We've found the best source for long-term food storage to be the LDS stores and the LDS online store. My wife got an online account--don't have to be a Mormon. For example, whole wheat berries (hard red winter wheat) are packed in #10 cans, 6 cans to a case. Turns out to be cheaper than buying berries from Palouse in Washington, where we usually buy our wheat.
Canned goods can last 30 years or longer.

Freeze-dried foods: list your favorites and sources

MRE's: convenient; includes chemical heater. List your favorites and sources

Dehydrating your own: who still does this?

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
For example, whole wheat berries (hard red winter wheat) are packed in #10 cans, 6 cans to a case. Turns out to be cheaper than buying berries from Palouse in Washington, where we usually buy our wheat.

I went with Wheatland berries out of SE Idaho I think. They claim to be organic. Palouse was always sketchy on whether they used Roundup. So far I've been happy, but they do have some bugs. . But non GMO, and no Roundup. While annoying, I can deal with the bugs.

quote:

Dehydrating your own: who still does this?

Raises hand.

Not so much since I bought my freeze drier, but it still gets used occasionally for certain things.

A freeze drier is on my short list of really good prep items. Obviously I need to own and use it before I NEED it.

I’m working on substantial water storage first then I’ll look at food.

We did a good job this year with our first vegetables up here in WI. Would be nice to freeze dry a lot of the stuff my wife cooks as well because she always makes too much.

Freeze dried and canned food! A near future learning experience.

Frosting buckets work well.

Local grocery stores use many 2 1/2 and 5gal buckets of frosting with lids and many give them away if you ask. Clean them up, fill with rice, oats, beans, etc., add a couple oxygen absorbers and they last for years.

ER food for my family of three consists of about 2, maybe 3 months of dehydrated/ freeze dried foods from various sources. Not too glamorous but at least I bought from several different vendors to vary meals.