No one knows when the next earthquake, hurricane, or other natural disaster will strike. Civil disturbances can occur in a very short period of time and require you to have the means to stay indoors for at least 72 hours, or maybe even longer.

But what if you had to stay inside for a week? How about a month? While every household should have some type of emergency preparedness supplies, how many households have enough supplies to last one to two months in case of an emergency? Many homes stock extra pantry items, such as canned food, along with emergency lighting, batteries, blankets, first aid kits, and other emergency supplies. However, the most important items in your survival stash should be food and water.

When creating a food storage strategy, consider some of these benefits of freeze-dried foods:

1. Long-term service life

Purchase #10 cans of freeze-dried food will keep for 25 years, depending on storage temperature. All major manufacturers of freeze-dried products make #10 cans, which is a standard method of food storage. The stored cans can be rotated for backpacking and camping trips, or simply rotated as part of normal meal prep. Even the smallest containers, like AlpineAire’s #2 ½ cans, have a 15-year shelf life, and small 2- and 4-serving bags of freeze-dried food last 7 years.

2. No cooking required, just add water

Many preparers underestimate the benefits of having freeze-dried foods that can be made quickly and easily by simply adding water. While hot water is desirable for the best flavor, in an emergency cold water will provide the same nutritional benefits. The last thing you want to do in a survival scenario is worry about different food combinations, since you want to put all your energy into keeping yourself or your family safe.

3. Food has intrinsic value

Food is a universal currency during a survival scenario. You can exchange it for other necessities such as medicines, protection or transportation. The value of your food is never wasted as you can rotate the food you buy in and out of your food storage. Finally, buying food now with an extended shelf life locks in the cost of food now, so in the event of strong price inflation, your freeze-dried food supply has already been paid for.

4.Other considerations

  • Food storage gives you peace of mind knowing you’re prepared in the event of a disaster.
  • You can supplement your freeze-dried food supplies with canned foods and foods that you use regularly but have a 1-2 year shelf life so they can double as food storage as well as an extended pantry.
  • Don’t forget to stock up on your favorite items such as coffees, teas, hot chocolate, candy, and anything else you consider luxury or comfort food. In times of crisis, these foods will help lift your spirits.
  • Consider whether you need to have smaller, more portable food storage units if the types of disasters you are preparing for may require you to move quickly. It’s nice to have a six-month supply of food storage in your basement, but if you can’t stay home during an emergency, you need the ability to gather your food and move quickly.

In summary, thinking seriously about how an emergency scenario might affect you should lead you to consider, among everything else, that food is a key element in your disaster planning.