The following includes several methods of emergency food storage: pickling, drying, root cellar storage, water submersion, and pemmican. Keep in mind that some methods may be better suited for specific foods. Now let's find out more about each method and which ones are most suitable for emergencies.

There are few basic methods of storing wild foods. As with most things, there are pros and cons of each storage method.

Root Cellar Storage – If lost in the wild, you may not have a root cellar per se – here we refer to the simple storage of whole roots and similar plant parts in some form of insulated chamber. Just as a proper root cellar puts the plants below the ground for insulation, you might do the same with a hole or natural structure like a rock ledge. The idea here is to get the food away from the freezing temperatures that could destroy them. The same idea applies to high temperature in which the insulation prevents spoilage by keeping the food cooler than the outside air.

Drying – This is one of the oldest food storage methods. It can be easy with electricity. Without modern electricity, drying foods well poses many potential problems.

Pickling – Though another ancient and relatively simple preservation method, pickling does pose distinct problems in a survival situation. The challenges mostly related to having the appropriate materials like vessels and plenty of salt or vinegar.

Pemmican – This preparation is a mixture of protein, fat, and fruit. The ingredients are preserved through drying and preservation is assisted by the fat content.

Submersion in Water – This method came to mind mostly in relation to acorns, which are submersed in order to leach the tannins and render edible. It is a traditional method of storage to leave them underwater, besides that it is a method of leaching. It might be worth considering such a method for other foods as well.

These methods are just the beginning. It may be helpful to learn how to pickle or dry your foods before an emergency, that way you won't end up ruining a meal when you need it the most. For more on how to properly stockpile foods check out Survival Cache.