50+ Cheap Non Perishable Foods To Stockpile For An Emergency

Non perishable foods are the perfect item to have in your emergency stockpile. Wherever you live emergencies can now happen due to the way our climate is changing the world over.

Your emergency could be a hurricane, strong storm, being snowed in, flooding or the loss of power. Any one of these can impact on your ability to do your usual grocery store run so having non perishable food for emergencies tucked away in your cupboards is extremely sensible.

If you are ever going to face an emergency, what you want to do is figure out in advance what are the best foods for emergency storage and buy them cheaply.

It’s always tough when the power goes out for long periods of time or your fridge dies on you in an unplanned event. To prevent this from happening, stockpiling some non perishable foods can go a long way towards survival during these events.

It’s a good idea to have food stockpiled in your pantry, but not all foods are created equal. Which is why this post is all about the best non perishable food to stock up on. Foods that are both cheap and long lasting.

What are non perishable foods?

Non-perishable foods are foods that can be stored for long periods of time and still retain their quality and nutritional value. They don’t go bad quickly and typically last for a long period of time. This includes everything from dried and packet products to canned foods to freeze-dried foods.
Non-perishable foods are shelf-stable foods that can be stored at room temperature without spoiling. No need to freeze or refrigerate.

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Why you need a stockpile of non perishable items

There are many reasons why you should stockpile non-perishable items. In case of an emergency, you will have access to food and supplies that will help you get through the difficult time. Additionally, non-perishable items tend to be cheaper than perishable items, so it is a cost-effective way to stock up on food when your grocery budget is tight.

Natural disasters strike with little warning, and having a stockpile of healthy non perishable food items will help you through the storm. Non perishable foods that last for years are perfect for emergencies. It means that you will not have to worry about constantly re-stocking your food stockpile.

What is the healthiest non-perishable food?

The healthiest non-perishable food is beans. They are rich in fiber and vitamins, helping to reduce blood cholesterol levels. As a meat replacement, they also provide a great source of protein. And they are extremely budget-friendly.

They come as dried or canned beans and there are many different varieties including; pinto, black, cannellini (white kidney beans), chickpeas, kidney beans and haricot (navy beans).

Some non-perishable foods have preservatives, additives and other unhealthy ingredients, but there are many healthy non-perishable foods available.

What are perishable foods?

Perishable foods are foods that are easily spoiled, start to rot down or become unsafe to eat if they are not stored correctly and kept at the right temperature. Most of these foods should be stored away quickly and carefully in your fridge or freezer as soon as possibly after purchase.

What are examples of perishable food items?

Perishable foods are varied but in the main they are fresh food items that have a use-by date of a few days or a week or so. They are not dried or canned foods. Perishable foods include:

• fresh meat
• meal leftovers
• fresh fish
• fresh eggs
• ripe fruit
• ripe vegetables
• fresh milk

These foods need to be refrigerated or frozen in order to stay fresh. They will spoil if they are not stored properly.

FAQs About non perishable foods

What are some popular examples of non-perishable foods?

The most popular non-perishable foods tend to be canned foods. Canned food is usually already cooked so all you need to do is heat them up for a satisfying meal. If you had to you could also eat them cold, in a power cut for example. Canned foods are extremely popular because they can last for years without losing flavor or texture.

What is a good idea for having a supply of non-perishable foods at home?

Having a supply of non-perishable food at home is not only a good idea for emergency situations but keeping these foods on hand will ensure you always have something to cook, whether you made it to the grocery store or not. You will always be able to feed your family a nutritious meal when you have imperishable food on hand.

What is the longest lasting non-perishable food?

Dried beans have the longest shelf life. Some would say they last indefinitely as long as they are kept completely dry. Any hint of moisture and they will go bad fairly quickly. The older they are, the longer they will need for pre-soaking and possibly cooking.

Unopened jars of pure, unadulterated honey also have an incredibly long shelf life and can remain edible for many years. Honey always has a best before date when sold by stores because the look of it changes with age. Honey can become dark and form sugar crystals which put off many people. But it is still completely safe to eat.

Non-Perishable Food list of dry goods

Non-perishable food items are any ingredients that don’t require refrigeration and have a much longer shelf life. The fantastic thing about non-perishables is that you can buy these well in advance and store them for long periods of time.

Having an extensive supply of non-perishables at home is always a good idea, whether it’s to stockpile for an emergency, or simply to have as part of your everyday cooking. This will help you save time and effort when cooking dinner.

pasta

• spaghetti
• tagliatelli
• fusilli
• elbows (commonly known as macaroni)
• penne
• lasagne
• tortellini
• ravioli
• wholegrain versions of pasta

Is pasta non perishable?

Yes, pasta is nonperishable. As long as you keep it completely dry, pasta (all shapes) will last for many years, much longer than the sell by date on the packet if you so wish. Pasta is one of the best dry foods to eat because it’s quick to cook and has the essential carbs and calories you need.

rice

• white rice
• brown rice
• arborio rice (essential for risottos)
• basmati rice

dry beans

• black
• cannellini (also known as white kidney beans)
• red (kidney)
• chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans)
• pinto
• lima (also know as butter beans)
• flageolet (also know as fayot)

flour

• all-purpose flour
• wholemeal/wholewheat flour
• strong bread flour
• self-raising flour

dried fruit

• raisins
• sultanas
• apricots
• dates
• figs
• cranberries
• apples (rings)
• prunes

best foods to stockpile – misc dried items

• ramen or other dried noodles
• lentils (red, green, yellow)
• stuffing mix
• oats
• nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, brazils, hazelnuts)
• seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, flax/linseeds)
• sugar
• baking mixes (e. pancakes, muffin and cake mixes)
• powdered coffee creamer
• yeast

best Non-Perishable canned foods for survival

Canned items can be some of the best foods for an emergency kit. Because you have the option to eat them without power. They might not taste wonderful when cold, but canned food can provide good nutrition and healthy calories.

Make sure you have a variety of food options in your emergency food supply so you don’t get bored or sick of eating the same things over and over again.

• Canned ready done meals like ravioli, chili, mac & cheese, steak & onions, spaghetti & meatballs, stews
• Tuna
• Other fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel)
• Meat (corned beef, ham, spam, chicken)
• Soups
• Beans (baked, black, kidney, pinto and chickpeas)

Vegetables

• corn (sweetcorn)
• tomatoes (although technically a fruit)
• green beans
• peas
• carrots
• potatoes
• mixed vegetables
• spinach

Fruits

• peaches
• mandarin oranges
• pears
• pineapple
• fruit cocktail
• pumpkin
• prunes

Miscellaneous canned non-perishable foods you might want to stockpile

I’m including some carton and bottled products as a nonperishable option here because they are very long-lasting like cans and will really help you with thinking up different emergency food ideas and recipes.

• Broth (chicken, beef and vegetable)
• Oil (vegetable, sunflower, coconut and olive oil are all useful)
• Coconut milk
• Applesauce
• Peanut butter (or other nut butters if preferred)

Is peanut butter non perishable?

Yes, peanut butter is a non perishable food. It’s one of the best survival foods to stockpile due to being non-perishable, high in protein and calorie dense. The perfect emergency food that you can eat straight out of the jar cold if you need to.

Is applesauce a non-perishable?

Yes it is. Applesauce is non-perishable because it is either canned or in a jar. Both of which are long-life storage solutions that will keep food for years if necessary. Applesauce is perfect for your food stockpile list, something sweet, long-lasting and very versatile.

Pantry nonperishables you need to have (spices)

• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
• pepper
• oregano
• basil
• thyme
• parsley
• tarragon
• bay leaves
• cayenne pepper
• chinese five spice
• cumin
• paprika
• curry powder
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• bouillon cubes (stock cubes)

list of best non perishable Foods to store for An Emergency

When an emergency strikes, it is important to have a plan. The best foods for an emergency are ones that can be stored for a long time and can be prepared easily. The following are the best foods to stock up on in case of an emergency:

• Canned ready cooked meals (so you can eat them cold when you have no power)
• Peanut butter or other nut butters
• Canned meat
• Water
• Rice
• Beans (canned and dried)
• Canned vegetables
• Pasta
• Tuna
• Canned fruit
• Nuts and seeds
• Canned soup
• Canned milk (or cartons of shelf stable milk)

If you live in hurricane country then you will want at least a week’s supply of survival food for your hurricane kit to keep you going. You may lose or have limited power and little means of cooking so the best non perishable food for hurricanes is ready to eat food.

Canned products like canned fish, meats, ready meals like spaghetti meatballs, ravioli, mac & cheese. Also things like protein bars, granola bars, dried fruit, water and long-life (shelf stable) milk. And of course pack your can opener!

When money is tight for your whole grocery budget you can focus on this list of cheap food which will help you also build your stockpile.

Healthy Non-Perishable Foods to stockpile

The following are some healthy non-perishable food items that can form your emergency food stash to ensure that you are prepared for an emergency, hurricane season or a natural disaster. Many of them can be eaten as is, with no heating up or cooking if necessary. (Cold beans or soup isn’t great tasting but in an emergency situation you can eat them cold safely.)

• Canned protein (tuna, chicken, sardines, beans, lentils)
• Canned fruits (pineapple, apple, peaches, pumpkin, prunes)
• Dried fruits
• Canned vegetables (tomatoes, corn, green beans, peas, spinach)
• Nut butters
• Nuts and seeds
• Canned soups
• Rice
• Pasta
• Quinoa
• Couscous
• Cereals
• Crackers
• Honey
• Granola (cereal) and protein bars

Having an emergency kit of non perishable foods is essential if you live in hurricane country or have regular power outages. Make your emergency kit full of healthy foods using the list above.

You could consider stocking up on meal kits as well if you’re worried about being able to cook tasty meals with limited ingredients when the grid goes down.

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Last Updated on 10th March 2022 by Emma