Best Survival Food Companies with Long Shelf Life

Finding reliable long-term emergency food can be challenging when preparing for uncertain times ahead.

The top survival food brands optimize for extreme 25+ year shelf life so you can effectively stockpile nutritious supplies.

In this guide, we'll compare the leading suppliers of survival food based on longevity, storage, quality, affordability, and more to help you make an informed decision.

Introduction to Long Shelf Life Survival Food

Survival food with long shelf lives is essential for emergency preparedness. Having non-perishable food supplies in your home provides security and peace of mind in uncertain times. This introductory section will define key terms, outline the benefits of stockpiling survival food, and help you get started on gathering emergency reserves.

Understanding the Essentials of Survival Food Kits

Survival food kits are specially packaged assortments of non-perishable food designed to last for years. They typically contain staples like:

Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, meats)
Dried grains (rice, pasta, oats)
Dried beans and legumes
Freeze dried meats and vegetables
Powdered milk, eggs, and butter
Condiments
Water pouches or purification tablets

Choosing food with long shelf lives ensures you have reliable access to nutrition if stores close or supply chains fail. Many kits offer full daily servings with 10-25 year shelf lives.

Benefits of Stockpiling Long-Lasting Foods

Building reserves of survival food brings major advantages:

Reliable nutrition - Shelf-stable food guarantees access to calories and nutrients in emergencies.
Peace of mind - Stockpiles allow you to shelter in place instead of venturing out during crises.
Cost savings - Bulk discount savings compared to buying small quantities at retail prices over time.
Enhanced self-reliance - Less reliance on grocery stores for sustenance during disruptions.

How to Get Started with Survival Stockpiling

Beginning the journey of gathering emergency food supplies is easy:

Take inventory and make meal plans based on your household needs.
Research and select foods with 10+ year shelf lives.
Gradually build up a diverse stockpile - add a few new items each month.
Safely store reserves in a cool, dry, dark location.
Rotate and replace items as they reach expiration dates.

Having long shelf life food reserves boosts preparedness. Stockpile survival supplies now before disruptions hit.

What brand is best survival food?

When it comes to the best survival food brands, there are a few key players that stand out for their quality, taste, and long shelf life.

Mil-Surp MREs

Military Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are designed for high portability and long shelf life. With an average expiration date of 5 years, these complete meals can be relied on in an emergency. Popular picks like chili mac and spaghetti hold up surprisingly well in terms of taste.

Mountain House

Known for freeze-dried ingredients, Mountain House meals are lightweight and compact, with a shelf life of up to 30 years. They offer meal kits for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. Taste is better than most survival food.

Augason Farms

This company provides a wide selection of #emergency food supply kits with a shelf life of up to 25 years. From grains and baking mixes to freeze dried fruits and vegetables, their food is simple to prepare and tastes decent.

Legacy Food Storage

Legacy offers bulk ingredients like freeze-dried cheese, milk, and eggs that can create full meals. With up to 25 year shelf life, their #survival Food kits allow customization so you can stock up on your family's favorites.

The best survival food balances shelf life, portability, and palatability. Companies like Mountain House, Augason Farms, and Legacy Food Storage check all those boxes while providing nourishing, long-lasting meals to rely on if the grid goes down. With the right storage methods, these foods can sustain you and your family through an extended crisis.

What is the best food to stock up on for emergencies?

When building your emergency food supply, it's important to focus on shelf-stable foods with a long shelf life. Some of the best options include:

Canned and Jarred Foods

Canned foods like beans, vegetables, fruits, soups, meats, and seafood can last 2-5 years unopened. Once opened, transfer to airtight containers and use within a few days. Popular choices are:

Canned beans, chili, soups
Canned tuna, salmon, chicken
Canned fruits and vegetables
Jarred pasta sauce, salsa

Dried and Dehydrated Foods

Dried foods like grains, pasta, dried fruits, vegetables, and meat can last up to 30 years if stored properly. Great options include:

White rice, pasta, oats
Dried beans, lentils
Freeze-dried meats
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries
Nuts and trail mixes

Shelf-Stable Dairy and Baked Goods

Powdered milk, condensed milk, and UHT milk can last 6-12 months. Hard cheeses keep for several weeks, while crackers and cookies stay fresh for months.

Powdered milk
Evaporated milk
Hard cheeses
Crackers, cookies

When stocking up, remember to store foods in a cool, dark place and routinely check expiration dates. Rotate your stock to use older items first. Having 6 months to 1 year of emergency food is recommended for most households.

What is the best food for long term preppers?

When it comes to long term food storage, preppers prioritize shelf life above all else. Foods like wheat, corn, beans, and salt have an almost unlimited shelf life when properly stored, making them ideal staples for a long term emergency food supply.

Here are some of the best long shelf life foods for preppers:

Wheat - Hard red or white wheat berries can last 30+ years when stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Grind into flour as needed.
Rice - White rice stores for 30+ years. Brown rice has a shorter shelf life around 6 months.
Beans - Dried beans can last 30+ years. Varieties like pinto, black, kidney, garbanzo, and lentils are versatile staples.
Pasta - Factory sealed pasta lasts 8+ years. Homemade egg noodles keep 6-12 months.
Salt - Table salt stores indefinitely. Iodized salt loses nutrients over time.
Honey - Pure raw honey keeps indefinitely unopened or decades once opened.
Sugar - White granulated sugar lasts forever. Brown sugar clumps faster from moisture.
Oats - Steel cut or rolled oats keep 10-30 years in airtight containers.
Peanut butter - Sealed jars can last 3-5 years unopened.

When relying on staple foods for long term survival, it's essential to eat a combination of items together to get all necessary nutrients. For example, beans and rice contain complementary amino acids so when eaten together increase available protein levels.

Supplementing with multi-vitamins can help fill nutritional gaps when eating the same staple foods daily. Canned meats, fruits and vegetables add much needed variety as well. Prioritizing shelf life ensures you have an emergency food supply no matter what the future brings.

Does survival food really last 25 years?

Survival food with a long shelf life is certainly possible with the right processing and packaging methods. Freeze dried meals, in particular, can have shelf lives exceeding 25 years when manufactured to high standards.

The key factors that enable long term storage are:

Use of high quality ingredients - Choosing ingredients that have intrinsic stability and longevity.
Careful processing - Using techniques like freeze drying and nitrogen flushing that help food stay nutrient-rich over time.
Robust packaging - Mylar pouches with oxygen absorbers prevent oxidation and seal out moisture.

With attention to those core areas, processors of survival food are able to offer products with 20-30 year shelf lives. Over time, vitamin levels may decrease slightly, but the meals remain nutritious and safe to eat.

Proper storage is also critical. Storing pouches at stable, moderate temperatures away from light, heat, and pests enables the long shelf life to be achieved.

So in summary, yes, freeze dried and properly packaged survival foods can retain nutritional value and taste for 25+ years when well-made. Following storage guidelines preserves quality over decades.

Top Survival Food Companies for Optimal Preparedness

When building an emergency food supply, selecting companies with proven longevity is key. As a prepper, you need meals and kits with exceptional shelf lives to outlast any disaster scenario. This section compares reputable brands that prioritize survival rations designed to last decades.

Mountain House Survival Food: A Pioneering Brand

As an early pioneer in freeze-dried food technology, Mountain House has earned a reputation for exceptional quality and long shelf lives amongst preppers. Their food kits and buckets have a guaranteed 30 year shelf life if stored properly. Taste is above average and the brand offers meal variety for short or long-term emergencies. However, it does come at a premium cost point.

Legacy Food Storage: Premium Options for Longevity

For premium ingredients and gourmet flavors, Legacy Premium emergency meals are a top contender, with a 25 year shelf life matched by few competitors. They offer smaller sample packs to try before investing in bulk. Costs are middle-of-the-road, providing good value for the quality. The taste makes their kits popular for everyday use too.

Valley Food Storage: Quality and Affordability Combined

Boasting a 30 year shelf life guarantee, Valley Food Storage provides high-quality ingredients without the premium price tag. Their basic 52-week family food kit starts under $100, making preparedness achievable for limited budgets. The meals may lack variety but nutritional content and simplicity make them reliable for emergencies.

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply: Gourmet and Practical

ReadyWise offers a robust line-up, from affordable buckets to gourmet entrees, with up to 25 year shelf lives. Their gluten-free and vegetarian options are some of the best for specialized diets. ReadyWise provides well-rounded practicality and quality at reasonable costs for short or long-term supply needs.

When selecting the best survival food companies, shelf life guarantees over 20+ years are ideal for optimal preparedness. Within your budget, invest in brands that meet your tastes, health needs, and duration requirements. Sample different emergency meal kits to find reliable staples for your stockpile.

Emergency Food Supply Essentials

When building an emergency food supply, there are several key factors to consider in order to ensure you have high-quality, nutritious food that will last.

Decoding Shelf Life and Expiration Dates

The first thing to look at is the claimed shelf life and how the manufacturer determines expiration dates. Reputable emergency food brands conduct shelf life tests by storing samples in various temperature and humidity conditions over time to definitively set expiration dates. This provides confidence in the actual shelf life.

Be wary of vague claims about "lasting 25 years" without specifics on storage methods or testing. Check if the expiration date is clearly printed on each food pack along with appropriate storage guidelines.

Evaluating Food Quality and Flavor

You want emergency food that not only lasts a long time but also tastes good. Check reviews to see input on the flavor and texture of various dishes from different brands.

Quality ingredients like freeze-dried or dehydrated vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meats help food taste better. Some brands focus more on good recipes and flavors than others.

Affordability and Value in Emergency Food Kits

Emergency food is an investment, but you can find very affordable options, especially when buying in bulk. Calculate the cost per meal or per calorie when comparing. Consider what's included - some kits also provide water pouches or essential accessories.

Focus on value rather than just price. Paying more for high-quality ingredients and better taste can be worthwhile long-term.

Diversity in Meal Selection and Dietary Accommodations

Look for a wide range of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks to provide nutrition and avoid taste fatigue. Some brands offer better selection and ability to accommodate special diets like gluten-free, diabetic friendly or vegetarian.

Pay attention to variety in flavors, ingredients and textures. If taste testing, evaluate multiple dishes to determine overall food quality.

Preparing an Emergency Food Supply for Your Family

Having a well-stocked emergency food supply is crucial for being prepared when disasters strike. By optimizing storage conditions and implementing inventory management systems, you can maximize the shelf life of your food reserves.

Optimizing Climate-Controlled Storage for Food Longevity

Storing your emergency food supply properly is key to ensuring maximum freshness and longevity. Ideal conditions include cool temperatures around 60-70°F, low humidity around 30-40%, no direct light exposure, and good air circulation. Consider investing in long-term food storage containers with gaskets for an added moisture barrier. Stick to the manufacturer's recommended storage guidelines for individual items.

Choosing the Right Packaging and Containers

The best emergency food kits use specially designed packaging like Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and food-grade plastic buckets to protect against moisture, insects, rodents, and degradation over time. Prioritize BPA-free containers in cool, dark spaces for nutritional stability. Some companies also offer freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients with a 20-30 year shelf life.

Implementing a First In, First Out (FIFO) System

Use a FIFO inventory rotation system to methodically use and replace your existing emergency food supply before expiration dates. Label all containers with purchase dates, track in a spreadsheet, and check every 6 months. This ensures you have an adequate food reserve and don't waste anything by letting it expire before use.

Strategizing Emergency Food Supply for a Family of 4

Nutrition experts recommend storing a 30-90 day supply of food per person. For a family of 4, you'll need a diverse mix of grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more amounting to ~2,400 calories per day per person. Consider an emergency supply with ingredients supporting special diets if needed. Take family tastes and cooking resources into account as well.

Final Tips and Recommendations

When selecting a long shelf life survival food company, it's important to choose reputable brands that you can rely on to provide safe, nutritious emergency food supplies for your family. Here are some final tips:

Selecting Reputable Brands for Reliability

Stick to well-known survival food brands like Mountain House and Valley Food Storage that have a proven track record for quality and safety. These companies rigorously test their products to verify the stated shelf life. Choosing established brands gives you confidence that your food will be there when you need it.

Tailoring Choices to Meet Individual and Family Needs

Consider personal preferences, dietary restrictions, budget, and variety when choosing an emergency food kit. For example, some companies offer gluten-free or vegetarian options. Buy smaller bulk quantities first to sample different foods. Get enough variety to tailor meals and avoid food fatigue.

Adhering to Storage and Inventory Best Practices

Store survival food kits in a cool, dry place to maximize shelf life. Use oxygen absorbers in containers. Take inventory and rotate stock by best by dates. Having an emergency food supply is only helpful if it is stored properly and maintained over time.