The One-Year Pantry, Layer by Layer

When planning for emergencies, layering is an ever-constant theme. I often emphasize when one begins to prepare that you start simply by preparing for small-scale emergencies, and then slowly begin adding onto those existing preps to create a longer-term preparedness supply. These emergency layers help you create a reliable foundation, and the same layering approach can be used when creating a food storage pantry.

There are some emergency food considerations to keep in mind:

• The number of people in the household.
• Have a good amount of food varieties to reduce food fatigue.
• The serving size of the food.
• Vitamin content in the food.
• The expiration date or “best if used by” labels on the food.
• Special health conditions for family members.

Additionally, these essential food pantry rules can come in handy when you decide on which food to purchase.

Your Food Storage Layers

Layer 1 (0- 72-hours) – At the onset of an emergency and the days following a disaster, the first food to go should be from the refrigerator. Keep in mind that refrigerated food will stay cold for four to six hours, assuming the door is left closed as much as possible. In a fully stocked freezer, foods remain safely frozen for approximately two days if the door stays closed. You want to use up your perishable foods first and then begin preparing your foods that are frozen. Plan meals to meet a 1500-2000 calorie diet that is high in nutrients. Having frozen ice packs to put in the refrigerator can help keep the refrigerator at a safe temperature and extend the life of your food a little longer. These ice packs are very durable and great for long term use. Once the perishable food has been consumed, it’s time to move onto the second layer of your emergency preps. A word of advice – have an ample supply of water on hand!

Layer 2 (4-30 days) – These emergency foods should consist of “just add water” meals or meals that do not require substantial amounts of water, fuel, or preparation time. Having some canned, pre-packaged dinners, or meals that are “ready to eat” during emergency scenarios will help you begin acclimating yourself to cooking in a grid-down scenario as well as to help provide some comfort at the same time.

Keep your family’s preferences in mind, as well as, any existing health conditions and food allergies when preparing this food storage layer. Another thought to keep in mind is that a large amount of water will be needed to rehydrate some of these meals. Have a large amount of water stored or a means to filter water during an emergency.

Layer 3  (31-99 days) – I have often said that our preps are our lifeline. The items we choose should be able to carry us, not only through difficult times but perhaps through impossible times as well. This layer of pantry foods should consist of versatile and multipurpose everyday pantry items. These foods are relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire. Keep the food storage shelf lives in mind and regularly rotate these items in order to maintain a fresh food source. Further, having a fresh source of vitamins will help your body thrive during an emergency. Consider storing a supply of seeds for sprouting – they are cheap, easy to store, and require minimal amounts of time for growth.

For those who are preparing for longer-term or extended emergencies, at a minimum, you should have a 3 month supply of food and build it up to a 6 month supply. This will be the beginning of your long term food source, and re-packaging these food sources into more durable containers or packages will keep your food’s enemies away. Further, it is a good idea to begin storing large quantities of foods that have extremely long shelf lives.

For a list of the 11 emergency foods items than can last a lifetime, click here.

Another method of bulking up on foods with long shelf lives is to invest in freeze-dried foods. These preserved foods have a shelf life of 20+ years! All you need to do is add hot water and voila!

Some foods to consider for long term storage are:

• Carbohydrates: white rice, pasta, wheat, oats, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, sugars, honey, fruits, roots and tubers (cook these well) and cereals. For those with wheat allergies, click here.
• Proteins: legumes, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, canned meats and fish, oatmeal, grains, wheat, quinoa, seeds, MREs, popcorn
• Fats: whole milk, ensure, peanut butter, oil (preferably plant based oils), nuts and seeds
• Vitamins and Nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin powders, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, seeds to grow vegetables and for sprouting, survival bars 

Layer 4 (100-365 days+) –  If you find yourself in an emergency for over 100 days, it’s time to get real about the situation you have found yourself in. You must assume this could be your new reality. That said it is time to take steps toward long-term survival. Having an understanding of essential skills, homesteading and gardening/farming concepts and learning ways to sustain yourself for the long term is of the utmost importance.

Micro livestock is a group of hearty animals that will help you make the most of smaller pieces of land. To read the pros and cons of this livestock choice, click here.  For those in suburban dwellings, consider chickens, rabbits, and fish stored in aquaponic for a long-term food source.

As a prepper preparing for long term emergencies, you want to continue storing up foods mentioned in the last layer and add freeze-dried or dehydrated foods to your stockpile. Given that you are preparing for an extended or long term emergency means that you will also need to begin looking at ways to prepare or preserve food sources off the grid. Learning how to can dehydrate, and ferment foods will help you maintain your food supply. Moreover, to prevent malnutrition, you will want to concentrate on accruing essential food sources such as carbohydrates, protein sources, fats, and essential vitamins and nutrients (see above list of food considerations).

During an emergency, we are often left to fend for ourselves. Having an ample supply of emergency foods can help your family thrive during the most difficult of times. Take the time now to learn how to make the most of your food supply, learn pertinent skills and the importance of balanced diets, and the lasting effects nutritious food has on our body because when emergencies occur, we will need this knowledge the most.