This is also an important product to include in your food storage. It provides nutrition for your family and it can also be used for cooking. Nonfat milk, either regular or instant, stores well when packaged properly and kept at room temperature or cooler. In the past, many felt that non-instant milk would store better. There is little difference in shelf life between instant and non-instant powdered milk. The best containers to use when storing powdered milk are airtight, low-oxygen containers or packages; rather than boxes or plastic bags, which don’t seem to keep the milk as fresh. This type of milk can be stored for up to three years. Make sure you are rotating your supply and using it for your family or give it to someone who will use it so you are not wasting it.
Beans
These are a nutritious supplement to add to your food supply. They may not be a popular item with your family especially your children, but they are versatile and if you prepare them right and use them in soups and other meals they don’t taste so bad. There are several different kinds of beans. Lima beans, kidney beans and black beans. Kidney beans are usually the most common. They can be used for chili and different kinds of soup. Black beans provide the best nutrition. If you soak the beans ahead of time either over night in salt water or pressure-cook them then you will significantly cut back on your preparation time.
Wheat
Many people consider wheat the most basic of food storage items. It is easy to store and has high nutritive value. Wheat provides protein and is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin B, phosphorous, and iron. It is also versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
There are different kinds of wheat. Hard red or hard white wheat varieties are desirable for home storage and bread making. Store hard winter wheat (Turkey Red), hard spring, and other similar varieties. Soft white wheat is usually used in making pastries and cookies. You should store only grade-one wheat. This means no less than 60 lb. per bushel. Protein content should be 12% or better. Before eating the wheat, clean it and remove all foreign materials. Wheat can be hard to digest and if your body is not used to it then it might be a little hard on your system. Make sure to include wheat in family’s diet on a regular basis so your bodies are used to it and you don’t get a shock to your digestive system when you are suddenly adding it to your diet.
It is very important to make sure that the moisture content of the wheat is 10% or less. Wheat draws moisture, so take precautions to protect it from exposure to high humidity and high temperatures.