Since we’re living in modern times, many of us have the luxury to simply go to the grocery store whenever we’re in need of supplies. But what do we do in the case of potential emergencies that could happen, like losing your job, a natural disaster or an economic collapse? How prepared should you be for this, and which are the correct things to stockpile ahead of time in case you find yourself in exactly such a situation?
There’s a lot of questions sometimes surrounding this and how to best go about ensuring a secure food source for your family. Today we’ll be sharing 30 things to stockpile in case of something like that happening.
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20 Things To Stockpile When S#*t Hits The Fan
While some things will immediately come to mind when you think of things to stockpile, you might forget about some essential items in the midst of chaos. You want to ensure you have a healthy mix of necessary staples coupled with some indulgent treats.
So if you’re wondering what to buy and stockpile, we’ve put together a list of the things we would go for first. And while everyone would probably have their own personal list of things they would buy, feel free to use this list as guidance and inspiration to create your own list.
1. Water
Probably one of the most obvious, but you’ll be in big trouble if for some reason you lose access to water. In the case of a natural disaster, many things could happen that could interrupt water supply.
Stockpiling water is never a bad idea as you need it for drinking, washing, cleaning and many other purposes. You can buy bottled water for drinking water or you could stockpile it yourself by storing it in large containers.
2. Flour
As you know, flour is a staple in our modern diet and offers you more variety. Eating canned food can get boring quickly, but with flour you can add some more options to your diet, like baking bread or muffins, and you can also use it as a thickener in sauces and such.
3. Sugar & Molasses
Just like with flour, sugar can keep things interesting and provide some variety and help with your baking needs. It’s also an easy source of glucose (energy), which your brain requires to function. So don’t let everyone tell you sugar is always bad!
4. Salt
There are tons of reasons why you would want to stockpile salt. Salt can be used for so many things, including seasoning of foods, food preservation, curing meat, as a disinfectant, and so many more.
5. Pasta/Rice/Noodles
This will probably be most people’s staple food during an emergency. Not only because it has a long shelf life, but also because it’s cheap, you can buy it in bulk easily, and most importantly, it actually tastes good!
6. Canned goods
Canned goods are probably a no-brainer. In case of an emergency, you want to stock up on canned fruit, canned fish and meat, canned veggies and other canned goods. Why? Because they stay good almost forever and won’t spoil. You can store them in your pantry for years and years without them going bad. You also get a wide variety of canned goods so there’s sure to be something everyone in your family will enjoy.
7. Bars
Things like cereal bars, protein bars and granola bars are also a good idea to stock up on. Not only are they small and won’t take up a lot of space, but those tiny bars can also pack a lot of nutrition and energy, which is what you want when you don’t have easy access to a grocery store.
8. Oatmeal
There’s a reason why this is a popular camping food. All you need is to add some hot water and you’ve got a nutritious and warm meal. Aside from a warm breakfast, it can also be used to stretch other food and make it go further. You can add it to meat or beans to make burgers or mix it in with bread recipes.
9. Honey
Honey is great as a sweetener in tea or cooking ingredient, and it never goes bad. Its also antibacterial and a natural preservative and immune system booster. You can use honey as an alternative to sugar but it’s not a bad idea to stock up on both.
10. Powdered Milk
While it may not taste as good as fresh milk, its a good source of protein and fats which you will need in a survival situation. It’s also easier to store than fresh milk as you don’t need a refrigerator.
11. Nuts & Seeds
Having some nuts and seeds and/or trail mix on hand is a great way to add some quick protein to your diet without having to cook anything. They also go well with other meals, such as in bread or atop cereals.
12. Jerky & Dehydrated Meat
Another great source of protein and an easy snack, which you can store for long periods of time without in going bad. You can make your own jerky in a dehydrator, the oven or even over a fire.
13. Baking Soda
Baking soda has all sorts of uses, from being a good natural cleaner and deodorizer to being used in recipes. Since it’s also very cheap, it’s definitely worth stocking up on.
14. Cereal
Many people are already used to eating cereal for breakfast, but they’re also a dry food you can store easily. Most cereals will also provide a lot of energy and contain a big part of your daily vitamin requirements.
15. Potatoes
Potatoes is one of the longer lasting veggies you can stock up on. You can also freeze them or dehydrate them. They also cheap, extremely filling and super easy to prepare.
16. Tea & Coffee
Having tea and coffee available during an emergency situation can just make your life a bit easier. Some people already have a hard time going through a normal day without their daily dose of tea or coffee, so having this on hand will make a tough time a little better.
17. Spices & Seasonings
It’s also a good idea to stock up on your favorite spices, herbs and seasonings. It’s a great way to add flavor to your food and can help you from becoming bored with your meals.
18. Beans
Whether you get dried beans or canned beans, they’re an excellent source of protein and can fill you up quite nicely. They’re also a great source of fiber and make for a tasty side meal. Plus, you can also have some variety with all the different beans to choose from, such as black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, red beans etc.
19. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit are not only a source of energy, but also a tasty snack you can enjoy. And while store bought dried fruit can be quite pricey, you can make it yourself at home easily and store it for later use.
20. Crackers or Popcorn
Having a snack like crackers or popcorn on hand during a survival situation can add some comfort and a sense of normalcy. You can also enjoy them with other meals, for example crackers can go great with soup.
Pin these things to stockpile post for later!
So go fill up your pantry and fridge with some of these foods and items, you really never know when you might truly need it.
Let us know what you think and which items you would stockpile first. Also remember to share this post so others can also find it.
