Have you been thinking about creating an allergy-friendly food storage pantry? 

In this installment of the Allergic Living video series “Megan’s Minute,” blogger Megan Lavin is here to help with that. She shares smart advice for organizing and stocking a food storage pantry – so you never run short of allergy-friendly foods or other essentials. 

After COVID-19 shortages of certain foods during the pandemic, Megan had anxiety over how she’d feed her two sons with food allergies. This was especially so for her eldest with multiple food allergies, who relies on certain brands’ staples. Discovering his safe food products missing from the local supermarket’s shelves, “I vowed to never be that vulnerable again.”

As she discusses in this video, Megan got down to business, setting up a food storage area. It brings her peace of mind, not just for a pandemic, but in case of a natural disaster, a job loss, or just to avoid out-of-stock issues.

In the video, Megan covers: 

• Why a food storage pantry is so helpful with food allergies, and not just in times of crisis. • Her system to organize food storage, rotate through products. • How to avoid wasting food when stocking up. • Her storage categories from safe foods to cleaning and other supplies. (See her comprehensive list below).  

Following are the main elements what I keep in my family’s food storage pantry. It’s not our full list, but this will give you a good idea of categories to include as you set up your own food and supply storage. While everyone’s food allergy needs will be different, I mention a few brands we specifically look for, in case this helps for ideas.  

Remember to buy only what your family will actually eat, and develop a system for rotating through food so that it doesn’t go to waste.

For those who want food storage that can last more than one to two years, I’ve looked into two popular sites for online purchasing of long-lasting foods. Items from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are usually able to last for 30 years and have good prices. Here is the statement they gave me on their food allergen labeling: “The Church follows every safety measure with great precaution along with necessary packaging information regarding allergens that is required by law.”

I also spoke to their quality control department. They say their canned items are a good option for those avoiding top 7 allergens, but not wheat, as they’re made at a flour facility so there is a high chance of cross-contact.

I also contacted Thrive Life, which offers freeze-dried items for long-term food storage. Here is the statement they provided on cross-contact: “We process our foods so that no cross-contamination occurs for any of the allergens.”

I’d love to hear from you about what you like to keep in your food storage pantry! Write in the comments on YouTube or Instagram, or email me via [email protected]

Join Allergic Living monthly for a new installment of Megan’s Minute with Megan Lavin, the creator of the Allergy Awesomeness blog, which features great Top-9 free recipes and articles. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

More videos from Megan Lavin: Eating Out Safely with Allergies Safe Way to Keep Allergens in the Home Creating a School 504 Plan How to Plan Meals with Food Allergies Going to Birthday Parties

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Allergic Living P.O. Box 1042 Niagara Falls, NY 14304

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