Vigilant Preparedness
November 8, 2025
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.~John F Kennedy
Now-a-days, more and more people are realizing that stocking up on provisions (just in case) is a good idea, which poses the question,
What are the best foods to stockpile?It's an important question, since without proper supplies, it may be tough to withstand a crisis situation.
When it comes to food, we have a few things to consider:
- What if there is a power outage and the fridge, freezer and stove don't work?
- What types of foods are shelf stable for extended periods of time?
- Which foods give us the most nutritional value?
One thing to keep in mind when making food prep choices, is the more a food is processed, the shorter its life span. In other words, they won't be good choices for long-term storage. This knocks out most snack items, that are often packaged to be eaten within a few months. Without a backup system if the power goes out - store bought eggs, bread, dairy items, meat, frozen meals and anything else that requires refrigeration or a freezer, will obviously spoil quickly. So what we need to focus on is storing nutritious staple foods that can keep for a long time. This means we will be making most meals from scratch.
Here is my (just in case) staple foods list:
- Rice - Long grain rice stores very well, is filling and is an ideal source of carbohydrates.
- Pasta - High in carbs, stores long-term and can be made into a variety of dishes.
- Flour - The best way to store flour long term is by freezing it or putting it in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. With flour we can make breads, tortillas, desserts, pancakes and other baked goods.
- Salt - My preference is Redmonds brand. Salt is the main ingredient for food preservation. It makes everything taste better, and adding a pinch of Redmonds salt in drinking water gives us an abundance of essential minerals. Salt can last indefinitely when stored properly in a cool, dry place.
- Spices - I like buying my favorite spices in bulk, which is less expensive and ensures I won't run out. Like salt, spices can turn bland foods into delicious ones. Whole spices like peppercorns and cinnamon sticks, store well for up to 4 years. The shelf life of ground spices, like garlic and onion, is 2-4 years. Dried herbs, like basil and oregeno, will last between 1-3 years.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda - These are shelf stable, essential ingredients for baking breads, cakes and other treats. If not using a sourdough starter, yeast is another leavening agent must-have to keep on hand.
- Raw Cane Sugar - Essential ingredient for baking and making jams. Super long storage life when stored properly. Tip: Keep a bottle of blackstrap mollasses on hand as well, for making brown sugar.
- Honey - Honey keeps forever without spoiling. It is a natural perservative and sweetner and a must-have on the pantry shelf.
- Cooking Oils - This is one a lot of people forget about. We need oil to cook most foods, so keep a good stock of cooking oils, like olive, avocado and coconut, on hand. Another great alternative is beef tallow.
- Butter - Butter can be preserved long-term (up to 5 years) by canning it using a pressure canner. It can also be frozen.
- Beans - Nutritious and a great source of protein. Beans keep well long-term.
- Canned meats - Chicken and kippers are my top favorites for canned protein. There are of course others, like tuna, sardines, spam and salmon.
- Beef Sticks, Summer Sausage, Pepperoni, Jerky - More protein! Cured meats are typically vacuum sealed, making them ideal for long-term storage.
- Cheese - Again major protein! Triple dipping cheese in wax, makes an airtight seal that will keep cheese preserved for many years. Note: if mold forms on the outside, the cheese is still good.
- Canned Foods - Vegetables and soups provide essential vitamins and are very shelf stable. Cream of mushroom soup specifically can be prepared with rice or noodles. Add a can of chicken to the mix for easy tasty meals.
- Coconut cream & milk - Canned coconut cream and milk will come in real handy for baking and provides essential nutrients like vitamin C, iron, potassium and magnesium, plus they're lactose free.
- Tomato Sauce & Paste - Canned tomato sauce and tomato paste are the main ingredients for making spaghetti sauce, catsup, pizza sauce, marinara, etc. Just add seasonings. These are major staple foods that will keep long-term.
- Peanut Butter - Not only is peanut butter a great comfort food, it is rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, carbs and more. Stock up on brands with only one simple ingredient - organic peanuts!
- Nuts & Seeds - Nuts and seeds like cashews, pumpkin seeds and almonds are all good sources of protein and fat, with lengthy shelf lives.
- Fruit - Keeping an inventory of canned, frozen and dried fruits, like raisins, applesauce, mandarins, pickles, berries and pineapples, will come in handy when fresh fruits are unattainable.
- Sweets - Hard candies keep for years provided they are shielded from moisture. Chocolate chips can be refrigerated or frozen, and are another great staple to stock up on, for baking or to satisfy a sweet tooth. Check out my simple chocolate nut clusters recipe!
- Coffee & Tea - A vital staple for many people. Teas and ground coffee will last a long time in the pantry.
- Other Beverages - Don't forget clean water (and/or a water purifier)! Now this is more of a comfort thing than it is essential, but I like to have a few cases of quality (non-chemical) rootbeer in my pantry, too.
Vigilant preparedness means being aware and well-equipped for just about anything. When it comes to lasting sustainability, we need provisions that safeguard our well-being, and a variety of key foods for sustenance. Before going out and buying haphazardly, plan ahead. Decide exactly what foods are most essential, and how much of each are needed. Watch for sales and buy in bulk to save money. Start with a few weeks supply and build from there. This will ensure we're always prepped and ready (just in case).