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Food For Thought

20 long lasting foods 
in your grocery store

Finding long lasting foods is important to many parents, especially when preparing for emergency situations. Rather than purchasing perishable items, families should stock up on items with a long shelf life. These foods will save families money, provide a variety of meal options that offer nutritional value, and require less trips to the grocery store.

Foods that last 1 – 6 Months

    1. Potatoes: Potatoes are a hearty food that last several weeks. This vegetable can be prepared as baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, homemade French fries or diced potatoes to complement any main dish.
    2. Onions: Store onions in a cool, dry place for a month or more. Onions add flavor to many meals. Use this veggie as a topping on Bar-S franks or sausages.
    3. Hot Dogs & Franks: Bar-S Classic Franks are perfect for a backyard grill or family dinner. Choose between classic franks, bun-length, turkey, smokehouse, cheddar, beef, pork or turkey varieties. For more meal ideas, toss cut up franks into macaroni and cheese for a quick and easy lunch the kids are sure to love. Bar-S franks can be stored safely in their original unopened package for up to 2-3 months in the refrigerator (check expiration date). When frozen, franks can stay fresh for 4-5 months unopened.
    4. Sausage & Hot Links: Similar to franks, Bar-S Smoked Polish Sausage or Hot Links make lunch or dinner easy and delicious. Cook outside on the grill or enjoy that smoky flavor right in your home. Change it up with Hickory Bacon Swiss, Cheddar or Jalapeno & Cheddar. Bar-S sausages stay fresh for about 1 – 2 months when frozen.
    5. Apples: Not only are apples full of nutritional value, but they also are one of the longest-lasting fruits you can buy. Even after they lose their firmness, apples can be used to create homemade applesauce, apple butter or apple desserts.
    6. Winter Squash: Switch up your veggies by adding hearty winter squashes. With a shelf life of one to three months, their flavors range from nutty to mild. These can be used as a healthy side to any meal.
    7. Frozen Veggies: Keep a stash of frozen veggies in the freezer for easy access. Most frozen veggies will last six months or more. These can be steamed or added to soups and stews for extra flavor.
    8. Carrots: Carrots are sweet, crunchy and healthy. Choose whole carrots to capitalize on the long shelf life of these vibrant vegetables. Peel off the skin and create your own sticks or chop them up and place them into a variety of dishes.

Foods that last 6 months – 1 year

  1. Tea: Add a little caffeine into your day with a glass of tea. Loose leaf and bagged teas last close to two years on the shelf.
  2. Flour: Flour offers multiple purposes beyond baked goods. You can use it to batter meats or thicken up stews and make gravy. When stored properly, flour will remain fresh for about a year.
  3. Corn Dogs: The honey crisp batter on Bar-S Classic Corn Dogs is sure to bring a smile to you and your family’s faces. Store them in the freezer for freshness up to a year.

Foods that last 1-5 years

  1. Peanut Butter: An easy go-to lunch or snack for many adults and kids, peanut butter sandwiches are not the only way to use this high-protein food. You can create hearty snacks by smoothing on celery sticks or pairing with apple slices.
  2. Pasta: Most dried pasta lasts about a year or more. Place it in soups to complement the veggies and meat, use it as a side dish such as pasta salad, or get inspired by the many Bar-S pasta recipes!
  3. Beef Jerky: As a quick protein snack, beef jerky comes in a variety of flavors. These salty snacks can last a year or more.
  4. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is an easy and hearty breakfast food. You can also use the oats to make delicious cookies for any time you need a quick dessert.

Foods that last 5+ years

  1. Beans: Dried beans, peas and lentils store for a long time. Legumes offer minerals, fiber and protein that complement a variety of dishes. Add them to soups, stews or cook them by themselves as a side dish.
  2. Dried Corn: Make homemade popcorn using dried corn. Simply add a small amount of oil in the bottom of a pot and heat up. Once hot, add the corn and watch it pop. Salt to taste.
  3. Rice: Rice is a staple for many cultures around the world because of its long shelf life. Choose white rice for a shelf life of close to five years. Recipes abound on how to add variety to this household staple.
  4. Powdered Whole Eggs: Having some powdered whole eggs on hand can are helpful when fresh eggs are unavailable. Many variations of powered whole eggs can last over 10 years
  5. Dehydrated Fruit: The sweet flavor of dehydrated fruit makes for an easy go-to snack, especially for kids. The fruit often comes in packs with a shelf life of up to 5 years. Find mixed varieties or singles such as pears, peaches or apples.

Simple protein-filled recipes can help you use those long-lasting foods in new creative ways. For additional tips and discounts on Bar-S meats, check out the newsletter .