The Dollar Tree Dairy Product You Should Stock Up On For Emergencies (No Fridge Required)

The nature of emergencies is that they happen with little or no warning, so it's smart to be prepared with some stored food, water, and other supplies. From short-term events like a power outage or severe winter storm, to longer-lasting natural disasters, anyone can find themselves cut off from electricity and grocery stores. Refrigerated and frozen foods will only last so long in a power outage, but it's easy to stock up with shelf-stable goods in preparation for these unforeseen events. Dollar Tree has some affordable options, including shelf-stable milk, to help you get started.

Perishable items like milk remain safe for up to four hours in a power outage if fridge doors are kept closed. Opening the refrigerator to take out items will reduce that time frame. If you're facing a long-lasting outage, you can quickly find yourself without fundamental food staples. Marcel's Modern Pantry products from Dollar Tree are a great solution. Cartons of whole, 2%, and 1% milk are available in 32-ounce sizes for just $1.25 each.

Dollar Tree additionally offers plant-based milks from Marcel's Modern Pantry, including almond milk and oat milk. These can be stored outside of the refrigerator and are good to stock up on if you have dairy-free folks in your household. Not all emergencies knock out power, but natural disasters can make getting to a store difficult afterward. Shoppers may also deplete supermarket shelves ahead of time. These shelf-stable products help ensure you have plenty of milk on hand.

Shelf-stable milk contains real cow milk and added vitamins, just like any chilled version from a supermarket. What makes it shelf stable — not requiring refrigeration until after it's opened — is ultra-high-temperature pasteurization and sterile, air-tight packaging. The high-temp, rapid pasteurization process kills most of the bacteria, and the aseptic packaging keeps the milk clean. This adds up to a much longer shelf life.

Unopened and stored properly at room temperature, Marcel's Modern Pantry milks can stay good for up to 13 months. Like any milk, though, these products need refrigeration once they're opened. So, bear that in mind when opening a carton during a power outage. You'll want to use it up quickly if you can't refrigerate it. When refrigerated, an open carton of Marcel's Modern Pantry milk should be consumed within seven to 10 days, per the manufacturer.

Shelf-stable milks can have a slightly different taste than regular milk, but it isn't significant and often goes unnoticed. They can taste a little sweeter and have a marginally thicker texture. Shelf-stable milk can be used exactly like refrigerated milk — poured over cereal or added into recipes. Because shelf-stable milk is "cooked" during pasteurization, it can develop an unwanted burnt or caramelized taste when used in dishes that require further cooking, like sauces and chowders. For these recipes, take an experimental approach since the final flavor may not be what you expected. In an emergency, though, you might find yourself feeling less picky about taste as long as you stay fed until the crisis is over.