Food Storage and Humidity

I just returned home from a week long family vacation at the beach.  Yes, the beach is fun and relaxing, but it is really humid too!!!  I don't really care for humidity and I am so glad that I live in a dry desert!!!  While I was at the beach house I was constantly closing food containers and folding down cereal bags because my children are not used to food being softened by humidity.  That also got me thinking...how on earth would I have a food storage room here?!?!?!  Everything would have to have some kind of vapor barrier to guard against the moisture.  I concluded that keeping  long-term food in a humid area would be very different then where I live. 

I have a sister that lives in Louisiana and I have listened to her complain about her food storage going bad because of the humidity, but I didn't really understand.  I feel for her now and I have been thinking of how food would need to be sealed to keep the moisture out.  Below are some of my ideas on how to store food in a humid area.  I am not an expert, nor do I live in a humid area, so please leave comments with your ideas too!!

#1 Idea- The FoodSaver

 -Using a foodsaver would eliminate all air and therefore moisture too.  You could seal jars and bags and then keep them in buckets (the bags not jars), which would also need a gamma lid to seal the bags up tight. (and yes, I seal up candy every Halloween =)  You may also need to watch the rims and lids of the mason jars for rust, but this would be a simple way to keep food dry.

Image credit:  emergencyessentials.com

#2 Idea- Mylar Bags and Buckets

-Many types of food can be sealed in mylar bags and then sealed in buckets.  The lack of air=no humidity!  Emergency Essentials sells food sealed in mylar bags and buckets.  It does cost a little more, but if it saves your storage, it is worth it.  This would work great for flours, pastas, oats, cereals, and dehydrated fruits and veggies.  Sugars should not be stored with oxygen absorbers but they do work great in a mason jar sealed with the foodsaver.  Here is a link to Emergency Essentials mylar bucket liners.

#3 Idea- Canned Food

-Sealing food in cans (home canned or commercial) will definitely help keep food away from humidity.  The only problem would be rust.  You might have to keep tabs on your cans, if you live in a humid area, and watch for rust.  The shelf life of canned foods in a humid area will be less than in a dry area.  Discard any cans that are bulging or are leaking. 

#4 Idea- Use a Dehumidifier

-If all else fails and you have no dry space to store your food...use a dehumidifier.  My mom always had one running in our basement right by the food storage.  I grew up in Ohio and it was so humid and sticky hot.  She saved her food for many years and I don't remember it spoiling.  Also, keep cans, jars, and buckets away from concrete walls and floors.  The humidity lives in the cement.  So even though the basement is the best place to have your storage, try to keep food on shelves and off the floor.  And use the dehumidifier too!