Long-term food storage is something you need to give some thought to if you want to ensure your family has what it needs in case of an emergency since United States has been experiencing food shortages.
Rotating your food supply ensures that everything you have in storage is safe to eat and maintains the most nutrients possible when the time comes to consume it.
While some foods may be able to be stored indefinitely, rotating your supply will eliminate waste and will allow you to use some of what you have stored on a regular basis.
Download our free Preparedness Checklist today and get started! With our easy-to-follow guide, you'll be able to keep your food supply fresh, and rotation will become a breeze!
1. Dry Foods
Dried foods can be stored for several years like storing flour long term, but to ensure they maintain the freshest possible quality in terms of taste and nutrition, gradually work through your rotation of dried foods like beans, flour, sugar, and oats, every two to three years.
Take a package out every few months and place it in your pantry for use with your day-to-day menus.
Always keep each package marked with the date the item was placed in storage.
2. Freeze Dried Foods
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Freeze dried foods, like some of the foods Valley Food Storage offers, are able to remain in storage for several years. In fact, 25 year shelf life foods need to be a staple of your food storage.
Always write the date the package was placed in storage on the label so you know how long it has been there.
Freeze dried foods will retain their nutrients much longer than other types of foods and don't have to be rotated as often.
3. Dehydrated Foods
Dehydrated foods that are vacuum sealed can be stored for many years.
If it is food that you have dehydrated and prepared yourself, you should rotate your stock every three to five years.
This will ensure there is no mold or rancid fats, especially in foods like jerky or other types of dried meat.
Date each package and when it's time for rotation start incorporating the foods into your day to day meals.
Do you know how to rotate the top 4 items in your food supply? Download our free preparedness checklist today.
4. Canned Foods
Canned foodstend to have a much shorter shelf-life than other types of stored food. This is especially true if you have canned them yourself.
Canned foods should be rotated every one to three years for safety's sake.
Canned soups and vegetables, such as those bought in the grocery store, have an expiration date printed on the label.
Start to rotate these types of foods as the expiration date comes near.
Conclusion - Rotating Your Food Supply
Learning proper food rotation isn't difficult. Buy a calendar and place it in your pantry.
Choose specific dates to start rotating your food supply.
This will ensure that all of your food is rotated in a timely fashion and that your family has the freshest fare to choose from in an emergency.
Valley Food Storage offers a wide range of natural and great-tasting freeze dried food options, along with the expertise to help you build your emergency food storage which is very important in preparing for emergencies.
