Stocking your pantry with long-lived staples is a good way to safeguard your family against unexpected events. This strategy will also ensure that you can always pull something together for dinner even if you haven't gone shopping recently. Some items can last for years. These foods can be kept for the following times: Powdered milk: 18 months. Beef jerky: 1-2 years. Canned produce: 1-2 years past the "best by" date. Dry pasta: 1-2 years past the "best by" date. Peanut butter: 2 years. Canned or vacuum packaged tuna: 3-5 years past the "best by" date. Dark chocolate: 2-5 years. Honey: Indefinitely. Dried beans or white rice: Indefinitely. Brown rice: 6-8 months.