17 Shocking Things You Didn’t Know About Stocking Food
If you’re like most people, you probably think of stocking up on food as just getting a few extra cans of soup and some boxes of cereal. But there’s more to it than that if you want to feel prepared for emergencies. Here are 17 shocking things you didn’t know about stocking food.
In the next 30-40 days, I want to stress getting food and water stocked. Please only buy what your family will eat. Take your family to the grocery store and have them choose things they want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in non-perishable containers. If you haven’t used my “chart,” now is the time. Please give one of these to each family member and have them fill in the blanks. Where Do I Start
Stocking Food
When we talk about “stocking food,” we mean having a supply of non-perishable items and foods with a longer shelf life, often referred to as long-term food storage, for use in an emergency. This could be anything from a natural disaster to a power outage. In either case, having a stockpile of food for long-term storage that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking to make it fit for consumption can be a lifesaver.
But stocking food isn’t just about disaster survival; it’s also about being prepared for unexpected situations. For example, let’s say you have a big project due at work and know you won’t have time to go to the grocery store. Or maybe you’re snowed in and can’t get to the store. You could lose your job or be laid up for months from an accident or illness. In either case, having a well-stocked pantry or basement of easy-to-prepare food can help you avoid unhealthy (and expensive) takeout options.
So, what does it mean to stock food? It means being prepared for anything life throws your way. And that’s always a good thing.
17 Things You Didn’t Know About Stocking Food
You may know that you should be stocking food and supplies for emergencies, but here are a few things you may not know!
1. Keep Ripe Bananas Cold
Let your bananas sit at room temperature until they are ripe with plenty of spots. Then, plop them in the refrigerator. You can get an extra week out of them this way.
2. You Can Freeze Nuts
You may not know this, but you can freeze most nut varieties! This includes peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and more. Just make sure to thaw them before eating them. I believe nuts can be stored in the freezer for several months or years.
3. Butter will Last Longer if it’s Stored in the Freezer
If you desire some butter but don’t want it to go bad, store it in the freezer! Butter can last up to a year when stored this way. Just make sure to thaw it out before using it.
4. You Can Get Bread in a Can
I didn’t know this, but you can get bread in a can. Who knew? You can snatch up B&M Brown Bread right on Amazon. Canned bread can be stored for up to two years.
5. There are MREs for Dogs
Did you know that there are MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for dogs? K9 Natural Dog Food makes them and they can be stored for up to two years. They even have a shelf life of up to seven years if stored in a cool, dry place.
6. You Can Store Honey Forever
Honey is one of those magical foods that never goes bad. You can store it forever, and it will still be just as delicious as the day you put it away. Just be sure to place the honey in glass jars so that when it crystallizes, you can place it outside in the sun or to hopefully bring it back to normal consistency. Or you can place the jars in a pan filled with hot water to liquefy the honey.
7. You Shouldn’t Store Tomatoes in the Fridge
It would be best if you didn’t store tomatoes in the fridge despite what you may have been told. The cold temperature ruins the flavor. Keep them on the counter instead and try to use them in a week or ten days.
8. You Can Store Cheese in the Freezer
Cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly so that it doesn’t dry out. I don’t freeze whole chunks of cheese; they crumble too much. I freeze shredded Mozzarella, cheddar, and the Mexican blend shredded cheese.
9. Unusual Berries Come in Cans
You can find canned unusual berries at your local grocery store. These include gooseberries, huckleberries, and more. They can last for up to two years in the pantry.
10. Pumpkins Last Longer Than You Think
Pumpkins are pretty durable. They can last up to three months if stored in a cool, dry place.
11. You Shouldn’t Store Garlic in the Fridge
It would be best if you didn’t store garlic in the fridge, despite what you may have heard. The moisture will cause it to mold. Instead, please keep it in a cool, dry place.
12. You Can Freeze Your Yeast, Wheat Gluten, and Dough Enhancer
Yes, you can freeze your Saf Instant yeast, Wheat Gluten, and Dough Enhancer in the original bags or transfer the open bags to an airtight container for the freezer. Here’s the deal with dough enhancers and wheat gluten: they make your bread dough fluffy, soft, and have the best texture ever! Keeping them in the freezer helps to maintain a level of freshness you want when baking bread and pastry products.
I only learned to use these products when I taught at a Bosch store about 15-16 years ago. They are optional; you don’t need to use them, but I do almost every time I make homemade bread. When I was growing up, my mother made hard red wheat bread similar to “bricks.” We loved it but didn’t know we could have soft wheat bread.
Please note that I only buy hard white wheat (wheat berries) for my bread making. Hard red wheat has more protein, but the flavor is more potent. It’s all about personal preference.
13. You Shouldn’t Store Onions in the Fridge
It would be best if you didn’t store onions in the fridge, despite what you may have heard. The moisture will cause them to mold, much like garlic. Instead, please keep them in a cool, dry place.
14. Low Carb Pasta Comes in a Can
If you’re looking for a low-carb pasta option, you can find it in a can or a package. Palmini is one brand that makes it. You can get lasagna, linguine, and spaghetti. I’m always amazed how much volume you get from pasta noodles once they’ve been cooked in hot water. A small amount can be used to prepare a meal for the average family.
I also have a lot of pasta stored in 5-gallon buckets with gamma lids to help keep them stored longer.
15. You Can Store Milk in the Freezer
Milk can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Just make sure to thaw it out in the refrigerator before using it. You may need to put it in a larger container since liquids expand when frozen and can burst the container.
16. You Can Store Flour in the Freezer
Flour can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. This wouldn’t work because I buy 200 pounds of flour at a time. But, if you buy smaller 5-pound bags, keep the flour in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer for extended periods.
17. Get Dolmas in a Can
Dolmas are grapevine leaves filled with rice, onion, and herbs and rolled into little bundles of deliciousness. Many people enjoy them as appetizers at Mediterranean restaurants, but now you can enjoy them at home.
What Canned Foods Should I Stock?
It would be best if you were stocking food with lots of variety. You want fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, dairy, etc. The best way to do this is to create a list of all the food you eat in a week and then buy those items in canned form. This will help you make sure you have a well-rounded selection.
We have a variety of canned products. You’ll find meats like canned chicken, beef, pork, tuna, and salmon on our shelves. We also have some freeze-dried ground been I’ve been using to make beef based recipes with. Be sure to have canned veggies like corn, peas, green beens, and other vegetables your family enjoys. When it comes to canned fruits, consider peaches, apricotes, pears,
There are many great canned foods that you may not have thought about. Now, be sure to stock up so you’re prepared for anything.
What Fresh Foods Can Be Stored Long-Term?
There are quite a few fresh foods that can be stored long-term. These include potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, and apples. Just make sure to store them in a cool, dry place.
Should I Store Herbs and Spices?
Your food will taste pretty bland without some things like, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, parsley, paprika, mustard, and others. You’ll also want some sweeteners like the honey I mentioned, but also plan on pantry stocking some maple syrup. I like natural maple syrup, but you’ll pay a little more for that.
We’ve been buying peanut butter and some jams in smaller jars since there are just the two of us. They sure come in handy when you need to prep a quick lunch.
You’ll also want some baking items like baking soda and soda powder, chocolate chips of various kinds, vinegar, and sauces and dressings.
More About Stocking Food:
- 7 Reasons Why Stocking Food Is Popular
- 15 Facts About Food That Will Blow Your Mind
- 10 Awesome Facts About Canned Food
- 11 Emergency Foods That You Need
Final Thoughts
Stocking food is essential for preparing it in case of an emergency. But it’s also important to know what foods can be stored long-term and how to store them best. Did you know all of these things about stocking food? I sure didn’t! But now I do, and I’m better prepared for an emergency. What are some other things you didn’t know about stocking food? Let me know in the comments below! May God bless this world. Linda
Linda, I knew most of this but MRE’s for dogs is a new one. My dogs eat dry food I’m pretty sure would last for a couple of years anyhow (it’s grain free).
That’s definitely interesting but I’d go broke trying to feed this to my dog.
$10 a 6oz can on Amazon or $128 a 4lb bag from chewy
HI Ray, I agree, I only buy grain free for my dogs as well. Life is good with pets!! I’m so glad you got your two dogs!! Linda
Oh, my!! Loved canned brown bread with cream cheese as a kid! Great tips here especially about dough enhance and wheat gluten. Bought these per your recommendation and didn’t know how to store. FYI for novices, don’t store potatoes and onions in the same area. Our homegrown spaghetti squash lasts 9 months! I put some garlic and olive oil in magic bullet, froze in ice cube trays then transferred to freeze safe options. You may have covered this before, but pesto freezes great! I have silicone cupcake holders that are reserved for savory items. Just used November 2021 pesto last night. Yum If I’m making a big mess like pesto, I want to make and freeze what I can for quick prep meals. Our onions and potatoes are crazy plentiful this year . Creatively finding places to dry them plus chopping and freezing those that flowered.
Keep the food storage ideas coming! Thank you
Hi Marilynne, I love hearing about your spaghetti squash lasting 9 months. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Oh, I love making pesto, and I freeze it as well. Now, my mouth is watering for some!! LOL! Thank you for your kind words, my friend, Linda
We have found commercially vacuum sealed cheese lasts 18 months in the frig. My favorite is xxxx sharp cheddar and Swiss with rye. We also buy vacuum sealed chuck roasts, marinated chicken breasts and turkey drum sticks. They are easily good for 2 years in the freezer. I added the canned brown bread to this week’s shopping cart, hoping my husband likes it.. We have stored butter in original packaging for 14 months in the freezer.
Hi Chris, great comment, thank goodness we have freezers. Linda
I have a case of the brown bread. I also have a wood stove top oven that I can bake on if I have to. I hope I just eat all my food in rotation.
People seriously underestimate how much food they eat. If you have canned peaches just once a week, you will need 52 cans of them for a year. Use that to figure out what you really eat. It is a lot more than you realize.
Hi Janet, I need to try that brown bread in cans again, it’s been years. I hear you on the jars of peaches, my family would eat way more than 52 jars in a year. Great reminder on how much we need to stock! Thank you, Linda
One of the reasons I like freezing cheese is that I can crumble it into recipes afterwards instead of shredding. I use a vacuum sealer to package all kinds of things for the freezer in individual or pre-measured portions and reusable zip top bags with a vacuum port to keep my sliced home made bread in the freezer. I can remove one or two slices then vacuum the air out and put the rest back. No icky ice build up inside the bag. Covered ice cube trays are great for freezing soup cubes that you can bag up and use for a cup of broth or in another recipe. Unfortunately I don’t yet have a generator to keep the freezer working in case of power failures so I try not to rely on it too much. There are so many interesting canned foods and I’m starting to check out more dehydrated things. The vacuum sealer is handy there too as most packages are way too big for a single person living alone. Really powdery things need to be in an inner bag first to keep from clogging the machine. So much to learn but your information is always so useful and practical.
Hi Alice, thank you for your kind words, my friend. Oh, I love freezing stuff in serving sizes. The broth or soup in soup cubes is the best! Mine are all in my storage unit right now, waiting for my home to be built. I do not have a generator either, and I won’t get one because I can’t afford one. I live for today and if the power goes out I will have the biggest Barbecue on the street to share with neighbors. I have freeze-dried, dehydrated food and canned goods that will be just fine for our family. I love the vacuum sealers, they are the best!! Linda
I keep my garlic and other spices in their original containers but add a oxygen absorber in it and they will last for about two years if kept in a cool dark area. Another thing, I live in Texas and when I buy a boxed item I put them into a glass mason jar or a plastic PETE container, depending on its size with oxygen absorbers. Why? Because here we have weavils and roaches. Even if you keep a clean house those rascals will creep in somehow. I found this out the hard way. Its very discouraging to see your food stored in a tote in its boxed packaging and you have to throw it out.
Hi Judy, oh, my gosh, I am so glad you mentioned the weevils and roaches. I will add mice. You are so right, you can have the cleanest home on the block and they will still come to visit and have a buffet, uninvited! Those little rascals are such a pain. Everything I have is in mason jars, buckets, and Rubbermaid containers. You only have to have ONE ISSUE and it changes you forever. Great comment! Linda
I make my own bread in a ‘”can” by mixing my dough, let it rise and then put it into 4 greased pint jars. Let it rise just a bit and then put it in a pan with water half way up the jars. Bring to a boil for 10 min., remove and with the lid on, place it in a wonder oven for 4 hrs. Remove and empty out the bread and it is ready to eat. I have mentioned this before and will use this instead of buying the bread, It works no matter what type of bread you make.
Hi Cheryl, oh my gosh, you told me about this. My thermal cooker is in my storage unit. My home is being built. Not sure when, it’s taking forever to get permits. Thank you for the reminder!!! I need to write a post about this. I do not have a wonder bag but I can buy another thermal cooker. Thanks again, Linda
Hi Cheryl, I just ordered a different “thermal cooker” to write a post about this. Do you bake it without the lids on the jars, right? I will give you full credit for this idea, my friend. I saw it at a prepper demo, but I had forgotten about it until you and I talked via email several months ago. Great reminder, people need to know how to do this. Thank you!! Linda
No the lids are on the jars to seal the heat in and keep any extra moisture out as well. I used your wheat bread for 2 to make mine and was very happy with the results. It is nice, too if you have family members that do not like the crust on their bread. It is nice to be able to use my Butane stove to heat the water up to boiling before adding the pan with the jars on it. Be sure that the pan is deep enough to hold the jars. I add some canning rings on the bottom of the pan to keep the jars up so they do not touch the bottom. This helps circulate the hot water better when you put it in the wonder oven. A good way to make bread when the power goes out, too!!
HI Cheryl, oh gotcha!! Thank you! I will be writing a post with your instructions soon. Thank you so much. People need a Wonder Oven or a Thermal Cooker. They are so awesome! Linda
Don’t forget if you buy dog/cat dry kibble- .it can be packaged in cleaned kitty litter jugs, about 14 lbs goes in the big ones. and stored in the freezer..it extends the time before it goes rancid for the time it is in freezer. So a good way to extend the feed you do have/keep on hand.
Rotating dog kibble thru the freezer will keep weevils out of it.place a bay leaf on top,,, or add a 1.4 cup of DE to the food and shake it. DE kills larvae plus worms the dogs safely. So does giving dog pumpkin.
Also cooking oils can all be stored in the freezer, it may take them a while to thaw, after mostly thawed- do keep them in refrigerator.
Coconut oil has a shelf life of about 5 years / on shelf/by dates- so be aware of the dates on the containers as you purchase. If close to date and all that is available…just stick it in freezer, until needed.
Coconut oil replaces butter in recipes-in smaller amounts of about 1/3 volume of needed butter and water to equal entire measurement of butter.
All dry goods- powdered foods, can be stored in tightly lidded jars with oxygen absorbers./ or vacuum’d lids. celery, mushrooms can be dehydrated and powdered for quick flavor boost to dressings and soups.
Dehydrate( or freeze dry) frozen veggies… and foods that are reaching best by dates… Dehydrated veggies/meats store in less space. Mixed vegetables do very well in soups Many meals will go in quart jars when stored as ingredients. a jar of dehydrated ground beef, a jar of mixed veggies, powdered onion,mushroom and peppers (if you use them- some people can not eat them- or use certain spices) I use pints or cheese or salsa containers for mushrooms, and celery. several stalks of celery and several pounds of mushrooms will fit powdered into a pint.
Hi Denise, great idea about dehydrating or freeze drying vegetables and also making powder, love it! You are os right about dog or cat dry kibble, it will go rancid, you can smell it. Great tip to freeze it, rotate it, etc. I love buying frozen vegetables and dehydrating them, they are washed, cut and chopped! Love it! Linda
Linda it became necessary when i hurt shoulder and could no longer cut them up. i get 4 way mixed veggies in 2 lb bag,(2 of them) and add 2 lb string beans to the mix for the mix we prefer for soups. and can usually get all in my dehydrator trays.. mine has a temp setting, i set @ 160 for 3 hours.. then rotate trays, reset @ 145. run overnight. i can keep a smaller amount frozen and know i have replacement should it be requires. It saves scads of room in freezer and can save precious space for meats.- that we desire fresh./ frozen. I also make gingered carrots and process those.
i also do swt peas alone and peas and carrots together. I double seal sometimes my vacuum sealer does not quite get the air evacuated enough to maintain a seal more than 3 months.. so my answer has been to also add an oxygen absorber.It stopped my jars from opening.. and every jar can be washed, cleaned thoroughly and reused.. it only takes a few minutes to turn dehydrated veggies into powder… for celery or mushrooms. maybe 6 big stalks of celery bunches will fit in a pint once powdered.
Hi Denise, I love those mixed vegetables. So washing, cutting or chopping. I need to try my freeze dried peas, I love frozen peas so we shall see if they are as good as I hope they are. I like frozen onions over freeze-dried onions. I have a lot of both, but making powder is huge for saving space. Great tips anc an awesome comment. Linda
Linda, I know you have written about storing Chocolate before. We bought Hershey kisses, Reese Peanut butter cups, Snickers and Dove dark chocolate on sale the day after Halloween last year. We left them in their regular bags and put them in a Styrofoam cooler in the front hall closet because it is cooler. They lasted a full year. I taste tested them with new and the family guinea pigs, AKA kids and grandsons couldn’t tell the difference. I’m not lazy, just always trying to find an easier way to get things done. I DO deserve credit for making it last a full year!!
HI Chris, a cooler sounds awesome, why didn’t I think of that???? All those chocolates you buy I would buy as well! I like M & M peanuts and plain M & M’s no matter what color, it depends on the holiday sale, right??? Love dark chocolate! Linda
Ah – I just got a great deal on hamburger yesterday at the store. Since I live alone and make smaller portioned meals, I rely heavily on my vacuum sealer to extend the life of many of my food purchases. Even when I make things that make larger portions, being able to vacuum seal the extras is a great way to extend the storage of them.
For those who might be thinking they cannot afford to store food, they need to change their attitude. I have some friends who just moved to my area. He is a craftsman and until his business is up and running, they are without $$ to purchase groceries for storage. I was at the store and ran into the wife – she only had $25 to feed her family for the week! But we went around, and she spent $24.87 and had enough in her cart for the week and “left over” things like rice and pasta! She said it was really scary to not have enough money to ensure her husband and children had enough to eat! She wants to get together with me when her husband starts bringing in more money and go over how she can be prepared to feed the family without worry!
Leanne, i purchase as much ground beef as i have the money for as it goes on sale…i fully drain it,( save the tallow) rinse meat with hot water, place in a colander lined with a tea cloth. press water out and dehydrate in jerky maker. put in pints, with oxygen absorber, and vacuum seal.. A good supply for several meals will fit in a pint salsa or cheese jar.. Remember it will expand to approx 3x the amount you remove to use.. a 2 oz portion= about 6oz. when rehydrated, can use in casseroles, soups, stews by putting in with other dehydrated veggies.. they will all generally be done/rehydrated about the same time…
Good you were able to help your neighbor!
Hi Denise, I made hamburger jerky a few times, it’s really good! I have never made tallow, good job. Linda
Linda, when you crumble the hamburger, cook it in a dry skillet until it is done to dehydrate it… the fat that is in the skillet from beef is called tallow. if it has simmered enough it will have no water in it. , just strain it. and you have beef fat for what ever you need.. ( to make a rue to thicken beef stew- is one use for it)
HI Denise, this is so awesome, thanks for telling me about this. I will try it the next time I get some hamburger. Great idea, Linda
Hi Leanne, what a blessing she talked to you! It is scary when money is tight, I know I have been there. Right now we don’t buy meat, haven’t for a year. I want to save enough money to buy 1/4 beef, 1/2 if possible. FoodSaver are the best, great tips, my friends! I’m so glad your friend wants to get with your and have you help her stretch the grocery bill. Linda
Denise – I don’t buy a lot of meat in any case! But this was organic grass fed 80/20 ground beef at $2.99/pound. I bought 5 pounds and promptly divided it into 1/2 pound vacuum sealed packages for my freezer. My daughter has a freeze dryer so I am thinking she and I might get busy in the new year and cook up a bunch of her ground beef and freeze dry it. She really does want more shelf stable foods rather than rely on the grid to keep her food storage safe!!
Just a quick not about my daughter and son-in-law!! 18 years ago, they got married and my SIL thought I was NUTS for prepping long term foods (freeze dried, etc.) I could not convince them that it was insurance! Of course, living in the city where you have 24/7 grocery stores, they bought only what they needed for the week. Then they had their first child. I asked them how they would feel if SIL couldn’t work for some time due to job loss, injury preventing him from working, etc. How would they feed themselves and child? Daughter started putting up jams, applesauce and purchasing some things in greater quantity. I told them they were prepping!! LOL! Now they live on a small farm and to say that they have embraced prepping is a big deal!! They have a huge garden for putting up veggies, a small (new) orchard for a few years in the future; they raise chickens for meat and eggs, turkeys for meat and eggs, rabbits, a steer and the requisite dog, cats and a horse that was given to them. I will suggest dehydrating meat for the shorter term but the freeze dried for long term storage.
Hi Leanne, you were and are such a wonderful example to your daughter and so many other people! You rock, my sweet friend! Linda
Linda –
I want to help her do more, much more than stretch her grocery bill!! I want to get her to a place where they have food stored in the event her husband’s business doesn’t do as well as they are praying it will do. And I want her to have the peace of mind that food storage gives a person/family.
Hi Leanne, it’s a great feeling knowing they are interested in stocking up. Unless they grew up stocking food, they don’t know that is what we should all do. Peace of mind is everything. Linda