If possible buy in bulk to save $$. Perhaps you can team up with family, neighbors, church & social groups, etc and split the cost. I buy much of the following bulk items at:
And I store them in food grade buckets & inside (optional) mylar liners:
Here is a list of foods that work well in long-term storage:
- Rice
- Dried beans, lentils, or peas
- Protein bars, granola bars, or fruit bars
- Canned soups, fruit, and vegetables
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
- Powdered drink mixes
- Nuts and dried fruits
- Fruit jerky
- Pasta
- Instant soup mixes
- Flour or pre-milled grains
- Baking essentials (such as baking soda, salt, and yeast)
- Sugar
- Pickled vegetables
- Dried fruit & veggies
- Trail mix
- Applesauce
- Comfort food (like cookies, candy bars, and chocolate)
- Powdered nuts to reconstitute as nut milks
- Crackers
- Grains (many varieties)
- Pancake mix
- Cereal (including hot cereals like Cream of Wheat)
- Vegetable bouillon cubes
- Liquid seasonings (including soy sauce, vinegar, and Sriracha)
- Liquid sweeteners (including honey, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, or agave syrup)
- Spices (such as salt, onion flakes, cinnamon, and ginger)
- Packaged foods (including macaroni and instant potatoes)
- Formula or baby food (for very young children)