The TRUTH About Food Storage

[@donnahbrnger5161]

I love your level-headed, common sense approach.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Absolutely. I’m 73 and I live alone. Do I need massive food stores that will last 25 years? I doubt it!

[@nadogrl]

Same here, but stocking for adult kids who aren’t.

[@lesleyhoban6559]

I'm 71 now .. we eat less and not as often . Neither of us is starving I have 3 fridge freezerS, 2 freezerS.. 1 huge!,1 mediun a d no room to make ice cubes ...I'm not sure where to store the home canned goods ...I'm not sure if I will live long enough to eat it all.. my canning has started to change .. I still can but more meal in a jar, I'm starting to tire and it's nice to grab off shelf, we r rural and in wi her it's great not to go out in the cold for food..and we have been storm bound more than once in the winter. I cud buy canned goods but I don't like the taste and both of us need to control salt sugar and fat intake ...im not knocking canned goods they have a place in pantry. I do need more fruit and veg on shelf. I find I'm much more choosy what I can and how much...we have no children, I have passed Down recipes and techniques to others. It's their time to prep and use that knowledge. I get joy from canning and baking, gardening .. I hope I can continue til my body holds how .. now much more choosy ...hi for listening this has been on my mind lots lately

[@PrepperPotpourri]

I like canning meals too. Easy to just heat and eat.

[@carolann4175]

I think if you bought your #10 cans back when real meat and vegies were part of the ingredients, you probably did good. Not only did you probably spend 50% less than they cost now, you got a better product. So that’s a reason to celebrate 🎉

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Never thought of that

[@deannamartin6827]

WHEN was that, exactly? I looked into long term food storage 30 years ago and saw a ton of TVP. Maybe if your talking about Mountain house, I would agree with you. The vast majority of labels were just empty calories and heavy on carbohydrates.

[@countryfrau8328]

I've thought about that. I can only imagine how expensive such stuff is now. I got it all as it went on sale starting in 2010 or so. I sure wouldn't be doing that today. As PrepperPotpourri is saying there are other was to be sure you have food.

[@Holly-ys1me]

I know that I was dupped. I purchased multiple buckets and #10 can of the Augason Farms. I was working on making meal pouches and I knocked one of the freeze dried off of the shelf. It did not rattle. I opened it up and it was a moldy clump. I opened up the buckets and they were bug infestations in all of them except for one. That one bucket was supposed to be 10 pounds of rolled oats but it only contained 5 pounds of rolled oats. In over $1000 worth of survival food, I only got 5 pounds of rolled oats. I have been going through my food storage and learning exactly what I have as I rework all of it. For example, all of the recipes that use flour only call for 2 cups of it. So I made 2 cup portions of flour. I use one recipe with flour each week so I put together 160 flour packs that are 2 cups each.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sorry to hear about your experience with freeze dried food. I did make Meals In Jars but it was really expensive to get all of the ingredients needed. I do think portion size is the way to go.

[@coppertone711]

My great grandmother and my great aunt kept a home canned pantry of home raised food. This has worked for my family, and I continue the tradition. I can beans and they kept dry beans. They canned a lot of fruit and vegetables. There are dates on my jars, and identification. Pressure cookers have made canning safe and practical.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sounds like a great pantry

[@Starrrwarrrs6rbluey]

But does it taste good?

[@Starrrwarrrs6rbluey]

If you like tasting cardboard

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

​@@Starrrwarrrs6rbluey I suppose that depends on what you place in your jars when canning. Nothing wrong with using herbs and spices. Even baby foods can taste wonderful homemade, not like totally tasteless foods sold in jars of Gerber baby food.

[@rebeccawoosley8241]

If you read the fine print - the #10 cans normally feed 6. If you need less servings, you're going to have to re-preserve the leftovers.

[@CioCieMaMom]

I never thought those were a good idea thanks for posting this info

[@keepcalmprepon]

When I did the math, it made sense to buy a freeze dryer and fill it with food that I knew where it came from. I calculated out that it would take 30-35 loads to pay for the machine, electricity, food inside it, bags, oil and O2 absorbers; then aftere that each load was the cost of electricity, food, bags, oil and O2's, where is significantly less than buying it commercially done for me. Now that said, there are times when the commercially done food is around the same cost or better than I can do, so I will buy it then. I also taught myself how to can and dehydrate, along with smoke meats - those preservation methods are also critical (IMO) to know too, and to do! So far as tasting the stuff in cans - we take them when we're camping and doing road trips - makes for an easy meal and no worry about jars breaking!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sounds like you are well prepared

[@keepcalmprepon]

@@PrepperPotpourri trying to be

[@Masterclassonlife]

So true! Too much fear porn. I LOVE canning foods. I realized the cost for home canned foods was a better bargain. Now I watch less SHTF videos and podcasts.

[@smalltownhomesteadAC]

I agree. I’m going through my food storage. I put so much work into it, and I have far too much. I’m happy with my freeze dried storage, although I need to inventory it. But all my other food storage, it’s too much and I won’t get any more freeze dried as it can be just used to suppliment what I can grow. Skills, growing and processing food, purchasing other items you need like tools, and repairing what you have, looking after what you have, learning how to produce yourself. I think I have prepper exhaustion as it creates so much clutter! Looking forward to clearing all my stuff out and just keep a small stock.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

De-cluttering can be energizing

[@connierodenburg129]

​@@PrepperPotpourri ...and exhausting! Thanks for your great videos!

[@EdimentalGardens]

This all comes down the time vs money. I have a full time job and hope to live for at least another 50 years, so I find a lot of value in freeze dried food

[@PrepperPotpourri]

If it works for you that is great.

[@seekingtruth1110]

I've always bought Augason Farms and bought when on sale. I've not spent a ton on it.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Excellent Advice!!! At 78, I don't worry about a long shelf life. Law of averages says I won't be around for the "Best Buy" date to arrive on long term storage items. FWIW... A number of years ago, I also set a shelf life goal of 5 years max, for rotation, even though I do store foods with a much longer life. Included in the 5 years are most low acid home canned foods. It works for me on the premise that, properly canned and stored, foods are safe to eat as long as the seal isn't broken. Nothing can get into the jar to cause spoilage. (Acidic foods, in glass, last much longer than those stored in metal cans.) I've eaten some 5 year old home canned foods, without a problem with texture, flavor or color. Yes, there's some nutrition loss. Some, not all! One of the reasons I extended the time to 5 years is because the older I become, the harder it is for me to do the work needed to put jars on the shelf. The more I can do now, with an extended reserve, the less these old hands have to do, in the future, as strength wanes. I'd rather have what's left of the nutrition in a 5 year old jar of sweet peas than to go hungry. On another note, *we can't store those long term freeze dried meals* here. For us old folks, the sodium content will kill us! Especially in a meltdown, we may not be able to have blood pressure meds refilled. One example, of a number of health related issues that prevent many people from using the popular, highly promoted, brands of just add hot water meals. If you store it with the intention of being able to use it 20 years later, *what will you do* if your doctor says you have heart problems, become diabetic or develop kidney function issues, for example? What will you do with those cases of No 10 cans of freeze dried sweet corn? Or have to face the dual issues a large supply of freeze dried bananas - both carbs and potassium content can be a serious health related issue. Consider carefully, for the future, what you put on your shelves. I grew up on a farm, where food preservation and a well stocked pantry was the norm. Never knew when a hail storm would wipe out the tomato crop for that year. So, we always canned more than what would be needed for the next harvest. Thirty years ago, it would not have dawned on me that my diet would be limited to the point, that I'd have to toss or give away food because I could no longer eat it. Yet, that's what happened.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good points about health and dietary needs may change

[@sandramulchahey8268]

Great video, I'm in the process of eating everything stored in our freezer and then restock, we do rotate through our stored food.

[@goodoz9942]

We've been opening cans of kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes recently and using them for chili. All of them (except for kidneys) are Costco vintage 2011. They are just fine. Stock several years of multi-vitamins to help offset any nutritional losses.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good reminder about the vitamins

[@sher-at-home]

I'm happy with my freeze dried foods, but I only have single ingredient items, actually meat only-- meat we actually eat. Other than that I have the staples of rice, beans, dry pasta, potato flakes, dried fruit, canned foods and a garden

[@midgeb.2863]

You can eat the FD before the self date. FD has a place in my storage. It is much lighter to move around and yes, it can dent the can but if it dents i don't loose the food. If i break a glass jar i loose all the food do to the glass in it!.

[@joycewilson6359]

I was raised on a farm so we always canned meats, lard, vegetables, fruits, jams, juices. I have carried on that method of food storage. We haven’t bought any of those #10 cans I would like to buy some butter, cheese and cream powder. Those would come in handy during certain situations.I do dehydrate several types of fruits and vegetables also. I have always rotated our storebought, canned and dry goods. We keep a running inventory on freezers, pantries. In the spring I go through freezers to pressure can any meats that get a little close to being in the freezer to long. That fills my easy meals back up and then we restock the freezers, actually the same with fruits, berries. I think every person has to figure out what works best for them. We never stock anything we don’t eat or like. That’s a great video.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Looks you have a great extended pantry

[@janethair1140]

I've got 16 cans of Auguson Farms products. I never paid full price on any of them. I waited for a sale. I use on a regular basis the Chopped Onions, Bell Peppers and Banana Chips. I never got any of the meats because of their cost. I have 2 can's of Potato Shreds and 2 of the slices. I also have tomato powder, butter powder and Peanut Butter powders. I also have Honey powder. That is the extent of what I have and the majority were under 10 bucks. My husband Loves the banana chips and when they go on sale for 9.99 a can, I snap up a couple. That said, I do can up a few things as well, and I love my canned products. I try to only get what we can use.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sounds like you have a plan that works for you

[@patriciaribaric3409]

I did like the taste of Mountain House spaghetti, but I had to take Alka Seltzer after eating it. I tried chicken crust pizza made out of a can of chicken with all the liquid pressed out. It's so good I'll never go back to bread. It was pretty awesome. One can chicken, one egg, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan. Mix well, press out on parchment covered pizza pan, bake till lightly brown, flip over, put on favorite toppings, bake till cheese is melty. It's delicious!!! I do like to add seasoning to the chicken mix. After the pandemic I'm thinking that long term storage food may still come in handy. We never know what's going to happen next. I too over spent on those cans.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

That pizza sounds good

[@MommaT1970]

We love that pizza too! Great use for canned chicken. It’s delish.

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Great video. I don’t have many #10 cans because of cost but I’m a canner and gardener and prefer that. I also live alone so it does not take that much food for me and I try to rotate through my canned goods.

[@sassyherbgardener7154]

I absolutely LOVE the fact that my freeze dried foods will last for years! Way LESS WORK than rotating all of those home canned jars of chicken, veggies, and other things. I have canned a large amount, and we do eat it to keep things from getting too old, but I do not have to worry about hurrying up to replace what we eat, or wonder if I have enough beef or pork, or whatever. It gives me PEACE OF MIND, and I would not trade that for anything. Also, when I saw that those freeze dried meats were $75, and the price of the Mountain House and Honeyville and Thrive Life foods were so expensive, we bought a freeze dryer instead. It has more than paid for itself! But, everyone has to come to their own solution about what is best for them, but I go with peace of mind. We live debt free, but if I had not had the money (tax return plus hustling side jobs) to buy my freeze dryer, I would have taken out a loan. God Bless and Keep Prepping!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Glad that it is working for you

[@dancinginabundance]

I've been guilty of the store and forget method. Thank you for the heads up. IMHO Shtf has happened so we are eating from our food stores and after a 1-month pantry challenge we barely made a dent in the supplies. There are only 2 of us and neither are keen on the idea of protecting our food stores or feeding the masses. Thanks again.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sounds like you have great emergency pantyr

[@merrilynhurd850]

Great points.

[@solunalunasol1211]

I actually believe in saving both homemade canned food as well as these canned food that last 25 years. There's something secure and comforting knowing you have food that is going to be good for over 25 years. Whereas canned food from home doesn't last nearly that long.

[@eminor42]

I did open the cans of beef chunks and chicken chunks and tried them in a few recipes. So awful! I gave some to my cousin, and only the dogs would eat the freeze-dried meat, not the people or even the chickens. Glad the dogs were happy, but that sure does make expensive dog food!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Yes and I bet my picky cats wouldn't eat them :)

[@susananderson9619]

Everyone is out to capitalize on the insecurity if our times ,they all want to make more money

[@Bob-67]

Totally agree with you. We have one year's supply of food that will keep under normal conditions for at least three or four years. We will eat that & rotate stocks within two years max. Never understood the obsession with long term food storage. Love your top, by the way. Very patriotic 👍

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Thanks. It is my Memorial Day & 4th of July top.

[@laurahender2365]

Great information and "food for thought' thanks.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Punny

[@sonyareeder7855]

I'm fairly new at prepping..though I'm no comparison to seasoned peppers my husband who is the voice of reason said to me..let's go through our inventory and and rotate through...that way it get used. Let's not just look at it.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Sounds like your husband is wise

[@countryfrau8328]

I did the same thing--every aspect. I'm now in my mid-60s and I'm telling my husband and adult children that when I die I hope they won't pitch it because it'll still be good. I mean, I garden etc and I have all these #10 cans of peppers and green beans! Ha! Plus so many other things i grow! The things I regularly use are the milk powder from the cannery for drinking and making yogurt, and i use freeze-dried sliced mushrooms and green peas. I also use dehydrated egg powder for baking and cheese powder and, on occasion, a handful of tvp as a meat extender. The only thing i would still buy like that would be cannery milk, and maybe an occasional egg powder and cheese powder and an occasional can of cannery carrots and dried apples. I completely agree with you on all points and thank you for being so revealing.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Makes sense

[@123gwilco]

This is why I like your channel. You always make sense without a lot of nonsense. Thanks because this is an issue I often grapple with.

[@LeonaRiley266]

I have been buying the # 10 cans over the years, but what I buy to stock up on are mostly items that in a SHTF situation would be most useful to incorporate in recipes with the goods that I packed in Mylar, and my home processed canned goods.Eggs and dairy items such as milk, butter and cheese. Vegetables to have on hand along with what I do or don’t dehydrate myself like onions, carrots,celery, peppers and a few potatoes. I have only purchased a couple of the #10 ready meals, for the same reason you mentioned, that you definitely can pressure can so many more complete meals and meats in a jar for far less money.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good plan

[@rbsamar]

Thk u for the information. I have been feeling that about way.

[@KaylynnStrain]

I only use gallon or smaller bags for my food storage since it's just me and a cat. I have a variety of canned foods, I don't can so I buy canned food. I do have freeze dried foods, comercially and home dehydrated food. I don't have a big freezer so I have to go at it another way

[@Ann_Palmer]

I dont regret my 10 cans I have bought because most were bought on sale and a few at a time and it got me to a “ quick starting” point . Now I am investing in canning and smaller Mylar bags I package myself

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good plan

[@shannoncraig509]

It depends on your target and goals. I personally have a food supply to hedge against inflation. My group buys food items in bulk/on clearance. The retired chef in the group does most of the cooking and freeze dries it. We bought a freeze dryer for the group and the buy the packing supplies as needed. The meals are packaged in 2-4 meal pouches or individual ingredients in pouches for longer term and vacuum sealed jars for use within 6 months to a year. The end result is if you compare the cost of freeze drying to commercial freeze died products, we are saving a ton of money. If you compare to the prices food when we bought it to prices of food today with inflation, it is still cost effective to freeze dry and use over time. If space is an issue for you, freeze dry individual ingredients that you believe will cost the most in the future. You are right about tailoring your prepping supplies to your needs and goals.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Wow, you have quite a group! Sounds like your pantries are well stocked.

[@WillowsGarden]

So far, I’ve never been impressed with the taste of that prepackaged meals. I’m a canner and I know it will taste better and a heck of a lot cheaper. Great information and advice. Have a blessed day!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Agreed

[@doloresterrell5334]

I truly agree. Just keep canning and you will always have food on your shelf. That’s what I do.

[@americafirst9144]

You can often get freeze-dried foods on sale for 60%-70%.

[@joeyhardin1288]

Same here. I just turned 64 and I prep for my family. 30 year shelf life, someone else is going to have to eat that. I am trying to get a canning class going for the young families at church. Thank you. God Bless and stay safe. EDIT: I am looking at making Meals-In-A-Jar with my long term foods.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

I am glad you are passing your canning skills on to the younger generation

[@helenvandagrifft5313]

I agree.. I don't buy a lot of freeze dried..except some cheese.. some baking mixes..and butter powder...simply cause..the baking mixes have a 5 year life and flour goes rancid in less time...cheese is hard to store long periods and butter is also.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

That makes sense

[@LindasPantry]

Great discussion😊

[@iamme4ever24]

Great video as usual. I grew up canning ( over 40+ years now). I freeze dry now and you're so right. My own meat sauce is much better. The #10 cans purchased years ago are definitely a safety net. You're so right, tomorrow is not promised to us which it may be an inheritance to my kids.

[@TheLordHumungus]

I think a lot of us follow a similar sort of path, but I don't view it as a mistake, or regrettable, its a normal process. especially since that freeze dried stuff is still good, and you got it WAY cheaper than you can now! And also with most things in my own prepping journey, Instead of trying to find one "best" solution, I think it makes more sense to treat all the options like tools that each have their own purpose. So for meats and veggies I store what I eat and eat what I store. Frozen and canned. For rice, oats, and dry goods, its sort of both. I use from my storage, but I have way more than I would normally use in a year (I eat way more meat heavy now than I expect to in a major disaster) so it would be years until I may cycle through it. and with some things like eggs, they are totally separate. I just use fresh eggs in everyday life, and have dehydrated eggs for my food storage that I don't ever expect to use unless disaster strikes. I don't want to use dehydrated eggs on a daily basis, and fresh eggs are awkward and difficult to store long term.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Very true about eggs although are chickens give us plenty :)

[@TheLordHumungus]

@@PrepperPotpourri i definitely miss having chickens!

[@Mcv2023]

Another thing is once you open them the shelflife expires

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good point

[@paulineparker3662]

At the beginning of my prepping I thought buying freeze dried foods was the thing to do. Listening to you and other preppers I’ve learned that it’s not necessary. Once again thank you for your thoughts and information. I’m still learning and trying to be wiser in my selections.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Yes I think we all evolve as Preppers. We are wiser now than before.

[@KoniB.]

Wow! Finally, something to say for our own canning preps, and the difference that you need to think on! THANK YOU FOR THIS TRUTHFULNESS about what and where we should be spending. You are 100 % right. Make sure we hear about this again.

[@Lintriage]

Oh boy - this has been an eye opener for me as well. I have cans and cans of Thrive Life food but in the pantry size, not the #10 can. However still an expense and not the best value for us. Thanks for being honest and sharing with us.

[@sue3693]

Wow, good point. Thank you.

[@Jazbo777]

Thanks fir this great lesson. At first I did buy several #10 cans of dehydrated and freeze dried food, but now only regular can groceries. With soaring prices and news of world chaos I am glad I started prepping. I’m very thankful for your channel ❤

[@dancinginabundance]

I fell into the freeze dried food trap too. I only buy what is on sale at the grocery store and pressure can it. Canning like that saves a lot of money and over time provides a great variety of meats and veggies. We eat our home canned goods, older foods first supplemented with seasonal veggies and it has made a huge difference in our food bill.

[@littleredhen3354]

100% agree! Ive always gone for the best bang for my buck instead of those expensive prepper food packets.

[@MichaelR58]

Good video and points , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@JayP-kd5rc]

Very good advice. Thank you. I have some freeze dried things, but not many. I have canned meats myself, and bought some canned meats. I store what will be used. Thank you.

[@marygallagher3428]

Very good point Mary Ellen!

[@sandysimpson9]

Great video with good questions that we need to ask. I’ve always thought worrying about having something that will keep 25 years was, frankly, ridiculous. I don’t think I’ll be around that long.

[@ashlipope5079]

Thank you very much. I did buy quite a few cans. I agree about the canned meats for sure. I never had it in me to spend what they wanted for the meat so I got more canned meat. After I have spine surgery I want to learn how to can my own meat. Rotating through is hard so I have a stop spend right now to eat at home and work through what I have. I was homeless before due to a bad at wreck and was food poor. Even though I'm stable now I think I had a little ptsd that made me stock the cans at first out of fear . God bless and thank you for your voice of reason.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

I am still learning on how to rotate. You are right it is hard.

[@ashlipope5079]

@@PrepperPotpourri thank you!🌼🙏

[@lisamariesmith3610]

Being poor at one time does tend to make us want to keep extra food on hand. I also hesitate to throw things out. Side effects of those hard times.

[@kj7653]

Bless you. I too struggled in the past with food insecurity. It still affects me when I go grocery shopping.

[@juliaconner5445]

Good video, as usual. You gave something to think about! Thank you.

[@tarabishop8499]

Great message❤❤❤

[@melissa7041]

Account for inflation in 20 years. Would it still be a better piece of mind?

[@carolinehatley3783]

I like your thinking on prepping. I am been canning for 4 years off and on and have a lot to learn. I am beginning to realize what I need in my pantry and what I need to can. 2leelou and Linda’s Pantry are in a collaboration of No buying Meat for 6 months so they can clean their freezers. I love this. It is teaching me to plan my weeks meal and not wait until the last minute to figure out what I am going to make. I love it.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Love their collab too

[@kiddlesnmore2]

I have a few freeze dried fruits and soup mixes but mostly store bought canned and home dehydrated foods. I went overboard when I started prepping, and bought foods I don’t normally eat because I wanted variety. Then my family moved in with me and they like those foods I bought. I would rather have a choice of what to eat than eating tree bark & bugs. 🥴🤢🤮

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Me too

[@KellyS_77]

"Eat what you store and store what you eat." I don't eat freeze dried food regularly, and so I don't store it. I've been doing food storage for over 20 years. I never really got into the whole freeze dried phenomena. I did have a few freeze dried "pouch meals" back when I did a lot of hiking and camping, and they did come in handy as an option for food when our power and/or water was out (way more frequently than you'd think given where we lived). The two exceptions are freeze dried peas which I really like to use in my cooking, and freeze dried strawberries that we love putting in cereal or oatmeal. I usually buy those in a 6 pack and restock when I open my second to last can (or if there's a fabulous sale). My food storage goal is to have about one year worth of the foods that we eat every day (or at least on a regular basis). That includes home canned, commercially canned, and all kinds of dry goods like pasta. I keep an additional year worth of the foods that store particularly well. So I have a 2 year supply of rice, pasta and beans. Is it a "survival" food? No, not really. But if there really was a massive TEOTWAWKI type event, it would help us stretch our one year supply out long enough that we would be able to ramp up our gardening efforts to compensate. Even our longer term food gets rotated through regularly. I try not to have anything in my food storage that is more than 3 years old. As one of my prepping gurus always says, prepping (and food storage) is "For when times get tough, or even if they don't."

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Very good plan.

[@acerrubrum5749]

Remember, freeze dried meat is still meat. Opened, they are OK on the counter for a day, in the fridge for 2 weeks, longer they have to be in a jar vacuum sealed. Humidity in the air will hydrate them enough to allow bacteria to grow. When I figured out how much freeze dried vs fresh meat, veg, converted to price per pound... wowzer! 😮 As always excellent, thank you.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Exactly!

[@Winterlily20]

Information, thank you so much for the comparisons😊

[@donnazack]

I'm so glad you did this, I feel the same way as you. I do not have the money to buy freeze dried food. But I do can and dehydrate food. And stock what we eat regularly.

[@MichiganMike]

great points, thank you

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hi prepper, this was a very good video. Very logical and well presented. I don't have any freeze-dried, I bought about a dozen types of bulk food from the Mormons online in 2015. They are all a number 10 cans. I have taught myself to cook with them and incorporate them into my diet if needed. But to be honest, except for the oats and beans and onions and apples and powdered milk. I rarely use them. I am going to be experimenting with grinding up the beans into powder with my Vita mix in case I have to use them in the future and they are too hard to cook. Your information about the cost of the freeze-dried and comparing to regular canned food was very helpful for a lot of people, I'm sure. If I had a freeze dryer and access to a large garden or fish and game etc. I think a freeze dryer would be great. Otherwise it's pretty expensive. Hopefully we will never have to use this stuff. I look at it as insurance. I pay $1200 here for car insurance and only drive the car a few hundred miles. So it's hard for me to get upset over the money I spent on my food. But I agree with you. We need to make our money well spent and not waste it.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Yes, thinking of it as insurance is a good idea.

[@jenniferoceanhomestead]

Food you can only lasts as long as the jar lid holds its seal… they have been making them so cheaply now that the lids aren’t made to hold a seal past 18 months (legally stated on the packages that 18months is the max … it may not even hold a seal for 1 day) Freeze dried is the better value because you know it won’t go bad … can food could lose the seal at any moment and you lose the whole jar of food !!!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

I only once have had a jar seal go bad on my shelves in all of the years I have canned. I switched from Ball lids to ForJars lid last year but I did not have any problems with Ball. Some of my juices are 5 years old and no lid problems.

[@PreparednessVeteran]

A mixture can be good particularly freeze dried, but way too expensive. Store or grow to make what you eat, other than that I'd prefer tin/canned food for storage/robustness. Depends on the threat people are faced with and the maintenance a person is prepared to put into their preps, but people should definitely try out their food storage stuff. Canned/Tinned food also has built in spoil indicators to determine viability. Stay safe, stay well, have fun. 👍

[@PrepperPotpourri]

You too!

[@thekingsdaughter7888]

All of this sounds real good but home canned foods are difficult to transport to a plan B location. The #10 cans and 5 gallon buckets can be quick loaded into my truck for the long drive and last me for as long as necessary. Thanks for your vidos.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Great point

[@terrimaddox3090]

Loads of things to think about !

[@lori3488]

This is such a great video! Thank you😊

[@JamieHitt]

To be honest, I’m all about the set it and forget it foods with 25+ years shelflife. For me, that was the entire point. BUT, I don’t mess around with the expensive prepackaged items. I see no benefit. I did the obligatory eight. Pinto beans, white rice, oats, pasta, potato flakes, instant coffee, salt, and sugar. And I used quart sized mylar for everything. Without rationing, it’s a seven year supply for each person. Done and dusted. Minimal expense. And I have no plans to rotate it. I just inspect it from time to time. And to be honest, if it ever has to be used, …well, in that situation food will be the least of our worries. So I don’t care about flavor or variety. So that frees us up to do whatever we please with our short and medium term food preps. And that’s essentially an ungodly amount of canned and frozen foods. But no, I have zero regrets over the very small investment made for the long-term food supply.

[@coppertone711]

Your planning is solid to me. The only difference I added dry milk in a few cans. I do have some bulk water storage.

[@JamieHitt]

@@coppertone711 Yeah, we did several tubs of the cocoa and the powdered milk. I didn’t include that because I’m only expecting 10 or 15 years out of those. The shelves are filled up with cases of bottled water, several gallons of drinking water, and I’ve got 15 of those 5 gallon jugs with handles against the wall. I don’t think I can put any more there without being served divorce papers. Lol.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Yes, it works for you and you have the space for all of it.

[@JamieHitt]

@@PrepperPotpourri Very true point. But the same can be said for putting out a garden. You either have the room or you don’t. Some people have to bring home groceries on a bicycle. We are all differently blessed. But we are all blessed.

[@Barbara-jn2gw]

Very wise

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Thank you Mary Ellen. You are right.

[@joylouise5417]

Very insightful. Thank you so much.

[@WittyWhimsicals]

This is an excellent video! You have helped me realize, too, that I don't need to purchase those expensive freeze-dried foods. Thanks so much.

[@goat9199]

You're the cooolest grandma on youtube.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Thanks. You made me smile :)

[@merrycraker1262]

I agree with you! I have a few #10 cans, mostly potatoes, bread mix and pancake mix but only 1 can of freeze dried eggs because the prices went way up. So since I'm on a low fixed income, I just get a few extra cans every month when I shop. It's not a lot but at my age I dont need a can that's good for 30 years. And I have a dehydrator for things I want to dehydrate, some of the #10 foods are not freeze dried but dehydrated so I saved up and bought a dehydrator, I can dehydrate my own foods for much less. Thanks for this video!!

[@nmr6988]

I'm so appreciative of your common sense and good advice.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

And I am appreciative of your long time viewership!

[@sandiegoskin]

I did buy a variety of Auguson. I am new to all this as of this month, but I’m glad I have it. Now I am focusing on 1 year and learning all the methods that will work for me. I think we all have to do what works best for us and have multiple options help depending on that. Thank you for all the information to think about!

[@2leelouCreates]

That's great info! It's important for people to really think about what their prepping lifestyle is. Actively using and adding home canned foods is what I prefer. Others may find peace of mind knowing they can just get it and forget it. Also, I always consider how long one of those large cans is good once it's opened and if I'd use it before it is no longer good. Some food I would and some I wouldn't. So that creates a situation for a mix of food storage items, too.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

That is very true about the large cans. I hadn't thought about that.

[@tracyl5070]

I try to just buy single ingredient long term storage foods. That way it's easier to use in our current meals if needed. Should also say I haven't bought any long term meats because they just cost to much.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

They are terribly pricey

[@redhatpat9387]

Great video. The only thing I have in the long term Freeze Dried foods is eggs, butter, cheese, cream & buttermilk (and maybe some celery ;) . Everything else is store canned veggies and tomatos (more cost efficient) or meat canned by me (except for tuna and SPAM). Currently I am concentrating on "specialty" items for my diabetic WOE - mostly a variety of flour alternatives and sugar substitutes - always purchased ON SALE!

[@HuplesCat]

If you do a cents per calorie comparison these long term foods fail. If you do a nutritional comparison, they are a total fail. 25 year food storage is for those with 25 years of food. If you have a year or two use the grocery store. Namaste 🙏 PS preppers who push these prepper foods are scum

[@charmainemrtnz]

You are amazing. Thank you.

[@kellyname5733]

Im on board with you 100%. I have never planned for any of my prepped food to be eaten over 2-3 years. Yes to canning only what you like/love. I do have some things that I dont eat very often rice/pasta but they will last for about 1-2 years, longer if I vacuum seal it up.

[@lindyc.2552]

I agree!!! I have just a couple long term cans in my stock. Recently, I have been debating on getting more. I have been going back and forth over these same arguments.

[@jamiejocribbs9216]

Thank you. This is an awesome video!! I’ve thought about those #10 cans!! Once opened , then you still need to preserve it. More work. Love this video

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Thank you

[@carolyn3543]

Thanks for reminding me about the acid in my canned tomatoes. I should try to dehydrate my older tomato products this summer.

[@daval5563]

Thank you for your video. I started with a goal of three years worth of food for three people. I had no problem with a five year shelf life. I shoot for as long a shelf life as I can get now with Mylar and Oxygen Absorbers. You know, just in case. I now have my monthly stipend along with my pension check of $132.00 and a small windfall. Lets say I have $650.00 to spend on preps. Average those number 10 cans at $50 a piece here in Canaduh, and I would have 13 cans of freeze dried, long life crap. Oops! I mean long life "food". 13 number 10 cans, ... really, how long would that last realistically? Here's what I'm getting today. My largest single one time prep ever. I'm truly blessed. The 50lb of Baking Soda is "Out Of Stock", but it was $54.52 (I'm tired of buying one lb or four lb at a time and it's now over $2 a 1lb box) 20kg (44lb) sugar, $35.58 50lb Popcorn, 68.75, ... comfort food, plant in garden, and make Cornmeal. 20kg (44lb) Long Grain Rice, $43.64, X 3 = $132.00 rough estimate. (I already have two bags and I want 200lb)(done deal) 25kg, (55lb) five gallon bucket of Molasses, $99.25 (I'm down to two gallon in my home store) 15kg (33lb) bucket of Coconut Oil, $116.72 (beats buying it in 1lb metal cans for $5.25 a pop) One gallon Soy Sauce. $17.85 X 2 = $36.00 (I decant this stuff into glass for long term storage)(Bleep plastic) Number 10 can of Nacho Cheese sauce, $24.73, (this is a new one for me and I "may" decant into pints and re-process)(I may not too) 1kg (2.2lb) Jell-O cheesecake mix, $16 X 2 = $32 (more comfort food) That's only $545.00 so, ... 10kg (22lb) Green Lentils, $35.00 Extra 20kg sugar, $35.58 Real lemon juice, one liter, $3.58 X 10 = $35.80 There! That will do. I do have a little wiggle room money wise along with the gas money I'll need. Still, I'll need another 10 food grade buckets with lids, $100.00 Those things will come. Slowly, slowly. I still have my barrels to fill. Anywho, I'll pass on those 13 cans of freeze dried food thank you, ... for now anyway. I thought I would be slowing down with my prepping and here I have doubled down. Silly me. Turned myself into a liar again. Did I mention the 60 pints of Bar Clams I managed to process? Man, what a job that was. Took me four days. 100 grams of Clam meat is 28.3 grams of protein along with other good stuff. There must be 400 grams in a pint. (500ml mason jar) Sugar is a commodity "they claim" is running out. HUGE shortages, ... I'm taking no chances. Mind you, my sugar usage will drastically change come post SHTF. I'll not be putting up cases of produce like I've done in the past, ... I'll just process what is needed with any luck at all. For instance, we only need a case of Sweet Mustard Pickles and I'd put up three, .... over zealous maybe? I haven't made Pickles in two years now. The price of whole Wheat is DOWN again. I just called the Grain Elevator and a ton of Wheat is only $340.00. A ton of whole Oats is $305. Go figure. I'm getting more of that stuff too, ... as soon as I'm done with the Wholesalers that is. And I think I'm done. BUT! I've been known to turn myself into a liar in the past. Sad but true. If I don't eat these grains, I'm sure my chickens will. Maybe a goat or two. OK, I'm just killing time until the good sister arrives to give me the day off. Keep up the great work and good luck.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Good shopping list. You can buy so much more food than just spending it on a #10 can.

[@daval5563]

@@PrepperPotpourri Something that shocked me was the price of instant Mashed Potatoes. They now cost $215 for a 40lb bag. The first bag I bought was $130 two years ago. ... then it hit $177, .. and I didn't buy. Now it's $215 and it's "Out Of Stock". If it's back in stock next month, I'm getting a bag. You see, Mum is off the Rice, god bless her. So I'm prepping the potatoes for her. Good luck.

[@lindamcclellan8434]

Excellent….took away of much anxiety….I felt the same way but looked to others for guidance.

[@pinschrunner]

If you are planning on "expiring" (as you indicated) before your freeze dried preps, please pass them to me in your estate. Just a joke, but seriously, the older food is probably healthier for a number of reasons that I will skip here. I don't prep, I just live with extra supplies as a way of life because hurricanes left us with an interrupted supply chain for 5 months in 2004. This was a way of life for my parents and grandparents, merely because they lived far from a grocery store and they gardened. Best wishes for everyone!

[@PrepperPotpourri]

I think having extra supplies qualifies as prepping :)

[@pinschrunner]

@@PrepperPotpourri I guess that newbies now call it prepping, like stockpiling for an apocalyptic event, whereas for us, it is merely a way of life. I always feel that we do need more apocalyptic supplies to be called preppers. 🌞🙏✔️

[@vernonbowling5136]

Love it we have an advocate looking out for us preppers.

[@Barbara-jn2gw]

Thank you for this, very helpful. Your top is so cute on you.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Thanks. I bought it for the Memorial and 4th of July holidays.

[@merrilynhurd850]

I was thinking about all you mentioned a few weeks ago too. I made my first order in May in Thrive Life. I only bought a few items because there are ingredients in the meal bags that aren’t good for me.

[@lindamcneil711]

I agree… short rotation is where I am heading. I have some great freeze dried foods. The single ingredients have great nutrition.

[@katherine-o5l]

I had a friend who spent $3000. 20 years ago on food storage, she never ate any of it, I suggested to her that the idea that you use the food and replace so to rotate, and I suggested that $3000 invested for 20 years might be a good thought. I never got into food storage because I have major allergies, I can't have grains, beans , Poultry, Pork, or fish, dairy, no chocolate, no eggs, and more foods I am allergic too. My diet consists of vegetables, and fruits, I am not going to worry if I can't eat, I am76 and I won't live forever. I don't have the money to, but I used to stock freeze dried fruits, and vegetables but they are now way out of my price range. I just bought a brand new dehydrator my second Excalibur, I will be working on my food storage soon.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

Dehydrating is a great way to preserve food

[@horselover1124]

Thank you, thank you, for your true wisdom on this topic. I bought some of those long shelf dried foods for the future, but I agree it’s cheaper to buy canned goods and store what we eat.

[@dsawyer8]

I'll take home canned over freeze dried any day. The flavor and variety is miles beyound freeze dried. Only down side is temperature and fragility of the container.

[@PrepperPotpourri]

True