I have over 400 cans of tuna on hand

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Skeeter

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Minnesota
For me, tuna is one of the best foods to prep with. One reason is that I have two pet kittens, so if **** hits the fan, this tuna can feed both me and them for a year. The tuna also has water in it, so will help hydrate us.

The tuna has nearly a two year shelf life when I buy it. So a downside is that if I don't need the tuna within the next couple of years, I will likely have to replace my stock. This would cost me about $200.

Does anybody else use tuna as one of their primary food reserve items?
 
I hate tuna, but I think it makes for really good reserve food. Especially since you have cats.
 
Stocking mackerel (or actual cat food) for cats would be cheaper.....

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any idea on the shelf life of mackerel off hand? I enjoy eating it myself but would probably want to give it a trial run on the kittens to make sure they like it too.
 
Did you buy it all at once or over time?

I thought it sounded like a good idea so I just purchased 24 cans of salmon, and felt like a giant buffoon. I probably couldn't even carry 400!
 
I stock a variety of canned food in my stores including fish, Tuna, Mackerel, Pilchards and Sardines. you could also include crab meat. stocking just one sort of meat in this case fish isn't a good idea I think.
 
I probably have ten cans of tuna currently in the pantry. It will most likely get donated to the food bank when it nears its expiration. I wish I liked the stuff, but every time I eat some I'm reminded I really don't like it. I do have about thirty cans of white chicken meat, and think it's awesome. You can mix it into just about anything. Only good thing I can think of with my tuna would be barter!
 
For me, tuna is one of the best foods to prep with. One reason is that I have two pet kittens, so if **** hits the fan, this tuna can feed both me and them for a year. The tuna also has water in it, so will help hydrate us.

The tuna has nearly a two year shelf life when I buy it. So a downside is that if I don't need the tuna within the next couple of years, I will likely have to replace my stock. This would cost me about $200.

Does anybody else use tuna as one of their primary food reserve items?

400 cans of tuna,,,wow,,,I can not stand tuna
,now chicken I love chicken and have been told if I don't stop eating so much of it I am going to start growing feathers,,,
 
I do not mind tuna fish. It is better fresh, though.

At least there are a lot of recipes in which you can use your tuna, Skeeter. An old friend of mine likes to make a concoction of tuna noodle casserole, and even mixes in some green peas with it like some sort of heathen!
 
Canned mackerel has a stated shelf life of 3 years past canning date.

Of course, most canned foods have a stated shelf life of 1 year, but are generally edible about 3 years past that. (though they may taste off).
 
Canned mackerel has a stated shelf life of 3 years past canning date.

Of course, most canned foods have a stated shelf life of 1 year, but are generally edible about 3 years past that. (though they may taste off).


Damn, three years is pretty good. That would give me plenty of time to find a suitable food supply post-SHTF. Plus I may not have to restock as often as I do with my tuna.
 
I have about 150 cans.. most packed in water, some packed in oil.

We eat about one can every week.
 
I have about 150 cans.. most packed in water, some packed in oil.

We eat about one can every week.
That's three years with your current consumption. Better check those dates or start eating :)
 
Did you eat the can from 2009? That will save me a lot of money if I don't have to replace mine very often since I have roughly 400 cans.
 
Did you eat the can from 2009? That will save me a lot of money if I don't have to replace mine very often since I have roughly 400 cans.

Hell ya I ate it! How do you think I knew there was no degradation? LOL

As long as the can isn't damaged or showing any signs of anything undesirable (rust, bulging, dents, moisture, etc), and as long as the food smells ok when you open it, then its safe to eat.. the only question is "does it taste fresh"... and my 2009 can's tasted identical to my 2016 cans.
 
I do have cans of tuna in my pantry that I use on my busy days to make into tuna patties for dinner. That is the only way I will eat it from a can. Think I have around 50 or so cans at one time. I keep an eye out for when stores have their salmon on sale at $1.99 a pound whole. So much cheaper canning it yourself then to get already done for you. Just never see tuna go on a cheap sale like when you can get the cans 2 for $1.
 
They had tuna at Cub Foods recently for like 69 cents per can. I already have over 400 cans though so probably wouldn't but anymore unless it was like 50 cents per can.
 
I keep a lot of canned foods on hand too; chicken, sardines, clams, oysters, salmon, shrimp, crab, Spam etc. I've never paid any attention to the expiry date. As long as the can isn't damage and the food doesn't smell too bad I'll eat it.
 
i made the mistake of not getting any tuna on my last shopping trip..which put us below my,keep at least 12 to 15 cans limit..so i need to go out n buy some..we love tuna.but dont eat it that often..
 
When your canned tuna starts to approach (but not exceed) the expiration date, consider donating it to a church that does food drives and/or a soup kitchen.

You can claim it as a tax write-off, and recoup part of the expense of your prepping.

Consult an accountant, or check online.

All my best,
--Kevin
 

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