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.
The butter & cheese are great, we bought a case of each a few years ago and tried a can of each. Very high quality, and the cheese melts great on a grilled cheese sandwich.
I have not heard of the Bridgeford.... sounds interesting.
I have heard good things about the keystone meats, but haven't bought any. I hear they are harder to find now and the price is skyrocketing. I started canning my own meat a few years ago and it is so good! I highly recommend pressure canning your own, if you can. You can save a lot of money and you know exactly what's in it. I have done chicken breasts, pork shoulder, pork sausage, a lean beef roast, beef brisket (my absolute favorite), hamburger, meatloaf, and deer. Meat is probably the easiest thing to can (imho), it takes a long time (90 minutes at pressure for quarts, 75 for pints), but you literally stuff chunks of raw meat in a jar with salt (optional), put a lid on it and process it.
Canning your own meat is an important skill to learn, especially if the grid goes down and you have a freezer full of meat you don't want to lose or you have to kill what you eat and need to preserve it.
Bridgford is the primary supplier for the US Army First Strike Ration.
There's a variety of meat sandwiches and desserts like cinnamon buns, french toast and turnovers with apple, cherry and blueberry filling. Ready to Eat hot or cold. They also have shelf stable pizza!
Best by dates are 3-years at 80 degrees, I've eaten 8 year old ones stored at 60.
I really need to kick my lazy A$$ and try canning.