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Whether you are preparing for small emergencies or the end of the world as we know it (I’m only half-kidding since that is a huge social trend these days), a long-term food supply can go a long way toward helping you to feel safe and secure. It also has a number of other advantages. Over time, it can save you trips to the grocery store and even money. And if there is ever a long power cut or a personal emergency that takes you out of work, you will be very glad you have your own food supply waiting.

But how do you actually create an emergency food supply for yourself and your family?

Well, to start with, you will need to purchase the right containers and packing materials. I suggest that you pick up plenty of Mylar pouches. Foil makes the absolute best packing material for long-term food storage. Unlike plastics, it is not permeable, so it provides the best airtight seal. Still, it is also well worth your time and money to invest in a vacuum sealer. Even though the vacuum sealer bags are plastic, they will do a great job protecting your food and lengthening its lifetime.

While you are at it, plastic pails for food storage make an excellent addition to your shopping list. While metal containers are often touted as the best long term food storage containers, there are in reality pros and cons to each. It is true that metal is better for keeping out rodents, but plastic offers a number of other advantages which metal does not. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and stacks easily. Even though it is not ideal for keeping out rodents, it does a great job keeping insects away and keeping dry goods fresh.

What types of foods should you aim to include in your long term supply? You need foods which will provide you with an ample variety of nutrition and which will stand up to time. Your plastic food pails are ideal for storing grains like wheat, flour, rice, and oats. Pasta and corn meal are good to store, along with cereal, baking supplies, powdered milk, cheese and eggs, canned and jarred fruits and vegetables, jerky, sweeteners, legumes, cooking oils, soup stock, condiments, and beverages.

My top recommendation for putting together your food storage supply is to take your time doing it. Do not try to stock up a whole year of food at once. That is just way too big a project to tackle at one time, and you will have a much harder time figuring out what you really need. Start small. Stockpile a week’s worth of food, and then work your way up to a month and continue from there. As you go, you will learn more and more and the whole process will get easier. Just remember to stock up on your food storage containers before you go out and start purchasing bulk grains! That way you know where to put everything!