Our first prep challenge in September is to buy fruits, nuts and nut butters for food storage. September is a good month to shop for these foods because of back-to-school sales as well as Utah grocery case lot sales. We all prefer fresh fruit, but it’s best to be prepared for emergencies and food shortages by buying or canning your own foods. Storing a variety of fruits and nuts will add variety to your diet as well.
Short-Term Food Storage Fruits and Nuts
Fruit
- Ideas include canned peaches, pears, pineapple, mandarin oranges, applesauce, raisins, cranberries, dried apricots or mangoes, and coconut.
- Canned fruits have an 18-24 month best quality shelf-life. Dried apricots, prunes and raisins have a 6–12-month pantry shelf-life. Store some dried fruits in your fridge.
- Shop for deals at a Utah case lot sale in September/October, March/April.
Nuts and Nut Butters
- Ideas include almond and peanut butter, almonds, walnuts, pistachios and cashews.
- Store nuts in your fridge or freezer. Peanut butter shelf life is typically 3 months once opened. Buy the size that works best for your family.
Long-Term Food Storage Fruits
Strawberries from store.churchofjesuschrist.org
If you have space and finances, store long-term fruits.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sells a 1 lb. can of dehydrated apple slices with a 30-year shelf-life at Home Storage Centers for $10.83 (2024) and 6 cans online for $70.00 USD. Freeze-dried strawberries are $13.67 per can or $87.00 online for 6 cans.
- Re-hydrate apple slices with an equal amount of water. If you snack on dried apple slices, drink extra water.
Good luck finding a variety of fruits, nuts, and seeds for your family.
Stock up your way!
Valerie Albrechtsen
The Food Storage Organizer
Purchase my food storage and emergency preparedness items in my Etsy shop.
