I'm about six months behind
(plus some) in my progress of pretty much everything I had planned to do this
year. That's completely okay, but one of
the things I've decided to get back to work on is my prepper pantry. We've managed to maintain it pretty well this
year, mainly because we haven't had the need to dig into it much, but with retirement
looming up ahead it is time to really think about what direction I want this
prepper pantry to go in. And I've
decided I want it to go in the direction that will best serve me in my
retirement years.
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| Before you decide on anything make sure you read the ingredients list |
I've long thought it
would be really good to add some freeze dried options for even longer term food
storage. Freeze dried foods can last up
to twenty five years until they are opened and have a good long shelf life even
once they are open. I did quite a bit of
dehydrating last year and I love that I can put away dried foods in a much
smaller space with a good long shelf life.
Meats, however are one of those items I feel would best serve me long term
if they are freeze dried. You get a lot
of food in a #10 size can of freeze dried meat, or vegetables, or pretty much
anything for that matter, so again you can pack a lot of servings into a much
smaller space. The #10 cans are
expensive, but when you look at the number of servings inside they are much
more economical than the smaller cans and the pouches. I just want the basics - diced chicken, diced
beef and ground beef. I think that would
be perfect to add to the other things I already have in my prepper pantry for
good meal preparation and no need for a lot of space or any refrigeration (such
as in a motorhome).
This year I was hoping to add some cans of freeze dried meat so that by the end of the year I would have two cans
of each of the meat options I want. Then once
that was complete I would re-evaluate where I am to see if I want to add more or some other items altogether. I've shopped
around online quite a bit and will be placing my first order with a company with the best price and they offered free shipping. And they have what I want in
stock. After all the pandemic shopping a
lot of companies are still struggling to keep up with demand. Plus they use PayPal. In order to get "caught up" a bit I was able to place an order for four #10 cans of freeze dried meat - ground beef, diced beef, diced chicken and because of the discount they offered me for purchasing three cans I added ground sausage. It ended up being just over $100 for all of it making one of the cans essentially FREE. You all know how much I like FREE groceries! The other three cans averaged less than $37 each which, if you've priced freeze dried foods ever, is a screaming good deal!!
Are any of you working on
a prepper pantry? Are you adding,
changing, expanding or rethinking anything you've done so far? I'd love to hear about what you are doing.
I'm curious of the shelf life of a large can like that once it is opened. That would be my worry with such a large can.
ReplyDeleteThey say it is good up to one year. But I'm thinking that if I divide it up and vacuum seal it I'd be fine. Otherwise I'd be worried about moisture getting to it. I'll let you know how it goes. :)
DeleteI took a flyer from your example some months back, and ordered jars of dried sour cream, cheese mix, etc. (My mom gets dried milk, which she gives to us, and I'd already ordered cans of Danish butter.) We are big fans of corned beef hash -- so when it went on special on Amazon, I got a dozen of those, as well. I have been buying a few cans every now and then of corned beef and beef strips, as well as canned chicken, on the same principle.
ReplyDeleteThese last a LOT longer than the cans imply. I found some canned chicken I'd gotten at least 5 years ago and misplaced...still tasted great!
Your prices sound very good. The best place, though, that I've found really good deals is Amazon Warehouse Deals. If you stop by and check this area regularly, they will often have something in the "canned, jarred, packaged meals" area, especially, like the 'taco stretch' mix I just got for $16 and change -- it's more than double that on Amazon's retail:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJS7WJY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also buy many imported items and specialty sauces, breakfast bars, candy, snacks and Christmas presents this way. I even bought brewing equipment for our son's birthday. And it's usually 50-75% cheaper than Amazon's regular prices.
Any of this long-term storage food can last for years longer. The only problem with Warehouse Deals: there are usually only one or two available. The good stuff goes FAST, but the free shipping option applies for these items, too, if you don't have Amazon Prime.
I will check this out! Thanks Cindy.
DeleteHow do you envision your pantry if you’ll be living in Laverne?
ReplyDeleteA combination - climate controlled storage unit & the pantry in the RV itself. As I get closer I'll share more about this. Still working out the fine details.
DeleteP.S. Don't forget your spices! I have a funny feeling that salt (and pepper too, secondarily) will become scarce. Besides, salt can be used to preserve fresh meat. I also keep extra garlic, taco seasoning, seasoning salt, hot sauce and soy sauce, for the same reason -- keep track of dates, then cycle them, so nothing gets stale. (Peanut butter will get stale after a year -- but the dogs still liked it, fortunately. I messed up on that one.)
ReplyDeleteDo you ever read THE PRUDENT HOMEMAKER? She has your kind of monthly budget -- but feeds at least 10 people on that amount. (IF they have income for that month -- husband is in real estate in Las Vegas, which tanks periodically.) She keeps at least a two-year pantry:
https://theprudenthomemaker.com/living-on-our-food-storage/
I have plenty of salt plus spices & seasoning packets, condiments too. I do have plans to add more though.
Deletehttp://thriftymominboise.blogspot.com/2021/01/our-prepper-pantry.html
Cindy, thriftymominboise used to be a regular commenter on The Prudent Homemaker many years ago, if my memory is right. I believe that's how I found her blog!
DeleteJenn in Indiana
I still follow her too. She amazes me!
DeleteI bought a packet of Ova Eggs at an exorbitant price. I want to scramble enough to make two eggs to see how they are. I have had them for several months and have not done what I wanted. I also have a little experiment which will test these eggs, too. I love eggs and need them! I will post when I ever do my little experiment.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, please let me know how that turns out. :)
DeleteI’ve had this unsettling feeling lately, that we all need to prepare. Yesterday I did a little grocery shopping at a popular grocery store and noticed a lot of empty shelves. I’m going to check out the link you provided.
ReplyDeleteI've had that nagging feeling myself lately. I'd much rather have it and not need it, then the opposite. I'm really excited about getting this.
DeleteI've kept a deep pantry for my entire married life but especially so since Annabelle (from The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm) encouraged us back several years ago. We raise our own beef and get a hog & chickens annually. I can our garden produce. I have 2+ bags of wheat berries in storage. I have caselots of beans and other tomato products. I just got 2 lugs of peaches to can. I am planning to get a pressure canner to can meat. I have shelf-stable milk and dry milk. I ordered extra yeast last year, it's in the freezer. I live near a family-owned dairy so if they keep going, I can get milk. I want to get a cheese making kit to try it and then keep the rennet on hand to make cheese if needed. I have a year's supply of laundry soap on hand. We keep at least several month's supply of personal care products on hand.
ReplyDeleteWater is something I need to do better at keeping on hand or save up to get a Big Berkley.