Top Foods to Store in Bulk
Here are my recommendations for foods to store in bulk and how to store them correctly for short term, long term and extra long-term storage.
I’ll be sharing why, what and how along with my commonsense approach to bulk foods.
Practical not Prepper Advice
First – WHY should you be storing food?
Why not is my answer? Ok that’s being a little smart of me. But look we all know prices are soaring and outta control, they will (generally) never be lower than they are today. Companies like making profits so the prices go up even if there wasn’t the inflation issue. So, let’s get some bulk food on hand to help combat inflation and feed the family. Plus who wants to actually be grocery shopping? I don’t have time for that, nor do I have any desire to. Now that we grow/raise MOST of our own food (organically) and when I walk into the store – oh gosh it’s overload of nonsense, junk, and literally watching $$$ fly out the door.
Second – WHAT should you be storing?
Foods that you actually eat!! This post isn’t a prepper post it’s a practical post. Does the family eat a lot of noodles? How about rice? Sugar? Cocoa? Well, there ya go grab the organic bulk stuff then I’ll list my favorites that will help guide you down below. If you want to do prepper style, then you’ll be looking at dehydrated food packs and can’s. But again this is a practical approach to storing bulk foods and why. What can’t be stored long term safely include brown rice, chocolate, cookies, crackers, granola, nuts, pastries, raisins, and unbleached flour. Stick with DRY foods.
Third- WHERE should you be storing?
Anywhere really. Ok I’ll get a bit more specific but sometimes it’s just thinking of some places that don’t seem so common. Of course, a pantry if you have that (which I don’t). Maybe it’ll have to be a closet or under your bed, or in an cool spot in the basement for long term storage. Rotate your bulk foods – make sure to use it and keep restocking as you go along.
Fourth – HOW should you be storing it?
There are some rules on what can be stored and how it can be stored. Some items such as oils can
My long-term solution is to store your bulk foods in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. You can also store those bags right into 5 gallon food grade buckets with gamma seal lids for extra security. If you open up the mylar bags to use any of the ingredients, you’ll need to replace with new oxygen absorbers and seal back up. The mylar bags will give you an idea of what it holds and how many oxygen absorbers are needed per bag.
I like to store certain items such as oats, rice, flour and wheat berries in 5 gallon food grade buckets with gamma lids and keep them handy and nearby.
I also store items in vacuum sealed bags in smaller portions that fit into my cannisters/jars in my cupboards and counters. You can stash these bags in the freezer if you have room for extra security.
TIP: Best location is in a cool dark area.
Fifth- WHERE do I suggest buying from?
Generally, where I get my bulk ingredients is from Azure Standard- they have an immense amount of food that is organic and all natural. When I’ve had a Costco membership, I have stocked up plenty from there such as flour, rice, canned goods ramen noodles.
NEW Customers receive 15% off orders of $100 or more using code “NEW15” at this LINK
Learn HOW to order from Azure click here — > My Favorites from Azure
Storage Supplies:
- Food Grade Buckets 5 gallon or 2 gallon (From azure or find local on facebook marketplace)
- Gamma Seal Lids
- Mylar Bags + Oxygen Absorbers
- Glass Jars (Gallon or Half Gallon make sure to grab lids)
Suggested Grains:
- Flour (storage is 2-5 years)
- Rolled Oats
- Corn
- Wheat Berries (storage is 20-30 years)
- Quinoa
- Rice
Suggested Sweeteners:
- Cocoa
- Cane Sugar
- Honey
- Molasses
- Maple Syrup
Suggested Beans:
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
- Lentils
Kidney Beans - White Beans
Suggested Pasta:
- Elbow Noodles
- Spaghetti
- Ramen Noodles (GF)
- Orzo
- Penne Rigate
- GF Noodles
Suggested Spices:
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Onion Powder
- Pepper
- Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
| Food | Mylar Shelf-Life |
|---|---|
| Nuts | Up to 1 Year |
| Brown Rice | Up to 1 Year |
| Beef Jerky | 1 – 2 Years |
| Dried Herbs From The Garden | Up to 5 Years |
| Rye | Up to 10 Years |
| Granola | Up to 10 Years |
| Alfalfa | Up to 10 Years |
| Powdered Eggs | Up to 10 Years |
| Buckwheat | Up to 20 Years |
| White Flour | Up to 20 Years |
| Powdered Milk | Up to 30 Years |
| Pasta and Noodles | Up to 30 Years |
| White Rice | Up to 30 Years |
| Salt | Indefinitely |
| Honey | Indefinitely |
| Sugar | Indefinitely |
Sources:
Smart Long-term Food Storage – Azure Standard
The 2024 Complete Guide to Storing Food In Mylar Bags – Outdoor Happens Homestead
