How To Create An Emergency Food Stash For A Family Of 4 [With Example]

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Creating a well-stocked pantry for a household of four is a critical task.

When doing so, keep in mind that storing up on survival food components is a two-pronged battle:

To begin, gather components or materials that you will actually consume.
Second, you should learn how to make and enjoy the foods that you are accumulating.
In other words, if you have not learned to cook, you must not only stock up on roughly 100 pounds of dried beans or rice, but you must also learn to make beans or rice in the manner that you and your family prefer.

For the most part, the second duty appears to be more difficult. In comparison to past generations, most of us are typically far removed from cooking, particularly when it comes to cooking with raw ingredients, the majority of which are mostly preserved in a dry environment.

How Much Food Do You Need For 1 Year?

When assembling your food storage items for a one-year supply of food, the first thing you should consider is a supply of a few easy-to-prepare, good-tasting boxes, such as noodles, soups, and so on.

While these aren’t necessarily healthy, they’re quick and tasty, and they’ll help to fill your hungry stomach. You don’t want to soak black beans for nearly three hours or worry about preparing bread from scratch when things are chaotic and falling apart inch by inch.

The goal with such meals is to quickly put something together to satisfy your family’s stomachs so that you can regroup and plan your next move.

Stovetop Meals & Stuffing
Waffle or Pancake Mixes
Potatoes Au Gratin

Cheese & Macaroni
Ravioli, Canned Spaghetti, And Similar Products

Starches & Grains

Starches and grains are long-lasting foods that are often easier to prepare than other foods. They usually are inexpensive & are considered the backbone of survival food products.

They are carbohydrate-dense and a fantastic source of quick energy. When paired with sauces, meats, and vegetables, they provide more energy. The following are examples of such items:

Noodles & Bulk Pasta: Macaroni, Spaghetti, Linguine & Fettuccine

Cereals: In Specific, Think About Items Such as Shredded Wheat
Couscous
Oatmeal

Bulk Instant Potatoes
Instant Rice Mixes

Proteins

Proteins are the building blocks that allow cells to grow and repair. While protein can be obtained from a variety of plant sources such as nuts, grains, beans, and so on, animals provide the greatest and most common source of protein.

It’s worth noting that canned meat is a cheap and long-lasting option to add protein to your emergency diet.

Protein shakes and bars have grown in popularity over the last few decades because they provide an immediate and convenient source of protein.

Canned Goods

You may acquire them in far larger quantities and at considerably lower prices. However, keep in mind that they will require a longer cooking time.

As a result, we recommend stocking up on canned beans that are not only ready to cook but also convenient to consume on the road. Listed below are a few examples:

Refried beans
Black beans

Garbanzo beans
Pinto beans
Kidney beans

White beans
Baked beans
Butter beans

Almond butter
Peanut butter
Cashew butter

Sun butter
Dehydrated peanut butter
Canned beef

Protein bars
Protein powder & shake mixes
Canned chicken

Canned turkey
Salmon
Tuna

Hot dogs & cured sausages
Vienna sausages
Boxed tofu

Dehydrated eggs

Soup

Soups are a tried-and-true way of satisfying your stomach. Do you need to feed a few additional folks on the go? Simple! Simply add water and soup powder, heat, and serve while on the move.

Soup has always been a staple for those who live in extreme poverty. Those who were trying to stretch their war rations even ate it.

There are a variety of selections in the stock that are not only filling but also delicious. Soup is a great survival food since it is easy to make and has a long shelf life.

Dried Soup Mixes

Canned Soups
Canned Chili
Ramen Noodles

Chowders
Stews

Fruits/Dried Fruits

Fruits help to lend a touch of sweetness to most dishes, helping them taste better. Fruits can also be added to oatmeal in the morning, eaten as a snack, or combined with other proteins.

Fruits, in addition to offering wonderful taste, can assist gain vitamin C, iron, potassium, antioxidants, vitamin A, and a variety of other nutrients when added to the diet. At the same time, some nutrients may be lost during the preservation procedure.

The ideal fruit setting is to have easy access to fruit trees. For people who do not have access to fruit trees, there are canned and dried versions of food that can be conveniently replenished.

Dried fruits, unlike canned items, do not have a shelf life. Canned and dried food products can also be conveniently stored for folks who do not have access to fresh fruits.

Fruit Leathers and Dried Fruits

Raisins
Apricots

Mixed fruit
Cranberries
Banana chips

Canned Fruits

Mixed fruit
Pineapple

Applesauce
Peaches
Pears

Jellies, Jams & Preserves

Cherry
Peach

Orange Marmalade
Strawberry
Raspberry

Blackberry
Blueberry
Apricot

Vegetables

Micronutrients and fiber are found in vegetables. However, getting a good calorie source is highly dependant on what you have on hand.

For the highest calorie source, focus on sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other root crops. While many Westerners do not eat them on a regular basis, they are hearty and delicious with the right flavors and preparation.

The following are examples of common vegetable products:

Vegetable Juices
Canned Tomatoes
Carrots

Canned Pumpkin
Corn
Green Beans

Peas
Beets
Mixed Vegetables

Asparagus
Potatoes

Oils, Sauces & Condiments

Condiments and sauces add taste and variation to a long-term food preservation list that could otherwise be monotonous.

Oils provide energy, are high in calories, and are necessary for cooking and baking.

The Fundamental Issue Is Their Shelf Stability.

Coconut oil, in fact, is one of those that can be kept for a long time, perhaps two years on the shelf. The most important thing to know about the oil you’re carrying is its shelf life.

Syrup
Organic Shortening
Lard

Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Tabasco

Mayonnaise
Soy Sauce
Mustard

BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Salad Dressings

Dairy

If you’re a dedicated homesteader, you might have a cow or goat you can milk, but for the rest of us, a few dairy essentials can go a long way.

For drinking, whole milk powder or powdered milk can be used. It can also be used in baking.

While stable shelf cheeses aren’t considered high-end, they can add some flavor to your life if you have the space and budget. These include items such as powdered Parmesan cheese and wax-encased hard cheeses.

Preserved cheese can live anywhere from 10 to 25 years, depending on the type of cheese and how well it is processed.

Sweetened Condensed Milk or Evaporated Milk
Powdered Whey

Powdered Milk
Ghee
Shelf Stable Butter

Freeze Dried Cheese
Parmesan
Canned Cheese

Shelf Stable Cheese

Snacks

While the snacks are generally not very nutritional or healthful, they are extremely comfortable and provide a welcome burst of energy in the middle of meals.

In a survival priority list, this item is near the bottom. Even so, if you’ve already used a variety of preparation goods, it’s not a bad idea to include it. Products like this are available:

Cookies
Popcorn
Granola Bars

Beef Jerky
Crackers
Pemmican

Hard Cheese Completely Encased in Wax
Trail Mix
Hard Candy

Pickles

Nuts

Nuts can even be regarded a good source of energy, albeit they are not shelf-stable for long periods of time.

Pecan

Walnuts
Peanuts
Almonds

Mixed Nuts
Hazelnuts
Sunflower Seeds

Drinks

Drinks not only add nutritious value to food, but they’re also delicious. Consider how much you would enjoy a delicious hot cup of cocoa on a chilly winter day.

Tea and coffee are a tremendously soothing element of many people’s daily routines.

It’s worth noting that drinks provide both energy and nourishment in one package. These items include:

Powdered Drink Mixes & Sport Drinks
Teas
Coffee

Oval Tine
Hot Chocolate

Beans and Grains You Can Get In Bulk

Bulk essentials are at the crossroads of the cheapest and longest-lasting long-term food storage options. Beans, in particular, are extremely abundant in calories, extremely adaptable, and can even be sprouted for added nourishment.

The downside is that they take a long time to prepare. Beans must be presoaked for a period of time before being cooked for another hour. Rice will take some time to cook unless you have a rice cooker.

Bulk Staples include a variety of dry beans, including:

Kidney Beans
Black Beans
Black Eyed Peas
Pinto Beans
Lima Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Flax
Kamut
Buckwheat
Dry Corn
Millet
Hard Red Wheat
Spelt
Barley
Oat Groats
Rye Berries
Soft White Wheat
Rolled Oats
Quinoa
Red Lentils
Split Peas

One of the most important items is rice. Brown rice has a shorter shelf life than white, jasmine, or basmati rice, while being more nutritious and filling.

Freeze Dried Food for Emergency

Freeze-dried foods are more compact, lighter, and have a better flavour than canned goods. You can prepare them in such a way that they will be shelf-stable for years while maintaining the same nutritious content.

They also have a great flavour. However, they are prohibitively expensive and time consuming to prepare. It’s worth noting that freeze-dried fruits are particularly noticeable and popular because they don’t need to be reconstituted to be enjoyed.

Fruits that have been freeze-dried are high in antioxidants and fibre. The following are examples of freeze-dried fruits:

Blueberries
Strawberries
Apples
Bananas
Mangoes
Blackberries
Raspberries
Pineapples

Also, don’t forget to include freeze-dried meat and veggies in your one-year food supply list.

Baking and Cooking Ingredients

Flour
Grits
Cornmeal
Molasses
Sugar
Iodized Salt
Seasoning & Spices
Garlic
Pepper
Rosemary
Chili Powders
Mustard
Oregano
Cumin
Ginger
Saffron
Dill
Vanilla Extract
Apple Cider Vinegar
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Bread Mixes
Yeast
Bullion Cubes
Coconut Milk or Powder
Bread Crumbs
Vegetable, Chicken, Beef Stock
Potato Flour or Cornstarch
Cocoa Powder
Honey

Vitamins

Vitamin supplements can be quite beneficial for people who follow a diet that is devoid of fresh vegetables. Starting with a good multivitamin is a smart idea. It’s worth noting that there’s a different multivitamin for males and women.

Calcium and vitamin D can help your body fight a variety of infections. Magnesium protects your body from the effects of constant adrenaline and stress.

Other vitamins assist your body in absorbing nutrients and replenishing them more effectively.

Family Pet Foods

In life, don’t forget about the critters! For most of us, four-legged pals are as much a part of our family as other members. As a result, your pets’ food stockpile should be increased in accordance.

Large dogs, cats, and livestock will all cost substantially more than small dogs, cats, and livestock. It’s also important to remember to get the right amount of protein.

What Type of Food Is Easiest to Store?

Food storage can be expensive. There appears to be good news for people on a tight budget, as you tend to spend a lot of money on the preparation.

You may not have all of the food you want to make, but you will have enough to feed your family.

Dry Beans

Beans are a common protein source all throughout the world.

Beans are necessary in Mexico, as everyone who has visited the country knows. It contains a lot of nourishment in a tiny amount of space. Beans are also available in a variety of various varieties.

Rice

Rice is a common ingredient in many dishes. Beans and rice are the most prevalent dishes in most countries and territories.

While brown rice is a good source of protein, survivalists prefer basmati or white rice due to its shorter shelf life and ability to be preserved for longer periods of time.

Whole Grains

When we think of grains, we usually think of wheat, mostly because we use it to make bread. When buying specialised bread, such as rye bread, look for bread that is produced with a combination of wheat and rye flour.

When you buy 7-grain bread, you’re getting a blend of seven different grains. Having a supply of grains on hand, preferably mixed, will allow you to experiment and break up the monotony of your diet. You’ll also have more nutrient-dense bread.

Cooking Oils

Cooking oil is required to properly use the grains. Fortunately, unless you buy olive oil or something similar, it is not expensive.

Oils can be stored for a long time if properly packed. Bacteria and insects have a little chance of developing in it.

Peanut Butter

It’s a low-cost protein source that’s also high in nutrients. And they can be stored for a long time.

Pasta

Pasta, like rice, is a high-carbohydrate food. The beautiful thing about this is that you can use it for a variety of purposes.

Aside from tossing them in a sauce to make spaghetti, they also make a nice base for a variety of soups.

Soup Stock

Bouillon is a soup stock that has been dehydrated or freeze-dried. It might be costly if purchased from a grocery store. However, if purchased in bulk for usage in hotels or restaurants, it can be inexpensive.

Salt

Salt is necessary for good health. Salt deficiency inhibits the body from retaining enough water.

Furthermore, salt is employed as a meat preservative. Those who kill a deer or any other animal will need salt to keep the meat from spoiling.

Sugar

Sugar is a delicious pleasure. It works well as a preservative in bread dough and fruits, for example.

Sugar, like salt, can linger for a long time. The only problem is keeping moisture and ants away of the area.

Premade Food Kits For Families

You can always purchase pre-made supplies for your family, but it will get quite expensive. Food prepping is already not super cheap, to begin with, but for around $3000 per person, you can purchase a 1 year supply of food that’s all done for you. Check out mypatriotsupply.com for the best packages for your family. Here is the link to the 1 year supply for one person pack —-> https://mypatriotsupply.com/collections/long-term-food-storage/products/1-year-emergency-food-supply-2-000-calories-day

Full List For 1 Year Supply of Food For Family Of 4

For this reason, we recommend assembling a small supply of easy-to-prepare survival items so that the survival recipes, such as a bucket of rice or beans, aren’t limited to whatever is left in the cupboard.

In the preceding section of the article, we have given a one-year supply of food for a family of four. Simply take a look at it and gather those foods that will last a long time.

How To Create An Emergency Food Stash For A Family Of 4 [With Example]