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Food Storage...Which is Best for Long Term??
Freeze dried food is without a doubt, one of the best methods for food storage, as the shelf life is so much longer on it.
One of the advantages of either freeze drying food yourself, or purchasing it from a company like Mountain House Foods, for instance, is that it has a shelf life of at least 7 years... and if it is vacuum packed into #10 cans, then it can have a shelf life of up to 30 years!
Freeze-dried foods are easy to prepare... just add hot water...wait 10 minutes...and eat. If a heat source is not available, room temperature or cold water can be used, too.
Because no cooking is needed, the freeze-dried foods require much less water and fuel than most fresh, frozen or dehydrated foods which can come in really handy if you are not in a position to make a fire or don't have plenty of water.
What About Canned Food Storage?
It depends on the canning process, but if you buy canned food that has been nitrogen packed and professionally processed, your canned goods will also have a shelf life of about 30 years.
The nitrogen packed process is a time consuming and slightly more costly process … but well worth it. It is the same process mandated by the U.S. Military for the companies that process their canned foods.
HOME Canned Food Storage
...which is what I do mostly, it usually has a shelf life of only a few years. That is perfect for those that are doing their own gardening as you can replace those empty shelves every few years!
I usually just use a simple hot water bath process for most of my canning, but pressure canning is best for most meats if you have a pressure canner.
Learn more about canning your own food ...growing sprouts...dehydrating and storing food at StoreItFoods.com plus find many specialty appliances to make it easier and more efficient!
Gardening is a Great Way for Food Storage
Many folks are returning to harvesting their own vegetables and storing them. I would suggest buying non-hybrid garden seeds as you will be able to plant your own garden year after year without ever having to purchase more seeds.
I always store my seeds in a cool dark place for the next year and then when I am ready to plant again, I like to place the seeds in a damp cloth to get them sprouted first before planting.
That way you don't have to keep guessing if they will come up or not! Once they are sprouted, simply plant them, just as you would if they were dry.
Here are some tips for you if you think you simply can not afford to stockpile foods..
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