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43 Healthy Food Storage Staples (and 23 Non-Food Items) to Stock Up On for Your Home — for Wellness and Preparedness


Robyn Openshaw - Updated: March 12, 2024 - - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


43 Healthy Food Storage Staples

Is your home prepared, for emergencies and whatever may come, considering the state of the world?

Many people in the Mormon community put a strong emphasis on emergency preparedness and making sure they have enough to survive things like the loss of a job, illness, natural disasters, or economic supply shortage.

Situations like these are chaotic and overwhelming enough, and having the supplies you need already at home is a huge relief.

In this article:

One of the most important parts of preparedness is food storage, and in Utah, it’s common to stock as much as a year’s supply of food for an entire household.

This preparation encouraged by the LDS (Mormon) people has always seemed like a smart idea to me, but while I’ve stored a year’s supply for over 30 years now, I struggled for a long time to achieve a healthy food storage supply that we would actually eat and that wouldn’t go to waste because it was so nutritionally inferior or spoiled too quickly.

43 Healthy Food Storage Staples (and 23 Non-Food Items to Stock Up On)
A healthy food storage supply is useful in emergencies, big or small.

I threw out a lot of stuff over the years as I tried to figure out which whole-food items would work for my high health and nutrition standards, while also having a decent shelf life.

After years of trial and error, I now have a solid healthy food storage supply. I can rotate these ingredients into my regular diet and replace them as needed, so I make sure to get my money’s worth, while also keeping enough on hand for emergencies.

The list of nutritious food storage items below has served me well, and I hope it helps you too, whether you copy it item-for-item or just use it as a jumping-off point for a list of your own.

Healthy Food Storage List

  1. Raw sauerkraut (I make this from my garden cabbage and get so much use out of it for gut health!)
  2. Extra virgin olive oil
  3. Raw legumes (small red, black turtle, small white, pinto, garbanzo, 11-bean mix, lentils, split peas)
  4. Grains (organic popcorn, Einkorn wheat, kamut, quinoa, rye, rolled oats, brown rice)
  5. Shredded coconut
  6. Raisins
  7. Dates
  8. Nuts and seeds (raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, cashews -- many of these should be stored frozen, so keep freezer space in mind as you’re figuring out how much to have on hand)
  9. Sprouting seed mix (I make my own mix of fenugreek, alfalfa, and red clover)
  10. Granola (keep in freezer)
  11. Trail mix (keep in freezer)
  12. Ultimate Minerals — daily minerals for a healthy life. Be sure you have energy, feel good, and stay well. These minerals come from deep in the earth to heal and support your health on a deep level.
  13. Coconut water (canned or boxed from Costco)
  14. Coconut oil (organic, virgin)
  15. Raw apple cider vinegar (helpful for alkalizing your body if you end up having to eat food-storage food rather than your normal, fresh, plant-based nutrition; add to your water every morning)
  16. Sweeteners (raw honey, raw agave, real maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, stevia, coconut sugar)
  17. Spices (Himalayan Crystal Salt, kelp, cinnamon, cacao powder, baking powder, basil, oregano, cayenne, garlic and onion powder, and spice blends you use often)
  18. Coconut flour
  19. Bone broth — filling and delicious, packed with protein and nutrients — for lasting energy, mental clarity, and more
  20. Tri-Omega — a super healthy blend of sprouted, ground flax, chia, and broccoli seeds — a rare raw, live, bioavailable food for your food storage
  21. Plant protein — easy to add to smoothies and more
  22. PreZyme Pro — gut health is critical for staying well and feeling well — our plant-based supplement is all you need for total gut health
  23. Natural peanut butter (PB Fit is a good option with a long shelf life, unlike the wet peanut and other nut butters)
  24. Cacao powder
  25. Sprouted flax
  26. Flax seed
  27. Chia seed
  28. Whole-grain pasta
  29. Canned powdered milk (to make kefir/yogurt)
  30. Whole eggs
  31. Organic greens powder (I really love the products from Organifi, and you can use the code ROBYN15 for 15% off at checkout)
  32. No-sugar-added spaghetti sauce
  33. Canned diced tomatoes
  34. Tomato sauce
  35. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables (bell peppers, onions, apples, bananas, mixed fruit)
  36. Beans (black, vegetarian refried, garbanzo)
  37. Corn
  38. Vegetarian chili (cans)
  39. Bee pollen granules
  40. No-sugar-added applesauce
  41. No-sugar-added peaches
  42. No-sugar-added mandarin oranges
  43. Thrive brand fruits and vegetables and greens, for green smoothies and soups in an emergency situation (I have a shelf organizer for the #10 cans, in my storage room)

I know most of us have to get creative to accumulate all these supplies, both financially (in order to buy extra food) and space-wise (in order to store it), but remember that you don’t have to build up an entire year’s supply in order for food storage to be worthwhile.

Even just a couple of weeks’ worth or enough for a month or two could make a big difference when you need it. Having a little extra allows you some wiggle room in case you can't get to the grocery store as often or need to stretch every dollar.

43 Healthy Food Storage Staples (and 23 Non-Food Items to Stock Up On)
If a severe storm or other emergency comes your way, you'll be glad to have a healthy food storage supply.

Food isn’t the only thing you should stock up on in case of an unexpected emergency. Non-food items will come in handy, too! Here’s a bonus list of household supplies and such that will be important for your comfort and health.

Non-Food Storage Supply List

  1. First aid kit:
    - bandages
    - natural pain relievers and antibiotics
    - natural immune boosters and viral killers
    - children’s medications
    - skin ointment (like colloidal silver cream)
    - rubbing alcohol
    - thermometer
    - tweezers
    - extra medications, including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and prescription drugs
  2. Eating supplies (plates, cutlery, bowls, cups)
  3. Ziploc bags
  4. Aluminum foil
  5. Toilet paper and portable toilet with bags for disposing of waste
  6. Batteries
  7. Duct tape
  8. Soap
  9. Heavy-duty trash bags
  10. Tarps
  11. Tampons and pads
  12. Scissors
  13. Manual can openers
  14. Matches
  15. Spare parts for important tools/appliances
  16. Toothbrushes/toothpaste
  17. Sewing kits
  18. Elastic hair ties
  19. Bathing supplies (shampoo, conditioner, razors)
  20. Laundry supplies (detergent, fabric softener, a washboard in case of electricity shortage)
  21. Pet care items (pet food, water, litter)
  22. Candles, lamps, flashlights
  23. Solar or gas-powered cook stove (along with extra gas canisters and whatever supplies you might need to maintain and operate the stove)

Once a year in the Fall, you can join our Annual Group Buy, where you can get high-nutrition, healthy food storage items at bulk pricing. It’s the best time to stock up on top-quality nuts, seeds, and honey, and our best deals on GreenSmoothieGirl brand items.

I've also put together a Preparedness Essentials Kit that you can customize with your favorite storage-friendly GreenSmoothieGirl products at a great discount.

What healthy essentials do you keep in your emergency storage? If you don't have a food storage supply at this point, what is your challenge?

 

Photograph of Robyn Openshaw, founder of Green Smoothie GirlRobyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.

43 Healthy Food Storage Staples (and 23 Non-Food Items to Stock Up On)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.

Posted in: Lifestyle, Preparedness, Whole Food

18 thoughts on “43 Healthy Food Storage Staples (and 23 Non-Food Items) to Stock Up On for Your Home — for Wellness and Preparedness”

Leave a Comment
  1. Anonymous says:

    Thank you! I was going to ask you to share your food storage ideas.

    Do you intend to use the powdered milk and eggs, or just throw them away as they go bad?

  2. Anonymous says:

    This is an awesome list! I really appreciating your sharing this with us. I am curious of the shelf life of coconut oil. My EVOO lasts for at least 6 months but I don’t know much about shelf life for coconut oil. I was also not aware that kefir and yogurt could be made from powdered milk. Is it used the same? How does your brown rice store? I had some go rancid when I canned it so I have been weary. Do you use buckets? I know I have a lot of questions but it is often hard to store things that are really healthy. We plant a garden and try to store as many seeds as we can but we could add many of these other items.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hey, Robyn, when you get back would you mind sharing a picture of your food storage set-up? What kind of conditions does one need for cold storage? Thanks!

  4. http:// says:

    I plan to use the dehydrated eggs and milk to make baked goods and kefir/yogurt in an emergency. 🙂 Milk should last a very long time on the shelf. Baking powder must be rotated, as its shelf life is limited to a year or two.

  5. http:// says:

    Natalie, I’ll make a note to post a photo of my cold storage and shelves and stuff. I just happen to have an unfinished basement with cold storage, lucky me (I didn’t always, so when we built this house, I made sure to have concrete cold areas). Some people do dig a cold storage against the house, in the dirt, with a wood lid. You can put vegetables like potatoes, onions, and carrots in it for the winter, along with raw sauerkraut and other preserved vegetables.

  6. http:// says:

    Also . . . coconut oil lasts 2 years on the shelf! (Some say more, but that’s what the companies I asked, when doing local group buys, guarantee.) It is highly stable and doesn’t go rancid quickly like many oils.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Thank you so much for this post! I have been trying to incorporate more whole foods into our diet and have been wondering about what to do about our food storage. I am sure I will have to throw much of it out in the next 3-5 yrs, but I can now start hopefully incorporating items that we will use and rotate through. Robyn I really appreciate your talent, and that you are sharing it with the rest of us.

  8. Rachel says:

    Thank you for that post.

  9. Lori says:

    Thanks for sharing this, Robyn!! I have been working on getting ours done, too, and it’s so challenging! I worry a lot as to how we will eat when we eat so much produce every week! I would also be interested in your list of other non-food stuff. Thanks so much!! Do you have websites that you buy your beans and stuff from? Do you buy canned or dry? Do you just use the LDS Cannery do can the stuff you buy in bulk? Sorry for so many questions! 🙂 I know you are busy and I appreciate your time. Many thanks for all you do! You have helped our family make the switch from the SAD to WFPB!

  10. Bryan says:

    Thank you very much for sharing your energy, knowledge and talents. Your program has permeated our life and has had an incredible impact on our health. I too am member of a community that is a proponent of a 1 year’s supply. I’m somewhat concerned for the day that we will be using our storage and it won’t be as nutritious as it needs to be to sustain our health or have enough “options” for our young children. Our economy in the area that my family and I live in is becoming a statistic of economic ruin. I’d like to reassess and add to our storage with the thought that others may need our assistance as well someday. Since this was written in 2008 and you products and knowledge have greatly increased, are there any changes or additions that you would make to this list?

    1. Anonymous says:

      I totally agree. It’s been about 8 years since this was posted and she has definitely gained new knowledge since then. I would appreciate a new post on this topic as well.

  11. Bryan McCurdy says:

    Great post! – I’ve wondered how I could populate my food storage with truly nutritious items. What is your feeling on freeze-dried items that can be put aside from our regular healthy meals?

  12. Julie says:

    Hi Robin – how do you ensure good rotation of your storage items, so that you are using them fresh and keep enough for emergencies? Do you have some sort of a chart or method for tracking? I’d love to hear details on any of those practicalities!

  13. Al says:

    You can always supplement your food stash with foraging, fishing, trapping. Learn how to start a fire without matches. How to communicate without power? We use Ham Radios. Learn to build a rocket cook stove with a few bricks or concrete blocks. We have lived without power for a month due to storms and life was not all that bad.

    1. Karen says:

      Hi. Do you live in a real cold area? Love to know details of more what you mentioned. We might be living where its really cold in winter and power outages.

  14. Judith F. Malmgren says:

    I am interested in your Annual Group Buy. However, I live in Canada and would imagine that the postage would be horrendous? Do you have an outlet in Saskatchewan, Alberta or Manitoba? If not, would you be able to recommend a supplier here that sells a similar product as you do? Thank you.

    1. Thank you for your interest, Judith. At this time, the Group Buy only ships within the continental United States.

      However, all items in the GreenSmoothieGirl Shop do ship to Canada:
      https://shop.greensmoothiegirl.com

      Hope this helps!

      —Lindsay, GreenSmoothieGirl

  15. Linda jex says:

    Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas! I really appreciate all your help. It can be a bit overwhelming!

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