How to Stockpile Food Without Panic Buying or Blowing Your Budget

Food prices are rising and with wars, drought, and tariffs it’s only getting worse and some food shortages could be next. Learn how to stockpile in a smart way without panic.

This post was originally shared March 2020 to help with stocking up during the early days of the pandemic. I’m updating it to reflect current circumstances.

I first shared this list in 2020 and that feels like a lifetime ago now. And while none of us fully understood what was to come and I have never returned to “normal” I do feel that what I learned from that time will allow me to help us stock up for the current situation we are facing.

Now I want to stress that we should not be panic buying. There are many unknowns and panic buying is never the answer. Instead it’s time to stock up in a smart and manageable way.

How to Stockpile Food in a Smart Way

Unlike when I first posted this and we were being encouraged to buy a couple weeks worth of food and plan to stay home for two weeks, this time we are going in with no idea what will happen or how long it will last. Though the truth is we were very naive last time as well.

First let’s talk about what is going to be impacting food costs and could trigger global food shortages. And let’s start with the Iran War.

We have already been facing fertilizer shortages and it will be even harder to get going into the spring planting season because of the Strait of Hormuz closure. And when fertilizer costs rise so do food costs.

Wheat has also been hit hard with late freezes and drought covering about 55% of the area where most of our wheat is grown. This is likely to cause wheat prices to be high and that will trickle down to any product containing wheat.

Add in the oil and gas crisis, shortages in soybeans for livestock feed, tariffs, and other conflicts happening around the world right now and this could be a perfect storm.

This means now is the time to act, especially if you want to stockpile in a smart way. I’m going to share some foods that are good for stockpiles but first I want to share tips to keep in mind.

• Make room in your budget for your stockpile by making budget-friendly meals, cutting expenses in other areas, and shopping sales.
• Add just a few items to your shopping trips each time.
• Buy food you will actually eat.
• Keep space and shortage in mind.
• Be mindful of dates and rotate your stockpile. Don’t let food go bad, make sure to watch dates and as you get new items make sure they go in the back and older items move forward.

Now let’s talk about what are some good things to stock up on. This is a general list and not just based on the current situations as it could change quickly and all food could be impacted.

Fruits and Vegetables

Be sure when eating through what you stock up on that you start with the things that will go bad the soonest. Also, make sure you are storing your produce correctly, this will help extend its life.

• Long-lasting fruits: Unripe bananas, apples, oranges, clementines, grapefruit, and other citrus last for a very long time.
• Long-lasting vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, carrots, celery, and peppers are some of the longer-lasting options. Potatoes stored correctly can last a very long time and can make a meal more filling.
• Frozen fruit: Stock up on lots of berries, peaches, mangoes, and others. These will last a very long time. They can be thawed and just eaten or throw them in smoothies, on yogurt, muffins, in oatmeal, or on other cereals.
• Frozen vegetables: Frozen veggies are often better than fresh because they are frozen at peak freshness. Load up on a variety to make sure you don’t get bored and are getting a good mix of nutrition. Remember some spinach, it’s great to throw in smoothies for some sneaky veggies.
• Freeze-dried fruit and vegetables: There are a lot of great freeze-dried fruits and veggies on the market now. They will last a long time and are good to snack on.
• Dried fruit and veggies: Dried produce can be a great snack as well or for topping cereal and oatmeal. Just watch for added sugar.
• Canned fruit: No-added sugar canned and jarred fruit are great shelf-stable options. Just make sure they are in 100% juice and no added sugar.
• Canned vegetables: It’s always a good idea to have canned veggies on hand. Watch for added salt. Don’t forget some tomatoes which work well in a lot of recipes including simple sauces.

Grains

• Pasta: Look for whole-grain options that provide more protein. You can also find some chickpea and lentil pasta if you are needing more protein sources, this can be helpful for vegetarians and vegans.
• Flour: Even if you don’t do much baking this is a good thing to have on hand since wheat is one impacted crop right now. There are simple quick bread and other recipes that could help you get by. You can also store flour in the freezer to extend its life.
• Bread: Only leave out any bread that will be eaten quickly. Freeze extra bread, sliced frozen bread can last for months in the freeze.
• Popcorn: Popcorn has a lot of fiber and if you don’t overload it with salt and butter it can be a healthy snack. Skip the microwave kind and make it on the stove instead. This will allow you to control the salt and butter. 
• Crackers: Crackers can be used in a lot of recipes, are good in case someone gets sick, and are a nice stack. They also stay good longer than bread and can be used to make homemade Lunchable-type snacks and meals if you don’t have a lot of bread on hand.
• Cereal: Skip the sugary stuff and get some whole grain, low sugar cereals. Try to find ones with a good amount of fiber. 
• Other grains: Consider picking up things like oatmeal, quinoa, and rice as well. Farro is another grain I really like and it packs a lot of nutrition. 

Protein

Meat costs are rising and will likely continue, stocking up on meat if you eat it and making sure you are working to stretch the meat you buy is a good plan. Also look for non-animal protein sources.

• Frozen meat: Make sure you have some of your favorite meats or meat alternatives in your freezer.
• Beans: Dried or canned beans are great sources of protein. They are good to add to soups and other dishes to boost protein. Avoid higher-sodium options when buying canned.
• Canned fish: Fish is a great source of protein and healthy fats. Tuna, salmon, and sardines are great options.
• Canned chicken: Canned chicken is also a good protein source to have on hand. You can use it in pastas, sandwiches and all kinds of recipes.
• Seeds: Seeds are good for protein and fiber. You can use them in cereal, oatmeal, or on salads.  
• Nut butter: Peanut butter, nut butter, or sunflower seed butter can be a great quick lunch or snack. Use it for sandwiches, in smoothies, with apples, or on celery. 
• Nuts: If no one in your home is allergic nuts are a great option. They have a lot of protein, fiber, and vitamins. Watch for sugar and excess sodium.
• Dairy: Look for hard cheeses, even once open they can last for a long time if stored properly. Shredded cheese can also easily be frozen.
• Eggs: Eggs can last for a fairly long time, just be sure to store them in the fridge on a shelf, not the door and don’t leave them out on the counter while you are cooking, get what you need and put them back.
• Milk: Look for shelf-stable milk to have on hand. You can also find a lot of plant-based milk in a shelf-stable form. Dry milk is also a great option to have in your pantry for emergencies. 

Other Food 

• Broth: Broth is good for making your own soup, drinking when sick, and using in different recipes. Look for low sodium options.
• Canned soup: Soup is a simple meal and also great for anyone not feeling well. Make sure you have a lot of options available. 
• Fun snacks: When possible get some of your favorite snacks that are shelf stable to have on hand. It can be a boost to your moral to have a little treat.

Where to Stock Up

Shopping local grocery stores is best but if that isn’t an option for you I’d recommend picking the most ethical chain. If possible, skip Walmart and Target but if that’s all you have or can afford just be sure to skip the impulse buys.

I also love to do a lot of my grocery shopping at Thrive Market, you can see my full Thrive Market review here on the site. Thrive Market is an online grocery store which makes it easier for me as someone that is disabled and has limited grocery options.

They have frequent sales that can help with stocking up. And their prices are good in general as it’s a bit like Costco in that you get a membership. But you don’t have to buy in bulk which is nice for smaller families.

You can use my Thrive Market link to sign up and get 30% off your first order which would be the perfect way to stock up.

More Helpful Resources

You’ll find a lot of resources for saving money on groceries here on the site. Here are some more to help you during this tough time.

• Stretching Your Pantry Like a WW2 Housewife
• Sugar Rationing Tips from WW2
• WW2 Home Front Strategies for Today
• 1940s Ration Recipes