30 Year Food Storage - The Right Way

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10/4/20244 min read

How to Properly Store Food for 30 or More Years

Long-term food storage is a critical skill for those seeking self-sufficiency, disaster preparedness, or off-grid living. With proper techniques and the right supplies, it’s possible to store food for 30 years or more. This article will guide you through the detailed steps of using food-grade buckets, Mylar bags, flat irons, oxygen absorbers, and common dried staples like rice and beans, while also covering calorie requirements per person, food conversions, and estimates for survival.

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Materials You Will Need:

Food-Grade Buckets (5 or 6-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids)
Mylar Bags (size should match your bucket capacity, typically 5-gallon)
Oxygen Absorbers (2000 cc for a 5-gallon bucket)
Flat Iron or Impulse Sealer (for sealing Mylar bags)
Dry Food Staples (rice, beans, wheat, oats, etc.)
Labels and Markers (to date and identify contents)
Silica Gel Packets (Optional) (to absorb moisture)

Step-by-Step Process for Storing Food

Choose Appropriate Food for Long-Term Storage: Certain foods are more suitable for long-term storage than others. Opt for items with low moisture and fat content, as both can cause spoilage. Some great options include:
- White rice (brown rice has a shorter shelf life due to its higher oil content)
- Dried beans
- Wheat berries
- Rolled oats
- Pasta
- Dehydrated vegetables
Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure your storage area is clean, dry, and free of pests. Choose a cool, dark, and dry location for storing the buckets once they are sealed. Heat and light can degrade food quality, so aim to keep the temperature below 75°F (24°C) for best results.
Line Food-Grade Buckets with Mylar Bags: Mylar bags provide an extra barrier against oxygen, moisture, and pests. Place a 5-gallon Mylar bag inside your food-grade bucket, ensuring that the edges extend over the sides of the bucket.
Fill the Mylar Bag with Dry Food: Carefully pour your chosen dry food into the Mylar bag. Aim to fill the bag within 2-3 inches from the top. Leave enough space to close the bag later.
Conversion of Dry Food to Cooked Food:
- Rice: 1 cup of dry rice yields about 3 cups cooked.
- Beans: 1 cup of dry beans yields about 2.5 to 3 cups of cooked beans.
- Pasta: 1 cup of dry pasta generally doubles in size once cooked.
- Oats: 1 cup of dry oats yields about 2 cups cooked.
Add Oxygen Absorbers: Oxygen absorbers remove oxygen from the sealed environment, which extends the shelf life of the food. For a 5-gallon bucket, place a 2000 cc oxygen absorber inside the Mylar bag on top of the food. Make sure to reseal your oxygen absorbers quickly after opening the pack to keep them effective.
Seal the Mylar Bag: Using a flat iron (hair straightener) or impulse sealer, seal the top of the Mylar bag. Start at one end and work your way across the opening, ensuring a complete, airtight seal. Double-check for any gaps or areas that aren’t sealed.
Secure the Bucket Lid: After sealing the Mylar bag, push any excess air out of the bag before placing the lid on the bucket. Snap the lid tightly onto the bucket to create an additional protective barrier.
Label and Store: Clearly label each bucket with the contents and the date of sealing. This will help you track what you’ve stored and when it was packed. Place the bucket in your designated storage area.

Calories Required Per Person for Long-Term Survival

Caloric needs will vary depending on age, gender, and activity level. On average, an adult requires the following calorie intake:

Sedentary Adult: 1,800 to 2,200 calories per day
Moderately Active Adult: 2,200 to 2,600 calories per day
Active Adult: 2,600 to 3,000 calories per day

For long-term survival, it’s important to plan food that provides enough calories and nutrients to sustain energy levels. Most dried staples like rice and beans are calorie-dense and can form the backbone of your food storage.

White rice: 1600 calories per pound
Dried beans: 1600-1700 calories per pound
Wheat berries: 1600 calories per pound
Rolled oats: 1600 calories per pound

Estimating Food Quantities for Different Time Frames

When calculating how much dry food to store for different time frames, consider the following basic guidelines. These figures are based on a diet of 2000-2500 calories per person per day. Adjust accordingly for specific calorie needs.

1 Month Supply (1 Adult):

30 pounds of rice
20 pounds of beans
10 pounds of oats or wheat
Miscellaneous (spices, oil, salt): 5-10 pounds

3 Month Supply (1 Adult):

90 pounds of rice
60 pounds of beans
30 pounds of oats or wheat
Miscellaneous: 15-20 pounds

6 Month Supply (1 Adult):

180 pounds of rice
120 pounds of beans
60 pounds of oats or wheat
Miscellaneous: 30-40 pounds

1 Year Supply (1 Adult):

360 pounds of rice
240 pounds of beans
120 pounds of oats or wheat
Miscellaneous: 60-80 pounds

Additional Considerations

Rotation: Even though properly sealed food can last for 30+ years, it’s a good practice to rotate your food every 5-10 years to ensure quality and nutrition are maintained. Always use the oldest stock first.
Water Requirements: When planning for long-term food storage, don’t forget to calculate water needs. Cooking dried foods like rice and beans requires significant amounts of water. You’ll need about 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and cooking.
Nutrition: While rice and beans are calorie-dense and have a long shelf life, they don't cover all essential nutrients. Consider storing a variety of foods, including dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk, and vitamin supplements, to ensure a balanced diet.
Pest Control: Properly sealed Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers should protect against pests. However, for extra security, store your buckets off the ground on pallets or shelves, and regularly inspect the storage area for signs of pests.

Conclusion

By using food-grade buckets, Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and the right storage techniques, you can preserve food for 30 years or more. Dry staples like rice and beans are essential due to their long shelf life and high caloric content. Estimating food quantities based on time frames and caloric needs will ensure that you have enough food to sustain yourself during an emergency. With proper planning, you can create a reliable, long-term food storage solution for you and your family.