The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
In an age of rising inflation, unpredictable weather patterns, and global supply chain disruptions, knowing how to prepare for a food shortage is more important than ever.
Whether you’re building a long-term pantry or simply want peace of mind during uncertain times, this guide will walk you through smart stockpiling strategies, essential foods to store, and practical tips for keeping your household nourished.
By planning ahead, you can reduce stress, save money, and ensure your family’s food security no matter what challenges arise.
You want to be ready.
Table of Contents
- Reasons for Food Shortages
- Get Skills and Network With Others Before a Food Shortage
- Planning for a Food Shortage:
- Best Foods to Stockpile for Food Shortage
- Stay Mentally Strong During a Food Shortage
Reasons for Food Shortages
Let’ put this into perspective. When a hurricane is predicted to hit, the news inevitably focuses on people cramming in grocery stores and emptying shelves. But… folks… you knew the hurricane was coming?! Why are you shopping at the last possible minute? Regardless of the reason for food shortages, planning seems to be a lost art, something that was instinctive to our pioneer and immigrant ancestors. We need to resurrect that can-do spirit, become self-sufficient again, and ready for anything!
Understanding the reason behind food shortages is a powerful trigger to prepare for them
Natural events affecting food shortages
- Poor weather conditions like orange crops freezing in Florida or crops not planted in time due to heavy spring rains
- Crop devastation due to insect infestations, disease or blight
- Animal sickness-related deaths, like bird flu
External man-made events affecting food shortages
- High costs of transportation
- Disruptions in supply chain
- Unavailability or issues with equipment
- Labor shortages or worker strikes
- Poor decisions or planning by leadership in food fields
- Political events, import sanctions, war, etc.
- False demand due to a popular trend or fad
- Misleading and inaccurate information that triggers panic and hoarding
All of these events are frustrating, and the inability to have any control over them is equally frustrating. The important thing to remember is that planning is the best course of action.
Get Skills and Network With Others Before a Food Shortage
As stated, none of the reasons for food shortages given above are controllable. There are, however, key things that you can do to assure you always have access to food – growing food is one of them. I would like to say that I have a green thumb, but it takes a lifetime to earn those good gardening skills.
Becoming a better food grower starts now, just like the rest of the suggestions on this list:
- Stock food long-term to get you through uncertain times.
- Forge connections with farmers and growers for direct access to food.
- Be in charge of your own food source by growing your own garden and orchards, as well as livestock (chickens or goats).
- Expand skills for survival and become more capable in things like food preservation, or have resource books that are ready when you need them.
- Buddy up with trusted friends, family, or neighbors to share food skills and wisdom.
- Develop a prepared mindset, and be ready to lower standards and do with less.
If all of this makes you anxious, take the time to read “Stockpiling Doesn’t Have to be Scary.”
Planning for a Food Shortage:
It is important to have access to a variety of foods during a food shortage for a balanced and healthy diet. It is also vital that you don’t rely on only one method of preservation and storage. For example, if you only have freezer food and your freezer quits, that is a serious dent into your food plan!
It is human instinct to hoard food and supplies at the slightest hint of shortages – it is not a position you want to be in, so plan ahead:
- If you have special dietary needs, plan for alternatives.
- Learn to eat just the calories you need and learn to stretch your food supply (stone soup anyone?).
- Don’t throw food away food, eat fresh food before it goes bad, freeze leftovers or extras if possible, or dehydrate them to extend shelf life.
- Push the limits on expiration dates, buy food with the longest expiration dates, and realize the fact that you can still eat most expired canned food.
- Buy a little extra food on every grocery shopping trip.
- Buy food that doesn’t need refrigeration (canned, dehydrated, freeze-dried).
- Stock up on emergency food, emergency food kits, long-term shelf life food, or MREs.
- Buy highly nutritious food.
- Buy food with a long shelf life.
- Buy food that doesn’t need water or cooking.
- Learn to become independent from your freezer and refrigerator.
- Find alternative sources of vitamin C, like sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, or buy a fermentation kit.
- Learn how to garden and grow your own food, or become familiar with wild edibles.
- Be brave and try eating bugs – crickets and grasshoppers are a rising food protein source!.
- Learn what’s growing wild in your own vicinity that you can gather for free, like dandelions, watercress, and berries.
- Become a flavor explorer and learn how to add spice to foods to make them more interesting.
- Home gardens should include perennials, such as berries and rhubarb that don’t depend on seeds.
- Purchase heritage seeds – this means that seeds can be saved from them to be replanted for next year.
- Build experience with home food preservation methods and equipment – make sure you have the supplies well in advance before harvest when everyone else is buying them.
- Invest in long-term containers such as food safe buckets, oxygen absorbers, Mason jars and canning lids, and Ziplock® bags.
- Learn how to cook from scratch, cook using different methods and equipment, learn how to make food substitutions, and build an arsenal of favorite recipes and cookbooks.
- Always keep a sharp eye on your water supply, which should include water safety/filtration equipment.
- Plan where your emergency food “stash” will be kept, but even better, plan on multiple locations and do not broadcast to the entire world where your emergency supplies are stored.
- Develop plan “Bs” for heating, cooking, and chilling food such as solar ovens, fire pits, and root cellars – you never know when there will be energy shortages.
Best Foods to Stockpile for Food Shortage
Here’s a comprehensive list of the best foods to keep on hand, chosen for their long shelf life, nutritional value, and versatility. Don’t forget food for special diets such as diabetes, and foods for baby, toddler, and pregnant or lactating women.
🧂 Staples & Dry Goods
- White Rice – Lasts up to 30 years when stored properly
- Pasta – Easy to cook and stores well for years
- Rolled Oats – Great for breakfast and baking
- Flour & Cornmeal – Essential for baking and cooking
- Sugar & Salt – Indefinite shelf life if kept dry
- Honey – Never spoils and can be used as a sweetener or remedy
- Baking Essentials – Baking powder, baking soda, yeast
🫘 Protein Sources
- Dried Beans & Lentils – Long shelf life and high in protein
- Canned Meats – Tuna, chicken, salmon, SPAM
- Jerky & Summer Sausage – Shelf-stable and protein-rich
- Peanut Butter – Comfort food with healthy fats and protein
- Powdered Eggs – Great for baking and cooking
🥦 Fruits & Vegetables
- Canned Vegetables – Corn, peas, carrots, green beans
- Canned Fruits – Peaches, pineapple, applesauce
- Dried Fruits – Raisins, apricots, cranberries
- Freeze-Dried Veggies – Lightweight and nutrient-dense
🧃 Dairy & Alternatives
- Powdered Milk – Long shelf life and useful for baking
- Shelf-Stable Milk (UHT) – No refrigeration needed until opened
- Canned Cheese or Wax-Sealed Cheese – Can last for years
🍲 Meal Builders
- Canned Soups & Chili – Ready-to-eat and filling
- Spaghetti Sauce – Pairs with pasta for easy meals
- Bouillon Cubes or Powder – Adds flavor to soups and stews
- Tomato Paste & Products – Versatile for cooking
🧴 Cooking Essentials
- Cooking Oils – Olive, coconut, or vegetable oil
- Vinegar – Useful for cooking and cleaning
- Spices & Seasonings – Boost flavor and morale
🍬 Comfort & Energy Foods
- Granola Bars & Trail Mix – Portable and calorie-dense
- Hard Candies & Chocolate – Long shelf life and morale boosters
- Coffee & Tea – Essential for many and stores well
Pro Tips
- Store in airtight containers or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers
- Rotate stock using FIFO (First In, First Out) method
- Keep in a cool, dry, dark place to extend shelf life
Stay Mentally Strong During a Food Shortage
Food enriches our lives and is often the center of celebrations. Sadly, food is also used as a crutch when we are depressed and stressed. If your budget allows, toss in a few food extras that bring happiness, such as chocolate, sweets, favorite beverages, etc. This is a way to protect your mental stamina and make sure you and your family will outlast any food crisis.
Shop now while you’re level headed. Trying to buy food while competing with other panicked shoppers is not ideal. Use your time to build new skills, take classes, ask questions, and become informed. Share that information with your inner circle and focus on building a better future for the next generation.
You got this!
