Food supplies, foods and provisions to always keep in the pantry

Food supplies are an often overlooked necessity until faced with emergency situations. In fact, humans can survive about three weeks without food, but only three days without liquids. This reality highlights how crucial it is to be prepared, especially in times like ours, where we find ourselves facing pandemics and climate disasters unthinkable just a few years ago, and above all, the never-ending fear of global war.

In the event of prolonged emergencies, there could be a risk of not importing essential products such as meat, milk, and cereals. For this reason, experts recommend keeping enough supplies at home to ensure a daily diet of approximately 2,200 kcal per person.

According to the guidelines, each individual should have at least 9 liters of drinking water for three days, as well as specific quantities of food such as 3.5 kg of grain products, 2.5 kg of dried fruit, and 4 kg of vegetables and fruit.

So, what should you buy to stock up on food? How should you organize it properly? What other essentials should you keep at home? Here’s the complete guide to preparing and managing emergency food supplies, ensuring peace of mind and independence in any unexpected situation.

Why is it important to have food stocks?

In an increasingly uncertain world, food stocks are no longer an option but a concrete necessity. Recent events have changed the global perception of emergency preparedness, making it essential to understand why we should all have a well-stocked pantry.

Unexpected Emergencies: War, Blackouts, Natural Disasters

Natural disasters, power outages, and even pandemics can strike without warning, disrupting supply chains and making access to food difficult. Recent, tangible events like the general blackout that affected Spain, Portugal, and parts of France have highlighted the importance of preparedness.

The European Commission recently provided guidelines to citizens for dealing with critical situations such as war, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. This strategy is based on a clear principle: in the first 72 hours of a crisis, emergency services may not be able to respond everywhere. During these times, having emergency food supplies can make the difference between panic and peace of mind.

Self-protection and personal responsibility
In emergencies and disaster situations, we may find ourselves temporarily isolated. What happens, for example, when floods, landslides, or heavy snowfalls block roads and make it impossible to supply stores?

In these cases, self-protection and personal responsibility play a crucial role. Those who take the right precautions for themselves and their families can more calmly navigate the critical phase until help arrives. Indeed, whenever an emergency occurs, the first visible effect is crowded supermarkets and a rush for basic necessities. Having a buffer stock allows us to avoid the rush and risks associated with moments of collective panic.

How long should our supplies last
The question arises: how long should our food supplies last in an emergency? Recommendations vary:

• The European Commission and FEMA recommend having water, food, and medicine supplies to last at least three days;
• The Red Cross recommends a three-day supply of food and water for each person in the household;
• A basic household supply should include enough food for a week;
• For long-term emergencies, it is advisable to consider food that will last from one month to one year.

Some sources suggest that each pantry should be equipped to support a family’s consumption for more than 6 months. However, the important thing is to start gradually, without straining the family finances.

Maintaining adequate food supplies isn’t about being alarmist, but rather about being responsible and wisely preparing for any eventuality, ensuring peace of mind and safety for your family.

What to buy to stock up on food

Building adequate food supplies begins with strategically selecting the right products. It’s essential to choose foods that combine long shelf life, nutritional value, and convenience.

Shelf-stable foods: pasta, rice, legumes
The foundation of any emergency pantry should include foods rich in carbohydrates and plant-based proteins. Pasta and rice are essential, with a shelf life of 2-3 years if stored properly in a dry, dark place. To optimize space, consider more compact shapes like spaghetti.

Dried legumes are an excellent source of protein with a shelf life of up to 30 years if stored properly. Chickpeas, lentils, and borlotti beans, both dried and canned, provide nutritional variety in the emergency diet.

Ready-to-eat foods: canned food, dried fruit
In critical situations, foods that require no cooking are invaluable. Canned foods such as tuna, sardines, and vegetables offer immediately available nutrients.

Dried fruit and Nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) provide concentrated energy and healthy fats, ideal as energy-boosting snacks. A mix of these foods ensures essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals even in the absence of fresh produce.

Essential beverages: water, juice, UHT milk
Water remains the top priority: 9 liters per person is recommended for three days. Single-serving fruit juices offer not only hydration but also vitamins.

UHT milk is an excellent source of calcium and protein, with the advantage of keeping for months unrefrigerated until opened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within a few days.

Fats and condiments: oil, butter, spices
Fats are essential for vitamin absorption and as a concentrated source of energy. extra virgin olive oil is ideal for its antioxidant properties. butter can be stored in the freezer as an emergency reserve.

Spices such as salt, pepper, and herbs enhance the flavor of even simple meals, making eating more enjoyable in difficult situations.

Sweets and comfort foods: honey, chocolate, cookies
In times of stress, comfort foods play an important role in psychological well-being. Honey is practically eternal when stored properly and has natural antibacterial properties. Dark chocolate, rich in serotonin, improves mood and provides rapid energy. Packaged biscuits, preferably with a long shelf life, complete the pantry, offering a small daily treat that lasts up to 12 months.

Organizing a balanced food supply means considering both nutritional value and psychological comfort, ensuring complete independence when needed.

How to organize and store supplies

Properly storing food supplies is as crucial as their selection. Intelligent management ensures maximum product shelf life and prevents unnecessary waste.

The choice of storage location directly affects the shelf life of food. Ideally, emergency food supplies should be placed in cool, dry places with little direct light.

Basements, cellars, and tunnels are the best options. Garages and attics, while usable, are often too hot and quickly compromise food quality.

If space is limited, closets, high shelves, under-bed storage, or kitchen cabinets can also work effectively. It’s essential to keep products off the ground, especially if they’re on concrete floors, which could cause cans to rust or plastic bottles to absorb moisture.

Inventory rotation: consume and replace

The FIFO (First In-First Out) system is the basis of proper inventory management. This method involves consuming products with the closest expiration dates first, placing them ahead of equivalents with later expiration dates.

An important concept is that of live stock, as opposed to dead stock that gets forgotten in a corner. Incorporating stored food into your daily diet, consuming it regularly and replacing it immediately, ensures constant turnover and prevents waste.

Labeling and Expiration Date Checking
Labeling containers is essential for efficient management. Labels should indicate name of food, expiration date, or opening date. It’s a good idea to completely empty and clean your pantry at least once a month, an ideal opportunity to check the expiration dates of different products. For containerized foods, such as grains and legumes, using clear airtight jars makes it easier to identify the contents and prevents infestations.

Live vs. Deadstock
In the agricultural context, "livestock" refers to livestock and draft animals, while "deadstock" includes tools, machinery, seeds, and fodder.

Applying this concept to the home pantry, we can consider "living" supplies to be those that are regularly consumed and replenished, while "dead" supplies to be those that are accumulated and forgotten. Effective management always prioritizes living supplies, thus ensuring constant replacement and greater freshness of products when truly needed in emergency situations.

Other essentials to keep at home

In addition to food supplies, it is essential to consider other essentials to face emergency situations with peace of mind. The European Commission, in fact, recommends that every EU citizen have sufficient supplies not only of food and water, but also of medicines, batteries, and other essentials at home.

Personal and household hygiene products
Maintaining adequate hygiene standards is crucial during emergencies, even when water must be used sparingly. A prepared home should include: soap, detergents, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving products, toilet paper, disinfectant, trash bags, and household paper. Hygiene remains a top priority even in difficult times, as it prevents illnesses and infections that could further complicate the situation.

Medications and First Aid Kit
A well-stocked medicine cabinet should contain: personal medications, dressing supplies, painkillers, fever relievers, disinfectants for wounds and skin, thermometer, antidiarrheal medications, insect bite remedies, burn ointment, and tweezers. For those with specific conditions such as diabetes or asthma, it is essential to include necessary insulin or inhalers. We reiterate that the European Union recommends preparing sufficient supplies for the first 72 hours of a crisis, which are considered the most delicate.

Alternative light and heat sources
During a power outage, heating and lighting systems stop working. Therefore, the following are essential: candles, matches, lighters, flashlights, and batteries. Those with a wood-burning stove should make sure they have enough firewood, while others can temporarily resort to warm clothing. To cook in the absence of electricity, outdoor garden grills or camping stoves can be used.

Pet food and accessories
Our four-legged friends also need preparation. A pet survival kit should include: 1-2 weeks’ worth of food (about 3.5 kg of wet food), bottled water, collapsible bowls, waste disposal systems, flea treatments, collars, leashes, carriers, toys, and medical records. For a medium-sized dog (10-25 kg), the daily requirement is approximately 30 g of wet food per kg and 50 ml of water per kg.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Scorte alimentari, cibi e provviste da tenere sempre in dispensa