How to Build Your Own Survival Food Kit
Anyone who has followed Rugged Man for any period of time will know just how seriously we take preparedness.
Living in the most comfort-seeking country on the planet, where most folks don’t consider much where their next meal is coming from, has made the majority of our population soft and complacent.
By design, we have been softened. With tenacity, we must harden again.
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
In fact, for many years if anyone has ever given a thought to disaster preparedness, it is usually in a movie or on television, and the vast majority of folks have a notion that surely we could never face such trying times.
However, in light of current events, a lot of people are starting to wake up and pay attention to the sorry state of things. We have now had a glimpse of what a tiny little bit of scarcity looks like and how people will react and we see that it is not well.
Shelves emptied over the course of 2020 in a frenzy. We are witnessing things under way that used to be thought of as “that could never happen” scenarios.
Well, a lot is happening now, isn’t it? And, it appears the clown show is not slowing down, but rather, accelerating. Without being alarmist, perhaps we have not yet seen the extent of what is to come.
Supply lines are being throttled and there are those who wish to destroy anything sacred, those positioned high and low, waiting (from within and without) for an opportunity to burn it to the ground over the least little thing that can fit into their narrative.
Not to mention all of the considerations we must always be aware of like natural disasters and strategic and targeted attacks on our infrastructure.
Having your family prepared to take action in such events is your responsibility as a Rugged Man.
Today we’re going to talk about long term food storage. We here at Rugged Man believe that you should take matters into your own hands.
This includes building your own survival food kit over every other option. It is a better way to go for a 2 or 3 year plan for better nutrition and morale.
However, there is some value in buying long-term food storage kits. It is as easy as the click of a button and most of these last 25 to 30 years, or so they say.
In the world of survival food kits, there is a lot of garbage out there. Doing some research will help you to make the right decisions for you and yours.
Let’s take a look at some things to consider before investing your hard earned dollar in long term food storage.
How Much Food Should I Have Stored?
The best answer here is at least 3 months and this is not hard to do. You do not have to go out to the grocery and spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars tomorrow. This is a slow and steady build, which is a staple of having a preparedness mindset.
Start out with a week and build from there. Over time, and before you know it, you’ll have your 3 months supply. Then, rotate and repeat.
Remember, just like they do at the grocery store, rotate your stock by date of expiration. We’ll touch more on that shortly.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says you should have 3 days worth of non-perishable food on hand for your entire family. This is laughable, and frankly, pathetic.
Trusting the “Department of Anything” should be avoided on most topics concerning your family’s well-being, as one may gather.
The Red Cross and FEMA suggest having a two-week supply on hand. This is a start, but still not good enough.
At a bare minimum, you should have a month supply of non-perishable food, ready to eat.
What Foods Should I Stockpile for Survival?
When deciding what to store in your long-term food preps, consider the dietary needs, and wants, of your entire family. Take a look at what is already in your pantry that your family uses on a regular basis.
Chances are, if it is not in regular rotation, you will never eat it and it will just go bad eventually, like flushing money down the drain. Also, if it is in regular rotation in your pantry, chances are your family enjoys this food and this is good for morale.
Speaking of morale, without going overboard, have a few items that are tasty and “fun”. This does not have to be unhealthy and may include instant coffee or sugar-free cookies. Though, not ideal, these items will help boost morale if you’re in a tough situation.
Rotation should consist of putting newer items/longer expiration goods in the back and keep an eye on the expiration date. When something in your long-term preps gets close to expiring, eat it. Just remember to replace it with a new item and position it in the back again, and repeat, on and on.
Take note of health conditions and take some time to understand the nutritional needs of your family.
For instance, if your father has heart problems and high blood pressure, you’re probably going to want to store some low sodium items. Usually, these considerations will benefit the whole family as well.
A lot of people make the mistake of stocking up on things for the sake of the life of the item only or what they’ve always understood to be “survival” food.
While these are important considerations, if you don’t know how to make rice or cook dry beans, and you don’t have a way to heat water, it would be foolish to buy a bunch of sacks of rice and dry beans. These will eventually turn into over-priced sandbags and mouse food.
And, last but not least, consider buying a decent amount of canned good with a pull tab to open. These are ready to eat right out of the can, require no heat or water, or even a can opener (though you should have a couple of those on hand as well).
This is especially important to cater to our friends and family who aren’t set up for emergency cooking, or the elderly and children.
In list form, below, are some options.
Rice & Beans (if you know how, and have the means to prepare them)
Bulk Sea Salt (Underestimated in survival. We must have salt to survive)
Protein/Energy Bars (in bulk)
Morale Building Foods (sugar-free snacks or coffee)
Whatever else you can think of that is a custom fit for you and yours
WAYS TO PRESERVE YOUR OWN FOOD
Something to consider is making an initial investment and start making your own dehydrated foods and doing your own canning.
With a good quality dehydrator, you can dehydrate just about anything and in the long run this will save you money and help you decide what it is you’re putting back for long-term food storage for you and your family.
Chefman Food Dehydrator
The Chefman Food Dehydrator allows you to naturally preserve and extend the life of your food and save money by buying fresh foods and making healthy dehydrated snacks at home that you can store for longer periods of time.
Adjustable thermostat includes 14 temperature presets ranging from 95˚F - 158˚F ( 35˚C - 70˚C) to help you get just the right temperature. An integrated countdown timer allows you to dehydrate for up to 19.5 hours at a time for picture perfect results, and automatically shuts off when the time is up.
Optimal airflow for even drying of food without overheating. Transparent viewing window allows you to keep an eye on your food during the dehydrating process.
What Do You Need to Start Canning?
Canning is a skill that has incredible value and is well worth learning. There are three tested and approved methods for home canning and food preservation. Those are pressure canning, water bath canning, and atmospheric steam canning.
These processes heat food up hot enough to destroy harmful and spoiling bacteria, like botulism spores that can survive in boiling water, safely in sealed jars to put on your shelf for long-term preservation.
Pressure canning is the method that we suggest and to get started is as easy as a few clicks. The main things you’re going to need to get started are:
All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker
The All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker holds approximately 19 standard regular mouth pint jars or 7 standard regular mouth quart jars; The perfect Canner for all your canning needs!
Made of durable, hand-cast aluminum with an attractive, easy to clean satin finish. The positive action clamping wing nuts permit easy opening and closing. Sturdy phenolic top handle and exclusive "metal-to-metal" sealing system for a steam-tight seal, so no gaskets to crack, burn, replace or clean.
This Canning Kit, 35pcs Canning Supplies Starter Kit contains everything you need to prepare your first batch of long-term storage food for pressure canneing or water bath canning.
The set provides 35pcs essential canning accessories:. Canning funnel, stainless steel jar lifter, jar wrench, tongs, lid lifter, bubble popper/bubble measurer tool, ladle, 4 piece measuring cups, 24 piece mason jar labels for canning jars.
This Mason Jars/Canning Jars 24 Pack inludes 8 x 4oz , 8 x 8oz, 8 x 12oz, with 12 silver lids & 12 golden lids. It also includes 24 labels.
These mason jars are made of a pure glass material which is extremely safe, BPA and lead free.
The rust-free aluminum lids and caps are airtight, which means your foods stay fresher longer.
Great for food storage with durable glass and dishwasher safe.
Alright, now that we have covered the basics of long-term food storage practices and have taken a look at a basic list of what you need to get started, lets take a look at some options that you may want to consider when you set out to Build Your Own Survival Food Kit!
Disclosure: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate & CJ Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only feature products that we believe in and use ourselves. Your support means the world to us and allows us to host this website. Thank you!
How To Build Your Own Survival Food Kit
Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt 15 lbs Extra-Fine Grain
Notice how this is the first thing on our list today. Obviously, you need real food to survive.
But, did you know that your body also has to have salt to survive? Quality is the key here, so dump the iodized and get with the Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salts. Don’t underestimate the importance of good quality salt in your diet.
Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt 15 lbs Extra-Fine Grain is Non-GMO, and does not contain any MSG, Soy, Gluten, Dairy, or anti-caking agents.
Pink Himalayan salt is great for seasoning meats, grilled vegetables, a variety of salads (such as pasta, egg or potato salads), soups & stews and blends well into recipes when baking.
15 lbs. of Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt should last you and your family a very long time if stored properly.
Season Kipper Snacks Boneless Herring Fillets Wild Caught & Sustainable Fresh Fish (Pack of 12) and other deep-sea saltwater fish are extremely rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, proven to protect against coronary heart disease.
Herring offer high Omega-3 benefits compared to other fish and are an excellent source of natural fish oils.
They provide a convenient way to incorporate the nutritional benefits of fish oils into your diet
An excellent source of protein, the Wellsley Farms White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water (6 Count) is a convenient solution to making meals.
Made of white-meat, this fully-cooked chicken is great for salads and sandwich wraps, or to just eat right out of the can.
6 servings per container Gluten-free Made in the USA Includes six 12.5-oz. cans of chicken breast
Dakota Trails Moist Kippered Beef Jerky comes in a 10 lb. bulk vacuum sealed bag.
This bag is perishable once opened so it must be consumed or frozen ASAP.
Kippered Jerky is a thicker, moister cut.
Great for mid to long-term storage or camping, hiking, hunting, road trips and more.
Try all the flavors! BBQ, Sweet & Hot, Teriyaki, Peppered, and Original.
A simple good source of protein and iron.
White long-grain rice is an affordable pantry staple that can be so much more than a side dish. Its neutral flavor allows it to mix into both savory and sweet dishes to make filling, low-cost meals.
Providing that you have the means to, and know how to, prepare it, white long grain rice will be something you want to always have in your long-term food storage.
Mountain High Organics Certified Organic/Non-GMO White Long Grain Rice comes in a 40 lb. bucket and has oxygen absorbers inside which extends the unopened shelf life from 370 days to 10+ years.
Pacific Foods Organic Free Range Chicken Broth is the perfect combination of organic free range chicken, sea salt and just the right amount of seasonings to make this broth rich and full of flavor.
Use this chicken broth as a base for soups, risottos and pasta dishes, and add flavor and depth to your favorite recipes. Pacific Foods Organic Free Range Chicken Broth comes in 24-pack of 8-ounce cartons that are the perfect size for any recipe.
Pacific Foods Organic Free Range Chicken Broth is fat-free and gluten-free, and made with nothing but the highest quality organic ingredients.
Once Again Natural Creamy Peanut Butter - 9lb Bucket is made by roasting and grinding blanched, dry roasted peanuts until they are wonderfully creamy.
This product has just one ingredient, peanuts!
Here we combine some good healthy fats and calories with an added bonus, it boosts morale!
Unsweetened, Salt Free, Gluten Free Certified, Non-GMO
Clif Whey Protein Bars are a delicious and satisfying gluten free snack made with 14g of protein to help curb your hunger and keep you going. High protein meets 5g sugar in this crispy, light-textured, chocolaty protein bar.
I occasionally will rely on Clif Bars in my pack and keep some in storage. The Clif Whey Protein Bars are a great new discovery for me. Although we wouldn’t call this “nutritious”, they are a healthier option than a normal Clif Bar.
And, they’re delicious, making them great for the kids, and even your own, morale!
French Style Green Beans (Pack of 12) will work great as a stand-alone accompaniment or a delicious ingredient. You can mix it with pasta and other veggies or add seasonings for an extra flavor kick.
No Preservatives: With no artificial flavors, non-GMO, and non-BPA, these beans are perfect for elevating any meal.
Filled with three simple, Natural Ingredients: green beans, water, and a dash of sea salt, they cook in minutes and will allow you to save time when preparing your next meal.
Here, we cover a lot of bases with the Dinty Moore Beef Stew (Pack of 12) .
These cans are pull tab and ready-to-eat, right out of the can.
We’ve got chunks of meat for protein and vegetables for some nutrient value.
It’s not perfect, but it will keep you going with calories and energy.
10g of protein per serving
Wild Soil Beyond Almonds have naturally 20% more protein than other almonds and are eco-farmed with certified biochar in carbon rich virgin soil and without any toxic/sterilizing class 1 pesticides or herbicides such as Roundup/glyphosate.
They contain naturally occurring prebiotics/probiotics and are grown in soils our forefathers knew – biodiverse and productive.
Raw California Almonds. Non-GMO. Steam pasteurized (no chemicals or fumigants used). Unsalted. Now in a resealable bag!
The Traina Home Grown - All American - Sun Dried Fruit Blend is made with diced peaches, cranberries, blueberries, apples, and golden raisins.
A great snack packed in a resealable 5 pound bag for your convenience. Enhance the flavor and nutrition of your salad, oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, cereals, and more. This 5 lb. box is full of a diced real fruit
MADE IN THE USA
The ReadyWise - Cook-in-Pouch variety pack comes with 8 customer favorites including Crest Peak Creamy Pasta & Chicken, Dessert High Chili Mac with Beef, Old Country Pasta Alfredo with Chicken, Still Lake Lasagna with Sausage, Trailhead Noodles & Beef, Treeline Teriyaki Chicken & Rice, Sunrise Strawberry Granola Crunch, and 2 Appalachian Apple Cinnamon Cereal pouches (9 total pouches)
Each pouch contains 2.5 servings (22.5 total servings per kit)
Just add hot water and eat directly from the resealable pouches, no plates or bowls necessary.
Perfect for hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, or any outdoor adventure and can be stored for up to 15 years
MADE IN THE USA
Franklin's Finest Survival Coffee 720-Servings by Patriot Pantry is 100% pure gourmet Columbian coffee gently freeze-dried to preserve flavor. It is easy to prepare, all you need is water! Re-sealable 60-serving pouches are the perfect size for travel or trade.
Coffee is another item not to be underestimated when it comes to boosting morale. Franklin's Finest Survival Coffee 720-Servings by Patriot Pantry is the first ever Emergency Coffee With a True 25-year Shelf Life!
"Among the numerous luxuries of the table, coffee may be considered as one of the most valuable. It excites cheerfulness without intoxication; and the pleasing flow of spirits which it occasions...is never followed by sadness, languor, or debility."
— Benjamin Franklin
Today’s article is primarily about food, however, instruction about How To Build Your Own Survival Food Kit would not be complete without the mention of the top priority, WATER!
Without water, we won’t live long enough to eat the food we are storing. BPA FREE!
The Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Water Container features a rectangular design for easy storage and stacking. Great for all outdoor activities and emergency water storage at home.
The Sawyer SP160 One Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System w/Dual-Threaded Mini Filter is the only water filter you’ll ever need.
It may not be as convenient as a sink/spigot filter, but it can go anywhere and comes with the Sawyer Mini.
If the water were to stop coming out of your spigot, and that is not far fetched, you can still get water if you can find a decent source, even a stream or body of water.
“We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective.”
—Gordon B. Hinckley
As we said in the beginning of this article, long-term food storage, in our humble opinion, should be a DIY Survival Kit that you build yourself based on you and your family’s needs.
It would be impossible to cover everything your family may want or need in a list this. The goal of this article is to get you started prepping your long-term food storage, your own way, so that your family can not only survive, but thrive during stressful times.
We hope this article has helped you make some informed decisions today and understand the importance of self-reliance in such uncertain times. They are not out for your best interest, so you’d better be!
Stay prepared, stay Rugged!
RELATED ARTICLES:
STORING WATER FOR EMERGENCIES IN 2022
THE BEST SURVIVAL FOOD KITS OF 2022
THE 3 BEST DEEP FREEZERS FOR HUNTERS (THAT YOU CAN BUY ONLINE!)
THE BEST QUIET PORTABLE GENERATORS OF 2022
THE JACKERY 1500 SOLAR GENERATOR: WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
THE BEST HUNTING BACKPACK FOR PACKING OUT MEAT IN 2022
ARE SATELLITE PHONES WORTH IT?
BUG OUT BAG ESSENTIALS LIST: A 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT
THE BEST FIRST AID KIT FOR A BUG OUT BAG IN 2022
ESSENTIAL CONTENTS FOR A GET HOME BAG: A COMPLETE 2022 CHECKLIST
ABOUT
