than one large one. Label the containers clearly to avoid having to open them to figure out what is inside.

Helpful Hints

• Adding some dried bay leaves to your food containers discourages bugs from taking over your food. You can also stop pests from damaging your supply by freezing the food at below zero degrees for a couple of days before storing. Keep your food supply up to date by using any items that are nearing the end of their shelf life and replacing them with fresh stock.