If you’re planning or working on storing food for survival, you’ll need lots of appropriate containers. Survival food like dried beans, dried peas, lentils, pasta, rice, flour, cornmeal, and sugar can be kept in such containers. The problem is that these food storage containers can get pretty expensive. Don’t spend a lot of money when you don’t have to!
Glass Jars
Glass jars with lids make great storage containers for survival food. These range in sizes from small jelly jars to very large jars. What comes in such big jars? Restaurants, bars, delis, and convenience stores often buy items in bulk that are packaged in big glass jars, including maraschino cherries, dill pickles, pickled eggs, pickled pigs’ feet, and pickled sausages. The same types of establishments often buy mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, and other products in 5-gallon plastic jars. Ask around at some of these places about getting some of these containers for free or for a cheap price.
Smaller glass jars can often be found at yard sales or at thrift stores for just pennies apiece. The type of jars I’m talking about here are usually made by Ball or Mason and are used for home canning and pickling. If you can find some cheap jars, but they don’t have the lids and rings with them, no problem – you can buy new rings and lids by themselves.
Plastic Buckets
Another good option is large plastic buckets with lids. Large delis and bakeries, along with restaurants, go through a lot of these. They get all sorts of food in them, including potato salad, frosting, shortening, lard, and sour cream. The establishments usually toss the containers out when empty, so most will give them to you for free.
How to Get the Containers for Free
The best places to ask for free containers are the ones where you’re a regular customer. It might also help if you know someone who works there. Explain why you want the containers and agree on a pickup date. For example, you might agree to pick up the containers every Monday afternoon. Once you make an agreement, keep up your end. If you don’t, and the empty containers are getting in the way of business, you might lose your source of freebies.
Once You Get the Containers for Your Survival Food
Once you get your survival containers home, wash them well with soap and water. Depending on what was stored in them, this might take several washings. Dry the survival food containers well and allow them to air dry in a clean place before actually placing your survival food in them.
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