Suburban homestead pantries are utilized for preparedness and emergencies. Food is stored for long term use and rotating current use. Snacks, crackers, cookies and other items do not fall into a long term healthy pantry for suburban homesteads. Therefore, when referring to a pantry it should be items that fall on a list of homemade, affordable, stores well for longer periods of time, and can be used in recipes or for emergency situations where the grocery store is not attainable.
I have a top three that I keep in my rotating pantry that cover several bases. They are affordable, used in many recipes, able to be eaten during an emergency situation or natural disaster where I can’t get to the store, and finally can be added into my long term storage.
Each time I go to the grocery store I add one of these on my list, so that I have my shelf full. My goals are met and they stay affordable because I do not have to purchase multiples. Chipping away at a fully stocked pantry happens over time, not overnight.
Canned Foods
Tuna
I like to have tuna in my pantry because it can be eaten alone, on crackers or added into a casserole. Tuna is a versatile pantry staple that helps me when I haven’t made a meal plan, and need something quick. Another great benefit of Tuna is the healthy aspect of it. Tuna lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. It has many other health benefits, but these two are most important to me. Tuna is also low in calories so, it is a great addition to a diet plan.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Finally, in the canned food area I keep several cans of chicken noodle soup. This soup has protein, veggies and great taste in a hurry. If we are down with the flu and no one can cook, I can grab a quick can of chicken noodle soup. Great for emergencies because it could be heated over an open flame outside if the electricity is off and eaten out of the can.
Every pantry should have three times the amount of chicken noodle soup as family members. Chicken noodle soup also helps with sickness and getting over colds. My husband was so thankful that I had prepared for a winter flu event this year because he didn’t have to leave the house in the cold to go and get any soup. Prices had went up, he didn’t feel like cooking either, so he helped us out by warming up the soup.
Dried Fruits, Nuts, and Trail Mix
Dried fruits, nuts and trail mix are a must in a suburban pantry. They are easy to eat out of the bag, tasty, filling and healthy. No refrigeration required. No cooking required and they hold several vitamins we all need. Nuts are a great source of protein.
In addition to a good prepared pantry having dried fruits for an emergency, they go great on camping trips. Buy a big bag in bulk at Sam’s or Costco and the kids have a good snack. To separate for more than one child, bring snack size ziplock bags or snack cups.
Banana chips are also a great addition to this list because they are tasty and go well for trips and easy snacks.
Suburban Homestead Pasta Suggestions
Spaghetti
Let’s face it, spaghetti is the always go to easy meal. In a suburban homestead pantry that is prepared for emergencies spaghetti has many uses. Canned tomato sauce, cheeses and other ways to make spaghetti meals is what makes spaghetti so versatile. No one really doesn’t like spaghetti, and it is affordable. Meals with spaghetti can be meatless and still taste good.
Elbow Macaroni
Most prepared suburban homestead pantries have a supply of elbow macaroni to go with the canned tomato sauce from the garden. Elbow macaroni is great for chili’s, substituted for spaghetti, and used for homemade mac and cheese.
Likewise, elbow macaroni is a suburban homestead pantry staple that is also affordable.
Emergency Preparedness Food
Ramen Noodles
In conclusion I will add ramen noodles to my pasta section. Ramen noodles are definitely a long term storage food. I added it to my suburban homestead pantry list because when all other lunch ideas haven’t happened or I need something that doesn’t take long to fix, ramen noodles to the rescue.
Tuna
I like to have tuna in my pantry because it can be eaten alone, on crackers or added into a casserole. Tuna is a versatile pantry staple that helps me when I haven’t made a meal plan, and need something quick. Another great benefit of Tuna is the healthy aspect of it. Tuna lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. It has many other health benefits, but these two are most important to me. Tuna is also low in calories so, it is a great addition to a diet plan.
Canned Chicken
I keep several packages of canned chicken on my shelf. In the case of an emergency situation where I can’t get to the store, a natural disaster or any unplanned event I have chicken. Canned chicken goes great on a salad, made into a quick chicken burrito or since it is chopped, added to a casserole dish.
Another reason that I keep canned chicken on my shelf is the convenience. I don’t always have time to prepare a whole chicken or cook chicken breasts. When I have canned chicken in may pantry I can add this great protein to my meal and still be a hero! Chicken is a good substitute for red meat and is a perfect source of amino acids.
Storing up any items on this list will take time, and planning. Watch for sales and shop accordingly. Keep some kind of an inventory list to keep a fully stocked long term pantry.
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