Choosing which food storage option is best suited to you can be a demanding task. The type of food is not the only aspect that determines which company to go for. This article makes this decision easier for you, as it explains what to look for before selecting a food storage brand to use.
Equipment
No one hopes for events that can force you to live without modern conveniences for a long time but, this is always a possibility, and it is essential to be ready for them. The right food storage brand can help you get through them and the experience might not be as detrimental. The food storage brand selected must provide tools and supplies to make you self-sufficient in instances like this. It will be good to have seeds to start your own garden and survival food or dehydrating supplies to preserve the grown food. Emergency calculators can help to estimate how much food will be needed for yourself, and your family, at the best cost. Only the best food storage options provide these facilities on their website.
Food Storing Methods
Several kinds of food require different methods to preserve them. The food storage option chosen is as important as the food that is being preserved. Long shelf life foods are preserved with the best options to make them last for up to 25 years. Freezing is an efficient way to store food, as long as the electricity doesn’t go out, else the food will go bad quickly. It might help to get a dedicated food storage freezer. This can keep steaks and roasts for up to 12 months, which makes them one of the longest lasting freezer foods. FDA’s Refrigerator & Freezer Storage chart helps to determine how long food can be kept in a freezer before spoiling and determining the foods that are ideal for long term food storage.
Diet (Food and Water)
The kinds of food provided by brands are perhaps the most important factor in selecting one right for you. The best emergency food companies have basic food groups like meats, fruits, and vegetables. These are ideal for users that do not fancy cooking. Ensure these products have a shelf life of at least 20 years because the initial investment on them is quite a lot. It is important to plan and be ready for any type of emergency. High-calorie bars and MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) are portable and quick, and this makes them great for short-term catastrophes. Filters and chemicals should be provided to purify water. Cans and pouches containing water should also be provided, in cases where there is no close water source.
Specialty dietary needs should also be considered if you fall into this category. Vegans are in luck because vegetarian meals are fairly common. Gluten-free meals are not as common though and companies like Thrive Life and Food Insurance are one of the few companies that offer this.
Pricing
Food storage companies usually offer package deals in the form of kits which can be for one person or a family. These usually contain enough food to last from a few days to a few years. Individual three-month kits usually start around $600 and can go as high as $800. Year-long kits are more expensive and start around $2,100 and go as high as $4,000.
The quality of food varies with service with a lot of them offering similar options. It is important that all the above factors are considered before deciding on an option that is right for you.