Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and blizzards can occur at any time and often without warning. When these disasters strike, people tend to rush to the nearest grocery store to stock up on supplies. Some studies show that the reality for any city is that it only has about 1-2 days of food available at any given time.
If a food shortage similar to what happened in Venezuela should happen in North America soon, are you prepared enough to face it or do you prepare before it arrives? Prepare now or prepare for the consequences later. It’s not that difficult, you can start with these list of 11 non-perishable must-have foods for emergencies that you could do following some recipe from the depression era.
The Food Crisis in Venezuela
Raquel Díaz spends most of her time waiting in long lines outside supermarkets in Venezuela’s chaotic capital city, Caracas. The unemployed, 32-year-old single mother is constantly trying to find something to feed her six children. “We used to find food after hours waiting in line, but not anymore,” she said.
Like many other Venezuelans, if Díaz does manage to find food these days, she then struggles to pay for it: prices have soared. Her son Brayan, 14, suffers from malnutrition and sometimes misses school for weeks at a time. “He is too skinny,” said Díaz, as she drops him off at class. “He is now having problems learning new things. Here in Venezuela, this is happening everywhere. No one can study on an empty stomach.” credit image
A man shouts during a protest over food shortage and against Venezuela’s government in Caracas on June 14. Marco Bello/Reuters
Here a video that I have listened back in the time where I prepared myself on food Non-Perishable Food for Emergency
There are a few food items that can stand the test of time and last for a long while. These food items must meet your nutritional needs and also be high in calories. They need to be stored properly in cool, dry places with no moisture content for them to retain their long shelf life
Some food items lose their nutritional value with time, while others spoil and become dangerous for consumption, so your emergency food storage list should include the below food items, they will include food items from all classes of food, which ensures that you get all necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Honey: This is at the top of your long-term food storage list and honey almost never goes bad.
It can last for a really long time. In fact, there are tales of 3,000-year-old honey found stored in jars in an Egyptian tomb and the honey was still found safe for consumption. Honey has a low moisture content, which makes it an unfriendly environment for micro-organisms.
Salt: There is no expiry date for salt as its shelf life is indefinite.
Salt is used for a lot of things apart from cooking. It can be used as a preservative, for curing meat and for medicinal uses.
Powdered Milk: During any sort of natural disaster, there is a big chance that the electricity might go out, so any chances of saving your liquid milk go out the window.
Powdered milk has a long shelf life as long as it is stored properly in airtight containers.
Whole Grain Rice: Rice is a great source of carbohydrate which stores pretty well, this staple item has been said to last over 30 years if stored properly.
Sugar: Just like salt, sugar has no expiry date, it can last a long time but like most
seasonings, they lose their taste over time. They are best stored in dry, airtight containers.
Dried Meat: Dried meat or jerky has proven to be a long-term survival food as it was used by American pioneers and other tribes around the world.
The dried jerky can last a long time and can be used in making soups as well as eating it on its own.
Dried Corn: Fresh corn has a short lifespan but if corn is properly dried and protected from water; it can last for a long time.
There are so many uses for the staple food that it is a necessary addition to your list of best non-perishable food for an emergency.
Dried Beans: They are a good source of protein and have a shelf life of about 30 years.
The difference between this kind of beans and normal beans is that you have to soak them in water for several hours to soften it before it can be made ready to eat.
Dried Fruits: You will not lose out on your source of nutrients and vitamins gotten from fruits with this food item.
Drying the fruits is a good way to preserve them and when they are properly packaged, they will last for some years.
Canned Fish: Oily fish like Salmon and Tuna are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are healthy.
I like canned fish because the shelf life is about 2-3 year at least
Bottled Water: Let us not forget the most important of them all, bottled water.
You need to stock up on bottles of water just in case the water sources get contaminated. And as water never really goes bad, let’s just say that it will last for a very long time.
Simple Guide on How to Store your Long-term Food Storage List
Most of these food items will be a great addition to your survival kit but what makes them last as long as you need is the way they are packaged.
It would be wise to invest in some well-sealed plastic containers which will help keep the food items safe from mildew.
Also, another very important thing to note is where you store them. It is important that they are stored in a dry place at a cool temperature but not freezing. Space needs to be dark as well as sunlight will raise temperatures.
It is important to note that long-term food storage needs proper planning and consideration if not the purpose of stocking them will be defeated when the food becomes inedible.
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