Savvy survivalists never underestimate the importance of a well-stocked pantry. It's always a smart idea to keep a variety of non-perishable foods and other essentials in stock just in case. It's always good to have a stockpile of your family's favorite foods, toilet paper, medical/first-aid supplies, blankets, batteries, and flashlights.

Beyond that, everyone's stockpile may vary. Some people prefer to keep canned and dried goods while others opt for MREs (meals ready to eat). No matter what you choose to put in your stockpile, we have a list of food items that are essential to everyone. Read on to find out more!

The first step to successful stockpiling is to creating an inventory of the items you already have and a list of the items you need.

You can use any spreadsheet app on your smartphone or tablet to manage your lists. If you have a working printer, it may be a good idea to print out a copy of your most current inventory and keep it in a small notebook.

Another useful tip for stockpiling food: keep tabs on food expiration dates. Just because food is dried up and stuffed in a box doesn't mean you can eat it ten years from now. Keep a list of the foods and expiration dates in a notebook.

Every month or so, go through the list to make sure nothing has expired. Some foods have a long shelf-stable life, but that doesn't mean indefinitely.

For example, dried beans and pasta will last up to 10 years, dehydrated fruit will last up to 5 years, and hard grains can last up to 12 years. Remember it's best to store non-perishable foods in spaces that are dark, cool, and dry.

Find out what the 12 essential non-perishable foods are by moving to the next page.

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