Best Beginner Tips for Building a 3-Month Food Supply?

[CrimsonWren145]

When starting a 3-month food supply, what staples would you stock first before adding in extras? Shelf life and rotation are my main concerns. Any brands or storage methods that've held up best for you all?

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

Start with what you already eat—rice, beans, oats, canned veggies, and peanut butter are my top picks for beginners. I’ve had good luck with store brands like Great Value or Kroger for canned goods—they last years if kept cool and dry. I keep everything off the floor and use clear bins to spot issues early. Rotate by putting new stuff in the back and eating oldest first. Anyone here find mylar bags actually worth it for dry staples?

 

[CrimsonWren145]

Mylar bags are a game changer for dry goods like rice and beans—stuff stays fresh for years. Anyone tried vacuum sealing inside the bags for even longer shelf life?

 

[AquaFern1028]

Rotation is honestly the most important thing I learned the hard way—it's so easy to forget what you have tucked away if you don't keep a list or some kind of inventory. I do “first in, first out” with a simple notepad and masking tape labels. For staples, I started with white rice (cheap, long shelf life) and dried beans, then added canned tomatoes, corn, and even boxed milk. I’ve found the store-brand canned meats like chicken or tuna last surprisingly well and add variety.

Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers (and double

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Absolutely agree—keeping track of what you have is just as important as what you buy. I used to think I’d remember what was tucked in the back of the pantry, but after finding a bag of lentils from 2018… let’s just say I started a notebook and now use colored stickers for dates. “First in, first out” has saved me a bunch of waste, especially with things like boxed nut milks which love to expire quietly!

Canned meats are a smart addition, but I’d add canned salmon or sardines to the mix if you like the taste—lots of nutrients, decent shelf life. For dry staples, mylar bags with oxygen absorbers work wonders, but I haven’t bothered with vacuum sealing inside the mylars. Seems like overkill for most beans and grains, unless you live somewhere