Ten Storage Suggestions for the Super Saver

Finding the best deals is one step, making the most of your storage potential is another. As you think about stocking up, here are a few important things to remember:

1. Consider your goals – Do you aim to have a few day’s storage, a month’s storage, six months or even longer? What is your budget? Are you stocking up all at once or over time? Answers to these and other questions allow you to make informed decisions about your food storage efforts.
2. Make a list of foods you like to eat that have the capability of being stored long term. It doesn’t make sense to buy and store food you won’t enjoy eating. (If you don’t eat beets, don’t buy them even if the price is fantastic.) Store what you use and use what you store.
3. Create a mini grocery store in your home. Think about the aisles you frequent at the grocery store. Are you able to set aside a customized, mini grocery store that allows you to eat well-balanced meals from your storage?
4. Work to buy your storage items on sale. Watch for items you use most to go on sale. The best way to watch the deals is to regularly follow our weekly ad. You can access the weekly specials from a computer or mobile device.
5. Remember your Perks savings. Case lot and other stock-up sales provide great deals but can mean larger-than-normal orders. Help offset your purchase price by redeeming your wallet credits during times you pick up a few extra items.
6. Location. Location. Location.
7. Often, the best place for long-term food storage is against an outside wall in the basement because of the cooler temperatures. Foods spoil faster in warm temperatures. To preserve the quality of non-refrigerated, non-frozen foods, 40-70 °F is a good temperature storage range. Also, mold and bacteria can grow in moist food, so store food in dry, non-humid places. Moisture can also affect packaging, making paper degrade and metal rust. Do not store food in moist or humid places, like under the sink or over the stove. Light exposure can deteriorate food quality and packaging. Metal (e.g. canned food) helps prevent light exposure.
8. Shop smart with store brands
9. Store brands, like Food Club and Topcare, are phenomenal choices for long-term storage. These products offer the same quality as national brands but at a much less expensive price. To learn more about our exclusive brands, click here.
10. Commercially canned food lasts longer. Home canning is a fantastic way to preserve food. However, home-canned items should generally be enjoyed within 1-2 years. Commercially canned food is typically safe to eat for even longer.
11. Do not freeze cans. Freezing cans may result in seam failure and foodborne illness. If you are storing cans in a basement, make sure it does not get too cold. Dried foods are okay to freeze.
12. Choose a wide variety of foods. Select foods you enjoy from a variety of food groups. Some emergencies may result in no power or water. Have foods on hand that you can eat in these situations.