The events of 2020 will forever teach us many lessons. One of which is to have a small stockpile of food on hand at all times. It’s great to have a food supply in times of emergency, and also always good to have some basics on hand all of the time. These are 60+ pantry staples to always have on hand, along with a free printable!

During the pandemic of 2020, when people started losing their minds and emptying the grocery stores of everything (not to mention the big toilet paper hoarding crisis!), Hubby and I looked at each other like… WTF?!?!? And it hit me… I just assumed that everyone lives with a small stockpile of emergency food. But that wasn’t the case.

You see… Hubby is a Green Beret. The rule in our house is everything we do falls under PACE planning – Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.

Under normal circumstances, we can eat comfortably for 2 weeks, and uncomfortably for 2-3 months if we weren’t able to get out to a grocery store. We actually carved out one of those gross closets that the furnace is in, cleaned it up, and put in some shelves to make it into a second pantry.

And of course, there is a system in place. To make sure that the food doesn’t sit there and get old, the new food that comes into the house goes to the back, and we bring the current food upstairs to the main pantry.

This situation really opened up my eyes, and even more so, I wanted to provide a resource for you to have to help you to not just prepare for an emergency, but even from a convenience perspective to always have these pantry staples on hand.

The list follows a few simple “rules”.

Salt, pepper, spices, and condiments are a given.

The list leans to gluten free options. Many of you follow different nutrition protocols, so this isn’t about Paleo or Whole30 or Keto. Just plain and simple pantry staples.

Also, if there is something on the list that you/your family absolutely doesn’t eat, nor do you see yourself needing it in an emergency situation, by all means, don’t buy it! Just stick to the items that you use or really think you will use or need.

Comfort food is a must. I might get some haters on this one. Yes, I’m all about healthy living. Yes, I want you to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. But I don’t live in a bubble and I don’t expect you to live in one too. So there is a category for healthier comfort food.

The categories are as follows:

• Pantry Basics
• Canned Goods
• Baking Supplies
• Shelf-Stable or Long-Lasting Produce
• Comfort Food and Snacks
• Cold Foods.

 

 

 

Pantry Basics

Apple Cider Vinegar

Applesauce

Coffee and Tea

Cornmeal

Dried Beans

Dried Fruit

Dried Rice

Garlic

Gluten Free Bread Crumbs

Gluten free pasta

Honey

Instant Potatoes

Jelly

Nuts and Seeds

Oats

Olive Oil

Peanut or Nut Butter

Salsa (Jar)

Shelf-Ready Vegan Milk (Almond, Cashew, etc)

Stock or Broth or Boullion

Tomato sauce

 

 

Canned Goods

Canned Beans

Canned Fruit

Canned Meat (Chicken, Tuna, Salmon)

Canned Soup

Canned Tomatoes

Canned Vegetables

Tomato Paste

 

 

 

Baking Supplies

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Buckwheat (which is gluten free despite the name)

Chocolate Chips

Cocoa or Cacao Powder

Cooking Spray

Gluten Free Flour

Maple Syrup

Molasses

Sugar

Vanilla

 

 

Shelf-Stable or Long-Lasting Produce

Broccoli

Carrots

Cauliflower

Lemons and Limes

Onions

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

 

 

 

Comfort Food and Snacks

Beef Jerky

Gluten Free Cake or Brownie Mix

Gluten Free Chips and Crackers

Gluten Free Pancake Mix

Organic Popcorn Kernels (not microwave)

Plantain Chips

Seaweed Snacks

 

 

Cold Foods

Butter

Cheese

Eggs

Frozen Fruit

Frozen Vegetables

Ground Meat (or plant-based) can be frozen

Lemon Juice

 

 

 

Are you Inspired?

Be sure to download your FREE List of Pantry Staples!

 

 

Love, hugs, and fully stocked.

 

 

 

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