# How long could you go without renewing your larder? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612 "2017-04-02T21:51:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/21 "2017-04-03T03:08:35Z")
3-4 weeks, maybe, although I’d bring eating a lot of starchy stuff after the first few days. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/22 "2017-04-03T04:03:31Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Right now, the bigger problem is forgetting something at the back of the fridge until it’s waaaay past expiration date. I try to force myself to inventory the box at least once a week, whether I’m hungry or not. If it rots, it seems so wasteful and un-holy. That’s been one benefit of my power loss. It’s forced me to clear everything out of the fridge and freezer. I found some stuff that had been tucked in the back for far too long. There was a yogurt in there from 2015. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/23 "2017-04-03T04:12:21Z")
Since we do a weekend backpack program for 26 kids, at any given time there are cases and cases of soup, ravioli, chili, etc., not to mention juice cartons, instant oatmeal, fruit cups, puddings, etc. I would guess that along with what’s on the shelves and in the freezer, we could last at least six months to a year. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/24 "2017-04-03T05:27:09Z")
I’d guess about a month before I had to break out the rifle and head into the woods for a deer or at least a bagful of squirrels and rabbits. Not that I would wait that long. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/25 "2017-04-03T08:36:19Z")
For several months, I suspect. I stockpile supplies, because certain goods are either unavailable or only erratically available here in Jakarta. Whenever we travel to the US we return with bulging suitcases full of tasty treats. So as I write this my chest freezer is full (14 lbs of pulled pork, among other goodies), and I have a pantry full of jarred and canned goods, ranging from evaporated milk to black olives to tahini. Of course, our meals would get weirder as time went by. A little cooked sorghum with grenadine for breakfast, perhaps; maybe some cornmeal mush and BBQ sauce for lunch; curried lentils and flatbread made with rye flour for dinner. BTW, do we get to keep eating the stuff in our garden as it replenishes itself? If we do, we’ll never run out of fresh green leaves and herbs. The equatorial climate means that my sweet potato patch keeps producing year-round. (Sweet potato leaves can be used just like spinach, and they are extremely nutritious with a taste similar to spinach but a slightly firmer toothsomeness when cooked. Delicious!) ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/26 "2017-04-03T09:37:18Z")
Realistically, about two months. We are becoming a mild version of “preppers”, due to a growing mistrust of officialdom\* and those in charge of infrastructure. We have enough fuel, generators, water, canned goods and dry good items to handle two months with no services. We’re gradually increasing this storehouse over time to reach a goal of 6-months of complete independence. The biggest obstacle is acquiring a backup supply of some required medications. \*We are concerned about incompetence, more than evil. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/27 "2017-04-03T09:56:39Z")
Today, I’d be pretty much fucked, as I’m getting ready to move house and going on a trip this week and another next week. Larder is looking dreadfully depressed. Under normal circumstances, a couple of months although I’d probably get bored with the multiple possible variations of “pasta and legumes” after a month or so (the perishables would get tackled first). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/28 "2017-04-03T11:38:02Z")
Months. We have a basement freezer filled with meat and shelves of canned goods. Seasonally we have a small orchard, plus chickens, but I guess they’re hypothetically off limits. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/29 "2017-04-03T12:41:31Z")
Several weeks at the moment. Every so often I use up everything in my freezer and pantry by just buying nothing but fresh vegetables until it is all gone. I don’t have much cupboard space or a large freezer but it takes ages to get through it usually. It makes life interesting having to concoct meals from only what’s on hand. I guess this post will prompt me to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/30 "2017-04-03T13:22:33Z")
4-6 months but I am not saying every meal would be fit for guests. I grew up in a more rural situation and I tend to buy canned and long-lasting things in spurts and keep a fair amount of it around. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/31 "2017-04-03T13:28:25Z")
Housemate recently overstocked the freezer. Though it’s not my food, in the OPs scenario it would count, so I would say for the three of us who live here, we’d last three weeks relatively easily (aside from drinks, we’d be on tap water fairly quickly). It could probably be stretched to four or five weeks if need be, maybe more. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/32 "2017-04-03T13:39:03Z")
Probably no more than a month, and even then only if we ration carefully. Once the kibbles run out, the cats and dog will be on their own. The squirrels would probably disappear quickly… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/33 "2017-04-03T13:46:56Z")
3-6 weeks, I think. After a week or two the meals would be weird. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/34 "2017-04-03T14:30:11Z")
We could probably go about a week or so before we were eating ketchup-coated Doritos. Possibly another 4-5 days on shit like that. I have gone my entire lifetime not ever hearing the word “larder”. Initially, I assumed it was the jar of fat that momma used to keep near the stove. From the context clues within this thread, i realized that I was wrong. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/35 "2017-04-03T14:34:56Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > I have gone my entire lifetime not ever hearing the word “larder”. Initially, I assumed it was the jar of fat that momma used to keep near the stove. From the context clues within this thread, i realized that I was wrong. 🙂 I probably should have used “pantry” plus “refrigerator & freezer.” Not to exclude what’s under the couch cushions. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/36 "2017-04-03T14:39:58Z")
Normally probably about two months, if we planned carefully, but right now we’re trying to eat all the chametz, so only about a week. We keep lots of baking stuff on hand, so we could bake our own bread for a while, and we always have two jars of PB, because DH and I like crunchy, and the boychik likes smooth. Also, DH keeps protein powders and bars for before workouts, and I keep Glucerna snack bars for blood sugar crashes. Also, When I cook, I always make a lot and freeze portions, so there’s always tons of stuff in the freezer. Plus, the boychik likes mac and cheese for breakfast these days, so when those little cups are on sale (which technically aren’t kosher, but don’t actually have anything objectionable in them, and he eats them with a plastic spoon), we buy a ton. I know, I know, but a cup of mac & cheese, a plate of fruit, and a cup of water, isn’t too bad a breakfast for a ten-year-old, and he can make it himself. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/37 "2017-04-03T14:49:56Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I probably should have used “pantry” plus “refrigerator & freezer.” Not to exclude what’s under the couch cushions. Oh no, I appreciate the challenge and the broadening of my vocabulary. I love the `Dope. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/38 "2017-04-03T15:08:57Z")
There’s a couple weeks of canned food. The freezer has a week or so of frozen dinners. 3 weeks. 4 at the most in a emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Emergency911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@Emergency911](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emergency911)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/39 "2017-04-03T17:34:06Z")
Raised in a very rural area, still live in a fairly rural area and had depression era grand parents that taught the whole family that happiness was a well stocked and rotated pantry. I also married a very frugal person who loves to stock up when things are on sale. With all of the above, I would say my household could survive for several months and eat without worry. Someone mentioned missing dairy. We keep powdered milk in stock at all times. It may not taste like the “real stuff”, but it will work in a pinch. I use it in my oatmeal and various recipes where milk isn’t the main ingredient. It keeps us from having expired product and no one can tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612/40 "2017-04-03T17:54:36Z")
I guess I would be considered a “prepper” by some and perhaps by a very narrow definition, that is true. It’s nothing to do with zombie apocalypses or EMPs or the like. It’s because of a very real concern over an earthquake for which my area is overdue and has a fair likelihood of happening within my lifetime. Due to my rural circumstances, our emergency prep folks recommend that I be prepared to survive on my own for up to a year. Being a natural born skeptic, I doubled that time estimate. The OP prohibited use of my garden, livestock on the hoof, poultry, fish pond, hunting and I presume barter, so according to the rules as they were set forth, I could live pretty easily for more than a year. Between freezers, home canned/preserved goods, dehydrated and stocked pantry items, there is plenty. Just me to worry about. Of course if the big earthquake hits, then I would likely lose electricity – so all that frozen stuff would have to be pressure canned as fast as possible. I’m prepared for that, too. I already pressure can convenience items up to a point: Stews, chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. though I prefer to make them fresh and from scratch. But sometimes fresh is outweighed by fast and convenient, so there are always a number of jars on hand, along with home canned tomatoes, jams, tuna and fruits. I would miss dairy products, too. Can’t stand powdered milk though I do keep cartons of UPI milk around. I rotate the stock every 6 months on that since it doesn’t keep indefinitely. It would only get me through a few months, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-you-go-without-renewing-your-larder/783612.md?page=3)