Survival essentials: Best budget-friendly foods for prepping

07/17/2024 / By HRS Editors

An organic home garden is an ideal source of cheap and replenishing survival food. However, this isn’t always an option for some preppers. If you don’t have the time or resources for a home garden, you can build a stockpile with affordable food items. (h/t to New-Terra-Natural-Food.com)

Cheap survival food becomes expensive if you don’t eat it

To save time, buy the same food for daily use and storage purposes. This ensures that you don’t waste money by purchasing food that your family won’t eat when SHTF.

Doing this also makes rotating your supply easier. Stock everything in FIFO (first in, first out) order, with new stock stored behind or under old stock.

Buy food you will cook with

While planning your supply shopping list, include items that you know you will cook with.

When SHTF you may need to eat food straight from the can, but it is better to learn how to cook delicious and nutritious meals using the items in your stockpile. (Related: 20 Cheap, nutritious foods with a long shelf life for your survival stockpile.)

3-Month cheap survival food list

If you want to boost your calorie intake during an emergency on a tight budget, start with the basic list below. The quantities and varieties shown should be enough for two adults for at least three months.

To ease the financial burden, acquire this list on a piecemeal basis. Save money by buying a few items when there are sales or discounts at the nearest store.

If there is something on the list you don’t like, substitute.

Dry goods

Dry beans and peas – Buy a dozen 2-lb (900 g) bags of assorted kidney beans, black beans, lentils, navy beans and split peas.
Dry milk powder – Buy at least 20-25 lbs (10-12 kg). These are often available in 1-2 lb bags or jars.
Flour – Buy eight 5-lb. 2.2 kg bags of white all-purpose flour.
Instant potatoes – Buy 8-10 lbs (4-5 kg). Instant potatoes are versatile and are great for a variety of dishes.
Pasta – Buy half a dozen 2-lb. (900 g) bags of assorted macaroni, fettuccini, spaghetti or your other favorite pasta.
Rolled oats – Buy a dozen 2-lb (900 g) packs for breakfast or easy cookies.
White rice – Buy half a dozen 5-lb. (2.2 kg) bags.

If you are preparing a stockpile for short-term emergencies, these consumables will store fine in the original packaging. They will have a shelf life of at least one year if kept dry and away from excess heat.

Depending on where you store them, you might want to repack them into five-gallon buckets for additional protection. For a long-term supply stockpile, you can also vacuum-pack these items in 1-2 lb bags.

For the beans, peas and pasta, take them out of the original packaging and vacuum pack each item in a size that you will use up in a month or two.

Canned goods

Canned beans – Buy 20 cans, assorted.
Canned fruit – Buy 25 cans, assorted.
Canned meats – Buy three dozen cans 10-12 oz. (300-350 g) assorted.
Canned salmon or tuna – Buy 15 cans, assorted.
Canned soups – Buy 25 cans, assorted.
Canned vegetables – Buy 25 cans assorted beans, corn and peas.
Jams – Buy four jars of your favorite jams.
Nut butter – Buy four 1-lb jars of your favorites.
Tomato sauce – Buy 25 jars assorted styles and flavors. Glass jars have a longer shelf life than cans for acidic products like tomatoes. The jars are also reusable.

Cooking supplies and condiments

Baking powder – Buy 1 lb (450g).
Baking soda – Buy 2 lbs (900g).
Cocoa powder – Buy 2 lbs (900g), use the powder for baking or hot chocolate.
Honey – Buy half a dozen 2-lb (900g) jars.
Maple syrup – Buy two or three 1 quart (1 liter) jugs.
Molasses – Buy 1 quart (1 liter).
Olive oil – Buy three or four 1 quart (1 liter) jugs.
Pepper – Buy one or two 2-lb (900g-1.3 kg) whole peppercorns. You will also need a grinder.
Salt – Buy two 2-lb (900g) boxes.
Sugar – Buy half a dozen 2-lb (900g) bags.
Vanilla extract – Buy two 4-oz. (120 ml) bottles. Pure vanilla extract in alcohol is expensive but can be stored for years.
Vinegar – Buy half a dozen 1-gallon (4-liter) jugs. Vinegar can be used for cleaning and disinfecting, as well as cooking and canning.
Yeast – Buy 1 lb (450g) in jars or packs.

Where to buy budget-friendly survival foods for your prepping stockpile

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you prepare for emergencies on a budget. That’s why we’re proud to introduce different affordable food items for your stockpile.

Our premium Freeze-Dried Organic Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin C and a variety of important nutrients. These diced bananas allow you to savor the delicious flavor and nutritional benefits of fresh bananas all year round.

Sourced from premium banana plants grown by our trusted suppliers under strict organic standards, these diced bananas undergo a careful freeze-drying process that preserves the original taste, texture and nutrients of our premium bananas.

Health Ranger Select Mini-Bucket Organic Almonds are exactly how almonds should be, with a wholesome flavor and a variety of nutrients that have earned these nuts their title as a superfood. Our premium almonds contain no sugar, chemical flavoring, hydrogenated oils, or added sodium, and are not treated with preservatives.

Our almonds are imported from trusted vendors in Italy and are not fumigated with PPO. They are raw, unpasteurized and non-irradiated. They are vegan, non-China, non-GMO and are certified organic and Kosher.

Visit FoodSupply.news for articles about nutritious and affordable survival foods for your prepping needs. You can also check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more supplies for your stockpile.

Click on this link to learn how to make 4-Ingredient Almond Butter Energy Bars using Mini-Bucket Organic Almonds.

Watch this clip to learn about other nutritious superfoods you can add to your survival stockpile.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.