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'''Food storage''' refers to storing [[food]], typically for extended amounts of time. In order for food to be stored for a significant amount of time, it must first be prepared appropriately. Then, it must be stored in a way that will prolong its shelf life.

==Food preparation methods==
Food can be prepared in many ways, such as [[boil]]ing, frying, baking, or left raw. It can also be prepared in ways the prolong its storage life.

*'''[[Canning]]''' a very effective form of long-term storage of perishable food. Those who have a garden or other source of fresh food that they want to preserve for long periods of time will find that canning is perhaps the best option at home. It requires no special equipment or supplies other than jars, lids, a canner (pressure or water bath depending upon the food) and cooking utensils.

*'''Dehydrating food''' is an excellent way to preserve fresh food or to prepare it for further preservation such as vacuum storage or other dry food storage.

*'''Pickling''' is a very old method of preserving food that can be used for far more than [[cucumber]]s.

*'''Vacuum storage''' is a very quick modern method of preserving food for storage. It is generally much easier to do than other methods, but does require special equipment, supplies, and access to [[electricity]]. Vacuum sealing does not negate the need for refrigeration, freezing, or some other form of storage, but it usually improves the effectiveness of those forms of storage.

==Food storage methods==
* '''Dry food storage''' is important, because most staple [[goods]] are dry such as [[rice]], [[wheat]], [[corn]]. [[barley]], [[millet]], [[pasta]], etc. Also, once fresh foods have been dehydrated they are stored the same way.
* '''Root cellars''' are buried structures that create a natural cold storage environment ideal for extending the life of [[fruit]]s and [[vegetable]]s when modern [[refrigeration]] is unavailable.
* '''[[Canning]]''' is a versatile method for preserving many types of foods.
* '''Pickling''' can be used to preserve vegetables for long periods of time.
* '''[[Fermentation]]''' is a tried and true method for preserving a variety of foods including vegetables, [[milk]] and [[meat]]s.

===Commonly stored foods===
* [[Beans]]
* [[MRE]] or [[Military ration]]
* [[Rice]]
* [[Salt]]
* [[Wheat]]

==See also==
* [[Preservation (food)]]

[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Survivalism]]
[[Category:Preparedness Glossary]]