I’m going through my stores in the basement. I have a lot of food. I’ve been buying canned goods since Covid started. I look them over every so often. Occasionally, a can will leak or show signs of deterioration, but for the most part, they’re in good shape. I cycle them and constantly grab a few cans whenever I shop.

According to many websites, canned goods are okay indefinitely: “ Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.”

Hey, if we’re starving, we’re going to eat what’s down in the basement, so it’s good to know if a can of soup was “best by” a certain date it will be okay eat in an emergency.

I’ve got a lot of other stuff besides canned goods, but I figure fruits and vegetables in cans are the way to go if freezers fail.

I’ve bought enough rice and beans to last a few years and I vacuum sealed them, along with pastas, tons of flour, sugar. I also bought powdered milk, powdered butter and powdered eggs. Drink mixes too. Lots of tuna. Bread mixes. Popcorn. Freezing pounds of butter. Lots of big containers of oils. Buy spices at discount stores like Job Lots.

I ordered six pounds of fresh peaches to can. Buy mason jars early. There seemed to be a shortage last year around this time.

I have a Berkey water filter.

Ramen noodles folks! In a pinch just add hot water.

I ordered 6 battery operated lanterns. I’m getting extra propane for the grill. A huge gasoline storage bin. I’m getting a generator soon. Not enough sun where I live for solar powered.

Used books! No internet? Read!

I’m doing some container gardening and bought a ton of seeds for storage for the future. We should all buy grow lights.

I’m working on a farm this summer and they give me fresh meat to freeze in exchange for my help.

Yeast! There will be a shortage of it like there was during the early days of Covid. Stock up now. Learn how to bake bread and biscuits.

What are you stocking and storing? Tell me about your efforts. I always learn something new from you guys.