Keeping food on hand to have during an emergency or to have for future use is a great idea. There are many surprising ways to store food for the long-term based on the work and the equipment that is required.
1. Buy canned foods that you can store in an upstairs or downstairs pantry.

photo by wikipedia.org
2. Five gallon buckets can be used for long-term storage.

photo by theprepperjournal.com
3. Vacuum seal food to keep for long-term use.

photo by wikihow.com
4. Learn how to freeze dry food for long term storage.
5. Make your own long-term food storage meals.

photo by ready4itall.org
6. Many types of fruits can be dehydrated for long-term storage.

photo by kitchenstewardship.com
7. Meats like chicken and beef can be dehydrated for long-term storage.

photo by backpackingchef.com
8. The water bath canning method is perfect for long-term food storage.

photo by simplycanning.com
9. Pressure canning is another canning method for long-term food storage.

photo by foodpreservation.about.com
10. Using oxygen absorbers and mylar bags for long-term food storage.

photo by backdoorsurvival.com
11. Information about food storage packing.

photo by learntoprepare.com
12 Use 2-liter bottles for storing dry food long-term.

photo by modernsurvivalonline.com
13. Learn the best practices for long-term food storage for dry foods.

photo by readynutrition.com
14. Learn the best ways to store water long-term.

photo by offthegridnews.com
15. Not all fresh fruits and vegetables store the best for the long-term. Learn which ones work best in root cellars.

photo by survivopedia.com