No doubt, food storage forms a critical component of prepping. Besides the food items, having an adequate amount of fuel to keep you going is essential. That’s why having a basic food prepper plan is recommended as it will keep your family healthy, energized, or even alive when other food sources run out completely.
There are some food prepping principles that one should implement when it comes to prepping food for short or long-term storage. They should guide you when thinking about storing and preserving food, whatever the resources at your disposal. The goal of diversity in your long-term food storage strategy is for your family to not suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
Control moisture levels.
The first strategy in your food storage plan is to reduce moisture levels as much as possible. Moisture should be seen as enemy number one as it causes food to spoil quickly. It can also deteriorate the food containers or materials being used to store the food. For example, wood will weaken while metal will rust.
The storage location
Next, you’ll want to keep things as cool as you can. The warmer your food, the less it lasts. This should be a key consideration when selecting your food storage items and the location. For example, it won’t be prudent to store your food in the same location where you’re probably growing crops indoors. This area is likely to be warmer as humidity levels are likely to be higher.
Ensure the prepping food storage area is dark. Light tends to have a negative impact on the food items you want to preserve. An ideal place would be a dry basement, as it will keep your emergency food storage cool, dry, and away from the elements, vermin, and excessive light.
Check the food container sealing.
When starting to store the food, try and remove oxygen from the equation. A well-sealed bag or container can make all the difference in terms of protecting the food. Your basic food prepper items should ideally be non-perishable.
Food items such as canned goods, freeze-dried meals, or dried meat products like pemmican are some of the best to consider. Such foods can last for years or decades if they are sealed properly, ensuring you have healthy and hygienic food even during the worst-case scenario.
Conclusion
Besides water, food is the most important aspect to consider in the event of an emergency. Don’t wait until the last minute when the store shelves are empty, or processes have skyrocketed. Additionally, life can be very unpredictable, and not every disaster can be predicted. Waiting until the last minute could prove dangerous.
Living a life of preparedness requires discipline and commitment. Food shortages are highly unpredictable, and that’s why maintaining some basic food prepper principles is indispensable. In a disaster or emergency, your store shelves are likely to be cleaned quickly, leaving your family in dire straits. While implementing the above basic food prepping strategies might not seem important when everything is running smoothly, you’ll be glad you took them if things take a bad turn.