Best Foods to Stockpile for Long-Term Emergencies?

[TeaTimeTalisman]

With the way things are headed lately, I've been working on rotating and expanding my food stores. I try to focus on foods that have a really long shelf life, are calorie-dense, and versatile enough for different kinds of meals. So far, staples like rice, beans, oats, and wheat berries are at the top of my list. I also have a good supply of dehydrated vegetables and home-canned goods from my garden, plus some freeze-dried fruits.

Curious about what others here consider essential for true long-term emergencies (thinking 6+ months, not just a couple weeks). What specific foods have held up the best for you? Do you prioritize things like powdered milk, honey, or bouillon over protein sources like canned meat or TVP?

Also, if anyone has experience storing home-dried herbs for flavor and medicinal use, I’d love to hear tips on the best methods for keeping them potent over the long haul. Looking for some new ideas and maybe things I

 

[GarnetDusk]

What specific foods have held up the best for you? Do you prioritize things like powdered milk, honey, or bouillon over protein sources like canned meat or TVP? Also, if anyone has experience storing home-dried herbs for flavor and medicinal use, I’d love to hear tips on the best methods for keeping them potent over the long haul.

Powdered milk and honey are both workhorses for me, especially since they last practically forever if kept dry and cool. Canned meats are great for protein, but I try to mix in beans and lentils too—just for the versatility and shelf life. For herbs, I’ve found vacuum sealing them in glass jars after drying keeps them surprisingly potent, even for over a year. Anyone else notice a difference between vacuum-sealed versus Mylar bag storage for herbs?