Long-Term Survival Foods & Storage
Core Staples
1. Grains & Starches
- Cornmeal, wheat berries, rice, oats
- Storage: Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, sealed inside food-grade buckets. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Shelf life: 20–30 years (whole grains like wheat berries); 5–10 years for flour/cornmeal.
2. Beans & Legumes
- Pinto, black beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas
- Storage: Same as grains (Mylar + O2 absorbers).
- Shelf life: 20–30 years.
- Bonus: Sproutable for fresh greens.
3. Sugar & Honey
- Sugar: Granulated, brown, powdered.
- Honey: Naturally lasts forever if sealed.
- Storage: Airtight containers or original packaging inside a sealed bin.
- Shelf life: Indefinite (may clump, but usable).
4. Salt
- Essential for preservation and health.
- Storage: Airtight containers, away from moisture.
- Shelf life: Indefinite.
5. Fats
- Olive oil, coconut oil, lard, ghee, powdered butter
- Storage: Dark, cool places.
- Shelf life: 1–3 years (ghee lasts longer).
6. Other Useful Items
- Powdered milk, bouillon, dried vegetables, spices
- Add variety and prevent “food fatigue.”
Easiest Survival Crops (Urban-Friendly)
1. Potatoes
- Why: High calories per square foot.
- How: Use grow bags, buckets, or trash cans with drainage holes. Layer soil + seed potatoes, add more soil as they grow.
- Yield: 5–10× return on seed potatoes.
- You must: Diversify Species to prevent entire crop spoilage in case of disease
2. Sweet Potatoes
- Why: Edible leaves + tubers.
- How: Root slips in containers, trellis the vines.
- Storage: Cure and store in cool/dry place for months.
3. Beans
- Why: Dual-purpose (protein + nitrogen fixer for soil).
- How: Grow pole beans up trellises or balcony railings.
- Yield: Fresh beans + dry beans for storage.
4. Corn
- Why: Staple calorie crop, can be dried and ground into meal.
- How: Needs full sun; grow in clusters (at least 4x4 block for pollination).
- Urban tip: Use raised beds or rooftop planters.
5. Leafy Greens
- Examples: Kale, spinach, chard.
- Why: Fast-growing, continuous harvest.
- How: Grow in shallow containers; cut-and-come-again method.
6. Herbs & Medicine Plants
- Examples: Basil, mint, oregano, aloe.
- Urban edge: Grow in pots/windowsills. High utility with low space.
