Preparing for emergency situations in mountain homes requires forethought about unique challenges like extreme weather, supply chain interruptions, and changes in nutritional needs.
By stocking up on specially formulated survival food kits containing nutrient-dense ingredients with long shelf lives, mountain dwellers can sustain themselves when hazards arise.
In this article, we'll explore critical considerations around dietary priorities, storage methods, and cooking adaptations for mountain home pantries, helping you prepare for anything while nourishing your family.
Introduction to Mountain Home Survival Food Essentials
Having the right survival food is critical when preparing a mountain home. Key benefits of proper mountain home food storage include longevity, nutrition, and ease of storage. With the unique challenges of high-altitude, remote living, having nutritious food that will last for years is essential.
Understanding the Unique Challenges of Mountain Homes
Mountain homes face specific challenges when it comes to food storage and preparation:
- Harsh weather conditions can make supply runs difficult during winter months
- Remote locations mean emergency services may take longer to arrive if issues arise
- High altitudes increase caloric and nutritional needs to maintain energy levels
Proper planning and stocking up on survival food helps mitigate these risks.
Essential Nutrients for High-Altitude Living
Certain vitamins and minerals become even more important for maintaining health at high altitudes:
- Iron - aids red blood cell production and oxygen circulation
- Magnesium - supports muscle and nerve functioning
- Antioxidants like vitamin C and E - combat free radical damage
When selecting survival food, prioritize freeze-dried or dehydrated meals fortified with iron, magnesium, and antioxidants.
The Role of 25-Year Emergency Food Supply in Long-Term Planning
Having a long-lasting, 25-year emergency food supply is prudent for remote mountain homes where supply runs may be infrequent. Kits with freeze-dried or dehydrated meals that can last decades provide insurance against unforeseen circumstances. They remove worries about starvation or malnutrition for mountain residents.
Mountain House and Wise Foods offer 25-year food kits meeting most nutritional needs. These give peace of mind to mountain preppers.
Balancing Taste and Nutrition in Survival Food Selection
While nutrition is paramount, taste still matters for morale and appetite. When possible, choose kits with familiar, comforting meals like pasta bakes, scrambled eggs, rice dishes, and soups.
Mountain House excels here with meals focused on flavor - consider their classic bucket kits for a balance. Augason Farms has budget options too.
Emergency Food Kits: A Comprehensive Solution
For mountain preppers, pre-packed emergency food kits check all the boxes:
- Long shelf life of 25+ years
- Highly nutritious meals fortified with vitamins
- Tasty, familiar food to enjoy
- Easy storage in ready-to-go buckets or pouches
Reliance, Mountain House, and Wise Foods offer reliable kits meeting most needs. Focus on sufficient calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients when comparing.
With the right emergency food supply secured, mountain preppers can better handle harsh conditions and focus on other priorities.
What foods should I stockpile for survival?
When building your mountain home food stockpile, focus on nutrient-dense non-perishable foods that will sustain you in an emergency situation. Here are some essentials to include:
Proteins
Stock up on canned and pouched meats like tuna, salmon, chicken, turkey, and beans. These are packed with protein to help maintain energy levels. Some good options are:
- Canned beans - black, pinto, kidney, etc. High in fiber and plant-based protein.
- Canned chicken or tuna - versatile for recipes like salads, casseroles, etc.
- Beef jerky or pemmican - compact protein sources.
- Canned chili, stew, or soup with meat - easy single-serve meals.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies provide key vitamins and minerals. Prioritize ones with a long shelf-life:
- Canned fruits and vegetables - peaches, pears, carrots, spinach, etc. Choose options packed in juice rather than syrup.
- Dried fruits - raisins, cranberries, apricots. These are lightweight and full of nutrients.
- Canned vegetable and tomato juice - excellent sources of vitamins and hydration.
Grains, Nuts and Seeds
Stock up on non-perishable carbs and healthy fats:
- Whole grains like rice, quinoa, oats, pasta. These offer complex carbs for sustained energy.
- Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds. Packed with protein, healthy fats and fiber.
- Granola, cereal or cracker snacks - lightweight carbs and fiber.
When building your survival stockpile, focus on nutrient-density over convenience. Avoid overly processed or sugary foods as these won't provide lasting nourishment. With the right selection of proteins, fruits/veggies, grains and nuts/seeds, you'll have a well-rounded food supply to rely on in an emergency.
Do Mountain House meals go bad?
Mountain House® meals have an exceptionally long shelf life compared to other survival foods on the market. Their freeze-dried meals are guaranteed to last 30 years from the date of manufacture, with very few exceptions:
- Ice cream has a 3-year shelf life
- Peanut Butter Bites last 2 years from manufacture date
The secret behind Mountain House's incredible shelf stability lies in their freeze-drying process. By removing almost all moisture, the meals remain edible for decades. As long as you store them in a cool, dark place, they should retain their nutritional value and taste for the entire 30 year shelf life.
Some signs that your Mountain House meals may have gone bad before their expiration date:
- Package is open or punctured
- Food smells rancid or unpleasant
- Food texture seems excessively hard and dry
- Color has changed dramatically
As long as the package remains sealed and stored properly, you can rely on Mountain House meals to withstand the test of time. Their decades-long shelf life makes them perfect for emergency food storage and survival preparedness.
What is the best long lasting survival food?
When stocking up on survival food for your mountain home, it's important to focus on non-perishable items with a long shelf life that provide nutritional value. Some essentials to keep in your pantry include:
- Peanut butter - High in protein, healthy fats, and calories. Stays fresh up to 3 years when unopened.
- Whole-wheat crackers - Also high in nutrients and last 1-2 years when properly stored. Pair with peanut butter for energy.
- Nuts and trail mixes - Great sources of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Last over a year when sealed in bags or cans.
- Cereal or granola - Choose whole grain cereals and make sure to store in airtight containers. Can last several months beyond best-by date.
- Granola and protein bars - Convenient high-calorie options with 1+ year shelf lives.
- Dried fruits - Packed with nutrients and last up to a year when stored properly. Apricots, raisins, cranberries are great options.
- Canned meats - Including tuna, salmon, chicken, and turkey. Store up to 2-5 years and excellent sources of protein.
- Canned vegetables - Green beans, carrots, and peas store 3-5 years. Great for nutrition and meal variety.
Focus on stocking up on these types of hearty, nutritious foods with proven longevity to create a well-prepared mountain home survival food supply. Prioritize calories, protein, vitamins and minerals when choosing ingredients.
Who owns Mountain House food?
Mountain House is owned by Oregon Freeze Dry (OFD), which has been a leader in freeze-dried food production for over 50 years. In 2022, OFD was acquired by Arbor Investments, a Chicago-based private equity firm.
Arbor Investments specializes in acquiring and growing companies in food, beverage, and related industries. Their goal is to help OFD and the Mountain House brand continue innovating and meeting the needs of outdoor adventurers and emergency preparedness enthusiasts who rely on their high-quality freeze-dried ingredients and meals.
The Mountain House brand itself has been trusted for decades among backpackers, hunters, and preppers. Their freeze-drying process allows food to retain 98% of its nutritional value for years, making Mountain House products the gold standard for portable, long-lasting survival food.
With the backing of Arbor Investments, Mountain House is well-positioned to keep improving their food technology and range of offerings. They aim to continue providing hardy, convenient and tasty ingredients that can be stored for decades in your mountain retreat or emergency pantry.
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Best Survival Food Kits for Mountain Homes
Comparing various emergency food kits tailored for mountain living, focusing on shelf life, nutritional content, and ease of preparation.
Mountain House Meals: A Reliable Choice
Mountain House offers a variety of tasty mountain home survival food kits with convenient freeze dried meals that have a shelf life of up to 25 years. Their Pro-Paks contain staple ingredients like rice, vegetables, meats, and eggs that provide balanced nutrition in an emergency. The pouched meals only require hot water for preparation, making them easy to make. Mountain House food kits come in different sizes to meet the needs of varying family sizes.
Customizing Your Own Survival Food Kits
When assembling your own emergency food supply, focus on nutrient-dense, non-perishable items like nuts, canned goods, and dehydrated produce. Calculate the daily caloric needs for each family member and pack enough to last several months. Custom kits allow you to tailor ingredients to suit dietary restrictions or preferences. For example, incorporate more vegetarian options if needed. Use oxygen absorbers and appropriate storage containers to maximize shelf life.
### The Value of Freeze Dried Meals in Emergency Situations
Freeze dried meals are lightweight, compact, and have an extended shelf life of up to 25 years when stored properly. The removal of water content inhibits bacteria growth allowing them to last much longer than canned goods. They readily rehydrate with hot water in minutes. The condensed nature of freeze dried food reduces storage space requirements. With their ease of preparation and nutritional content, incorporating some freeze dried meals into your mountain home survival food kit provides reliable sustenance in an emergency until longer-term solutions can be arranged.
Selecting Kits for Different Family Sizes and Needs
Emergency food kits are available in sizes tailored to feed one person for months at a time up to a full family for a year. Consider your household's unique size and demographics when selecting a kit. For example, kits marketed for couples or individuals contain smaller meal portion sizes. Kits for larger families include more calories and larger meal sizes. You can also find specialty kits for children, seniors, or pets. Determine your family’s needs and choose portion sizes and ingredients accordingly.
Vegetarian and Special-Diet Emergency Kits
Those with dietary restrictions like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or kosher can find specialized emergency food kits. These contain ingredients and freeze dried meals tailored specifically to these diets. For example, vegetarian/vegan kits contain plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts and soy instead of meat. Gluten-free kits exclude wheat and other grains containing gluten. Pay attention to the dietary labels when selecting a kit if you have restrictions. Building custom kits also allows you to cater to special diets.
Mountain House Freeze Dried Food: A Staple for Survival Pantries
Mountain House offers a wide selection of freeze-dried foods designed to last for decades, making them a staple for any survival pantry. Their meals require minimal preparation with just hot water, are lightweight and compact for portability, and provide the nutrition needed to maintain health in an emergency.
Comparing Shelf Life and Nutritional Value
Mountain House freeze-dried foods are processed to remove almost all moisture, allowing them to remain edible for 25+ years when stored properly. Though some vitamin degradation occurs over time, key macronutrients like protein, fat, and carbohydrates remain intact. This gives them better nutritional value over the long-term compared to other emergency food options.
Ease of Preparation and Consumption
Only requiring hot water, Mountain House meals can be prepared easily even in harsh emergency conditions. The pouches quickly rehydrate the food, no cooking needed. The resulting meals are quite palatable, akin to home-cooked food in texture and taste. This makes them ideal when minimal fuel, water, and effort is available.
Incorporating Variety into Your Food Storage
With a range of over 30 entrées from lasagna to chicken teriyaki, plus eggs, fruits, vegetables, and baking ingredients, Mountain House enables variety in your food supply. Variety keeps morale up, ensures nutritional completeness, and avoids food fatigue from repetitive meals. Stock your pantry with an assortment for maximum flexibility.
Cost-Effectiveness and Bulk Purchasing
Though freeze-dried food has a higher upfront cost than alternatives, the extreme longevity and nutritional density make it cost-effective long-term. Buying large multi-week or multi-year supplies brings costs down further through bulk discounts. Split bulk purchases across several people to save money and build community resilience.
Sourcing and Availability
Mountain House is sold online through major retailers like Amazon and directly from their website with reliable availability. Local sporting goods and emergency supply stores may also carry stock. Place routine orders to maintain your needed inventory and take advantage of sales or promotions when possible.
Proper Storage and Rotation of Mountain Home Survival Foods
Proper storage of mountain home survival food is critical to ensure longevity and prevent waste. Here are key tips on storage conditions, containers, labeling, and rotation to maximize shelf life.
Temperature, Light, and Humidity Controls
Storing food in a cool, dark, and dry place is ideal. Temperatures between 40-60°F, away from heat and light sources, help food last. Using moisture-absorbing packs prevents mold growth. Basements or cellars work well when humidity controlled.
Storing in Air-Tight, Animal-Proof Containers
Seal foods in Mylar bags, vacuum packs, or storage buckets with gasket lids. This protects against pests, light, moisture, and oxygen exposure. Consider adding oxygen absorbers too. Store containers off the floor on shelves or pallets.
Labeling Contents and Expiration Dates
Clearly labeling each container's contents and expiration date allows efficient use of oldest supplies first. Include quantity, date packed, and any preparation notes. Masking tape, markers, and printable food grade labels work well.
First In, First Out (FIFO) Food Rotation
Use a FIFO (first-in, first-out) rotation system - consume oldest existing food while replenishing supply with new items. This ensures continual readiness and avoids waste from expiration. Designate separate storage areas for long-term reserve and everyday use items.
Avoiding Waste and Extending Usability
Repackage bulk items like Mountain House freeze dried food or rice into smaller portions to avoid spoilage from repeatedly opening. Cooked rice and pasta can be dehydrated and added to soups or casseroles later. With sound storage methods, food stays safe and nutritious for emergency use when needed.
Cooking Considerations for Mountain Homes
Strategies for preparing meals with limited water, fuel sources, cooking tools and refrigeration in remote locations.
Outdoor Cooking Setups
Having a designated outdoor cooking area is essential for mountain homesteads that may lack modern appliances and electricity.
Consider building a simple outdoor kitchen with storage for cooking tools and dry goods. Raised beds or tables allow for food prep at a comfortable height. Include shelving to organize spices, utensils, and Mountain House freeze dried food.
Protect cooking areas from weather and animals with a roof, partial walls, screening, or other barriers as needed. Ensure good ventilation if using propane or other fuel sources.
Fuel Sources and Cooking Methods
With limited or no electricity, mountain homes rely on alternative fuel sources for cooking:
- Wood - Ample fuel for stoves and grills using deadfall. Hardwoods like oak and maple burn the longest.
- Propane - Portable propane burners are extremely useful. Consider large refillable tanks.
- Solar - Solar ovens slowly cook food using free sunlight. Effective but weather dependent.
- No-Cook - Some emergency food kits require only water. Useful to conserve fuel.
Tailor methods to available fuel sources. Grilling, foil packets, campfire frying pans, Dutch ovens, etc. allow cooking almost anywhere with a variety of heat sources.
No-Cook Meal Ideas
Prepare no-cook meals to conserve fuel and reduce heat in summer:
- Sandwiches
- Salads with pre-cooked quinoa or rice
- Wraps with hummus, cold cuts, veggies
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Trail mixes with nuts, seeds, dried fruit
- Overnight oats with chia seeds, milk, yogurt
- No-bake energy bites and granola bars
Plan ahead and pack items like nut butters, crackers, bread, canned fish, and Mountain House meals to assemble quick no-cook meals.
Food Safety Without Refrigeration
Practice strict food safety without refrigeration:
- Store dried, canned, and shelf-stable foods in cool, dark places.
- Cook meats like poultry and fish immediately. Freeze any extras.
- Avoid leftovers. Compost scraps securely to prevent pests.
- Wash produce immediately and consume within days of harvest.
- Use ice packs, evaporation coolers, or root cellars to prolong freshness.
- When canning produce, strictly follow approved recipes and sanitize all equipment.
Foraging to Supplement Supplies
Forage to supplement pantry staples but exercise caution identifying plants:
- Consult reputable wild plant field guides specific to your region. Cross-reference multiple sources.
- Positively identify the exact species. Many edible plants have poisonous lookalikes. When in doubt, do not eat it.
- Only harvest abundant plants to avoid over-picking sensitive species.
- Prepare teas, tinctures, jams, stews and more with wild ingredients like berries, mushrooms, greens, tubers, etc.
Integrating foraged foods provides variety but cultivated or 25-year emergency food supply is more reliable long-term.
Emergency Preparedness for Mountain Blizzards and Snowstorms
Winter storms can isolate mountain homes for weeks, so having robust preparation strategies in place is critical. Focus on capabilities like snow removal, emergency communications, power and water resiliency to maintain access and operation.
Snow Removal Equipment and Planning
Having the proper snow removal tools like snow blowers, plows, and tire chains will enable you to keep pathways clear during heavy snowfall. Identify areas on your property that are most essential to maintain access to, such as driveways and walkways to your home, barn, etc. Develop a snow removal plan that designates who will be responsible for clearing what areas at what intervals during a storm.
Backup Power Generation
Winter storms can lead to extended power outages in remote mountain areas. Having backup sources of electricity from solar panels, generators, or fuel cells will allow you to run lighting, communications equipment, and essential appliances if the grid goes down. Make sure any fuel for generators or cells is stored properly in outdoor rated containers.
Emergency Communication Systems
Ham and two-way radios, emergency radio receivers, and satellite phones will allow you to call for assistance if cell towers stop working during a blizzard. They can also help coordinate snow removal plans with neighbors.
Water Storage and Filtration
Store water in advance for drinking, cooking and hygiene in case water pipes freeze. Have methods on hand like filters and treatment tablets to purify collected rain or snow in a pinch.
Structural Reinforcements
Heavy snow loads on roofs, especially on sheds or barns, can cause collapse. Inspect structures for weak points in the fall and add extra bracing or support columns if needed before winter hits.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Well-Stocked Pantry as Cornerstone
A well-stocked pantry focused on non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods is essential for mountain homestead resilience. Prioritize items with long shelf lives that provide calories, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Some examples are rice, beans, lentils, oats, nuts, dried fruits, olive oil, honey, and pemmican. Rotate stock and track expiration dates.
Proper Storage for Maximum Longevity
Proper storage is key to preserving shelf life. Store items in airtight containers in cool, dark spaces with low humidity. Oxygen absorbers prevent oxidation while desiccants prevent moisture damage. Maintain ideal storage conditions tailored to each food type. Track and monitor.
Cooking Adaptability
Prepare for cooking during power/gas outages with non-electric backups like camp stoves, grills, or rocket stoves. Stock fuel sources like propane, wood, charcoal in case utilities fail. Know versatile cooking methods for diverse foods. Practice cooking with alternative equipment.
Comprehensive Emergency Planning
Create detailed contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, civil unrest, and other threats. Identify and mitigate weak points across water, food, medical, communication, security, and sanitation. Run emergency drills. Continuously improve preparations as risks evolve.
