These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Find out where they keep food
You can ask"Where do you keep your food? Do you have a fridge? Any problems with bugs or mice?"
You can say"Dry food keeps a long time if it stays cool, dry, dark and sealed."
2Seal it up
Bugs and mice get into paper and plastic bags. Move food into containers with tight lids.
Use glass jars, clean plastic jugs, or food-grade buckets with lids.
Keep containers off the floor, away from the stove and out of the sun.
Write the date on each one. Use the oldest food first.
3Kill bug eggs in new flour
Put new flour, masa, cornmeal or oats in the freezer for 4 days, then move it to a sealed container.
If food has bugs or webs, throw it out. Wipe the shelf. Check nearby food too.
4How long staples keep (cool, dry, sealed)
White rice: about 2 years. Brown rice: about 6 months to 1 year.
Dry beans: 1 to 2 years. Older beans are still safe, but take longer to cook.
White flour: about 6 to 12 months; longer in the freezer. Whole wheat flour: a few months, or keep it in the freezer.
Masa harina: use by the date on the bag.
Sugar and salt: keep for years if they stay dry.
Cooking oil: a few months after opening. Smells like paint or crayons? It has gone bad.
Canned food: best within 1 to 2 years. Throw away cans that bulge, leak, spurt, or are badly dented on the seam.
5Without a fridge
Pick foods that need no fridge: canned beans, canned meat or tuna, peanut butter, oats, crackers, shelf-stable milk.
Potatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots, apples and winter squash keep for weeks in a cool, dark place.
Cooked food left out more than 2 hours (1 hour if it is over 90 F) can make you sick. Cook only what you will eat.
If food went bad in a power outage, see the guide "Food spoiled in a power outage, fire or flood".
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service - Meat and Poultry Hotline
Food safety questions by phone, email or chat (English and Spanish)
1-888-674-6854
· Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Eastern (8am-4pm Mountain), year-round, English or Spanish. Recorded food safety messages 24/7.
6Go further
To keep food even longer, see the guide "Wants to can, dry or freeze food to keep it longer".
To buy in bulk, see the guide "Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oil".
More help like this
Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.
See all guides in Food and basics →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
Know a better way? Is something out of date?
If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.