Best Lentils for Sprouting: Grocery Store vs Specialty Seeds

Can 5-Year-Old Lentils Still Sprout? Walmart Lentils vs Premium Sprouting Seeds

For years, I've kept lentils in my pantry as part of my food storage program. Like many preparedness-minded families, I look for ways to stretch my budget while still maintaining a practical stockpile. With food prices continuing to rise, I recently decided to conduct a simple experiment to see whether inexpensive grocery store lentils could still compete with premium sprouting seeds.

The experiment compared two very different products.

5-year-old-Lentil-Seeds

The first was several packages of lentils I purchased from Walmart more than five years ago - stored in an old wine jug ;)  These lentils had been sitting in storage and were originally purchased as food rather than specifically for sprouting.

Purchased fresh from online 

The second was a fresh package of sprouting lentils from Todd's Seeds, a company I have purchased from before and have always been pleased with. Todd's Seeds sells high-quality sprouting seeds specifically intended for germination.

The difference in cost immediately caught my attention.

My Walmart lentils (prices today - June 2026) cost only $1.96 per pound.

My original Walmart lentils were purchased over five years ago and likely cost well under today's $1.96 per pound price. The fact that they still sprouted after years in storage made this experiment even more interesting.

The Todd's Seeds package cost $9.99 for just one-quarter pound. At that rate, purchasing a full pound would cost approximately $39.96.

Product	Cost per Pound
Walmart Lentils	$1.96
Todd's Seeds	$39.96
Difference	Todd's costs about 20 times more

I do want to add that I have successfully purchased seeds from Todd's Seeds, and have been satisfied but this article is merely a price comparison, because groceries continue to spike, I think it is important to look for more ways to get bang for the buck. 

STORE is 5 year seeds from Walmart - blank tray is Todd's Seeds

To compare the two, I sprouted both varieties side by side under the same conditions. The fresh Todd's Seeds lentils performed exactly as expected and produced the best germination rate. Overall, they appeared to sprout about 25 percent better than my old stored lentils.

I rotated two trays of each on the sprouter

However, the most surprising result was not that the fresh seeds won.

It was that the five-year-old Walmart lentils still sprouted remarkably well.

Tray of old seeds on left side - not much difference than the new seeds on right 

Considering their age and the fact that they had been purchased as ordinary grocery store food, I was impressed by how many still germinated successfully. For anyone interested in preparedness, food storage, or reducing grocery costs, this demonstrates that inexpensive pantry staples can sometimes serve multiple purposes.

Newer seeds on left - old seeds on right. 

Would I buy the premium sprouting seeds again?

Yes.

If my goal were achieving the highest germination rates possible, Todd's Seeds clearly produced the best results. Fresh seeds specifically intended for sprouting have advantages, and those advantages showed up in this experiment.

But if my goal is maximizing value and stretching my preparedness budget, the grocery store lentils deserve serious consideration. The price difference is difficult to ignore when one pound of specialty seeds can cost nearly $40 compared to less than $2 for a pound of grocery store lentils.

Again, I want to emphasize that this experiment was using 5-year-old seeds. I have no doubt the new Walmart seeds will germinate just as good as the new seeds shown.  

This experiment reinforced something I have learned repeatedly over the years: sometimes the best preparedness bargains can be found right in the grocery store aisle.

Seeds are on sale today. I personally would bargain shop for anymore seeds online

While specialty products certainly have their place, stocking up on affordable foods when prices are reasonable can often provide excellent value. Even after five years in storage, these lentils were still capable of producing fresh sprouts, making them an inexpensive option for anyone interested in adding fresh nutrition to their pantry planning.

Today's price - June 2026. When I purchased the old seeds 5 yrs ago, I paid less than $1 a bag.

As food prices continue to climb, finding practical ways to stretch every dollar becomes increasingly important. This side-by-side comparison was a reminder that the most expensive option is not always the only option, and sometimes the bargains we overlook today may become some of the most valuable items in our pantry tomorrow.

Sprouting 5 year old Lentil Seeds along with new

All in all, this experiment reinforced me to keep saving my old seeds, to do more shopping comparisons and to stock up while the prices are low. 

Do you love this DELUXE SEED SPROUTER? <-----------I'm thinking of buying another. I am an Amazon affiliate and any products I recommend I actually buy and use myself. I receive a small commission at ZERO cost to you.    Check out my other links on sprouting: 

Sprouting Seeds: The Fastest Garden You Can Grow Anywhere

How We Store Coffee for Long-Term Preparedness and Rising Prices

 

Which Coffee Stores Best Long Term? Comparing Freeze-Dried, Instant, Whole Bean, and Ground Coffee

For many people, coffee is more than just a beverage. It's a daily ritual and often one of the first things they look forward to in the morning. In our household, coffee is one of the top priorities in our kitchen preparedness plan. While some people focus on stocking up on comfort foods like chocolate or snacks, coffee is something we make sure to keep on hand at all times.

Not only do we store several types of coffee, including freeze-dried, instant, whole bean, and ground coffee, but we also maintain multiple backup methods for brewing it. Whether the power is out, we're traveling, or our coffee maker quits working, we can still enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

Over the years, I've also watched coffee prices steadily increase. Because of this, I try to purchase coffee when it's on sale and rotate through our supply regularly. Coffee disappears quickly in our home, so keeping an eye on inventory is just as important as storing it.

If you're building a long-term pantry, here's how the most common types of coffee compare.

Freeze-Dried Coffee

Freeze-dried coffee is often considered one of the best choices for long-term storage.

Pros

• Extremely long shelf life when unopened
• Lightweight and compact
• Requires only hot water
• No grinder or brewing equipment needed
• Easy to store in emergency supplies

Cons

• Generally more expensive per cup
• Some coffee drinkers prefer the flavor of brewed coffee

For emergency preparedness, freeze-dried coffee is hard to beat. It takes up little space and can provide years of storage life when kept in a cool, dry location.

Instant Coffee

Instant coffee has been a pantry staple for generations.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Long shelf life
• Simple preparation
• Requires no equipment

Cons

• Flavor may not appeal to everyone
• Usually not as rich as brewed coffee

While instant coffee isn't my first choice for everyday drinking, I keep some on hand because it stores well and offers a reliable backup if other supplies run low.

Whole Coffee Beans

Whole beans generally retain their flavor longer than ground coffee.

Pros

• Best flavor retention
• Longer freshness than ground coffee
• Flexible storage option

Cons

• Requires a grinder
• Additional equipment needed

If you enjoy quality coffee, whole beans can be an excellent option. Just remember that in a prolonged emergency, you'll need a manual grinder or another way to process the beans.

Ground Coffee

Ground coffee remains one of the most popular options because it's convenient and familiar.

Pros

• Ready to brew
• Widely available
• No grinder required

Cons

• Loses freshness faster than whole beans
• Shorter storage life once opened

Even so, ground coffee is still one of our primary storage choices because it's easy to rotate through regular daily use.

Don't Forget About Brewing Methods

Storing coffee is only part of the equation. You also need a way to make it.

While we have several backup brewing methods available, I've discovered that the simple drip method works in almost any situation.

A reusable coffee filter can be used repeatedly, or standard paper coffee filters can be stored alongside your coffee supply. Simply place the coffee in the filter and slowly pour hot water over the grounds. The process is essentially the same as a standard drip coffee maker, only without electricity.

This simple method requires very little equipment and has helped make coffee preparedness much easier.

Which Coffee Stores Best?

If I had to rank them strictly for long-term preparedness, my list would look like this:

1. Freeze-dried coffee
2. Instant coffee
3. Whole coffee beans
4. Ground coffee

However, I don't rely on just one type. In our home, we keep a combination of all four.

Freeze-dried and instant coffee provide excellent emergency backups. Whole beans offer longer freshness and great flavor. Ground coffee remains convenient for daily use and easy rotation.

Price Comparison 

Sam's Club prices - May 2025

Sam's Club prices - June 2026 

Coffee	May 2025	June 2026	Increase
Member's Mark 40 oz	$13.98	$16.98	+$3.00 (+21%)
Seattle's Best 32 oz	$13.54	$16.98	+$3.44 (+25%)
Community Coffee 40 oz	$19.99	$21.48	+$1.49 (+7%)

               Why I Started Stocking More Coffee

A few years ago, I didn't pay much attention to coffee prices. Coffee was simply something we bought when we needed it. But after watching prices steadily rise, I've started treating coffee more like any other pantry staple that needs to be rotated and replenished before supplies run low.

While looking through some old shopping records from May 2025, I found that a 40-ounce container of Member's Mark Colombian coffee cost $13.98. By June 2026, that same coffee had increased to $16.98.

Seattle's Best 32-ounce coffee increased from $13.54 to $16.98 during the same period, while Community Coffee climbed from $19.99 to $21.48.

Those price increases may not seem dramatic at first glance, but when coffee is something you drink every day, they add up quickly over time.

For that reason, coffee has become one of the items I try to keep stocked and rotated in our pantry.

Preparedness Isn’t Just About Survival — Comfort Foods Matter Too

How Far Could You Walk in an Emergency?

 

How Far Could You Really Walk If the Grid Went Down?

When I began writing my Miles Away trilogy, I knew I wanted the story to feel realistic. My main character, Joanie, is a middle-aged woman in average physical condition who finds herself stranded hundreds of miles from home after a national crisis.

Like many people, I initially assumed that if someone was determined enough, they could simply shoulder a backpack and start walking. After all, people hike long distances every day, don't they?

What I discovered during my research surprised me.

To get Joanie home to her thirteen-year-old son, I mapped possible routes from southern Missouri through Arkansas and Oklahoma. I researched walking speeds, daily mileage, food requirements, water needs, weather exposure, footwear, injuries, and how much weight an average person could realistically carry.

The deeper I researched, the more concerned I became.

What started as research for a novel quickly became a personal lesson in preparedness.

On average, 10-15 miles a day

The Reality of Walking Long Distances

Most of us drive hundreds of miles without thinking twice about it. We travel unfamiliar highways guided by GPS and assume help is only a phone call away.

But what happens if your vehicle breaks down in a remote area?

What if there is no cell service?

What if your phone battery dies?

What if help is several hours—or several days—away?

Suddenly distance feels very different.

How Far Could You Walk?

Distance	Estimated Walking Time
5 Miles	1-2 Hours
10 Miles	Half Day
20 Miles	Full Day
50 Miles	3-5 Days
100 Miles	1-2 Weeks

As I worked through Joanie's journey, I realized that a distance that seems manageable on a map can become overwhelming when you are carrying supplies, dealing with weather, avoiding dangerous areas, or simply trying to find enough water.

The farther I planned her route, the more I understood how vulnerable many of us would be if forced to travel on foot.

The Importance of Having a Plan

One of the biggest lessons I learned had nothing to do with a major disaster.

Even a simple vehicle breakdown can leave someone stranded and isolated.

That realization reminded me of a trip overseas years ago.

While traveling in Turkey with my daughter, we took preparedness seriously. Before leaving home, we located the nearest U.S. embassy and wrote down its address and phone number. We studied city maps and familiarized ourselves with the route between our lodging and the embassy in case we became separated or lost.

We carried written phone numbers and placed copies of important documents in separate locations. We even stored spare copies of our passport information in our luggage.

At the time, it felt like a precaution we would probably never need.

Looking back, it was simply good planning.

The same principle applies when traveling in the United States.

Many people assume their phone will always work. But batteries fail. Phones get lost. Electronics break. Cell towers can become overloaded or unavailable.

A paper map and written phone numbers may seem old-fashioned, but they still work when technology doesn't.

What I Keep in Mind Now

Researching Joanie's journey changed how I think about travel preparedness.

Today, I believe every vehicle should contain a few basic items:

• Extra drinking water
• Emergency food or snacks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Extra socks
• Cash in small bills
• A paper map
• A flashlight
• A tarp
• Basic first-aid supplies
• Phone numbers written on paper

One item that became especially important in my novel was a simple tarp.

For Joanie, a tarp served multiple purposes. It provided a dry place to sleep, protection from rain, and emergency shelter when needed.

Preparedness often isn't about carrying more gear. It's about finding multiple uses for the gear you already have.

Know Your Distance

Another lesson I learned while mapping Joanie's route was the importance of understanding distance.

How far is it from your workplace to your home?

How far is it from your favorite vacation destination?

How far would you need to travel if you became stranded?

Many people have never calculated these distances.

Knowing the mileage allows you to estimate how long a journey might take if you had to walk.

It also helps you identify potential obstacles, water sources, towns, and alternate routes before an emergency ever occurs.

Don't Forget Your Feet

One injury can end a long walk quickly.

Blisters, sprains, and ankle injuries become serious problems when help is unavailable.

Comfortable footwear may be one of the most overlooked preparedness items.

Broken-in walking shoes, quality socks, and even a simple ankle support brace can make a tremendous difference.

The best emergency plan in the world becomes difficult to execute if you can barely walk.

The Lesson I Took Away

By the time I finished researching Miles Away, I found myself feeling something unexpected.

Fear.

Not fear of a fictional disaster, but fear of realizing how dependent we have become on convenience and technology.

The experience reminded me that preparedness isn't about expecting the worst.

It's about thinking ahead.

It's about having a backup plan if your car breaks down.

It's about carrying enough water to get home.

It's about knowing where you're going before you need to get there.

It's about having cash when electronic payments aren't available.

And it's about understanding that a little planning today can prevent a lot of problems tomorrow.

Whether you're traveling across the country or simply driving to the next town, always have a plan.

Because the most important lesson I learned while writing Joanie's journey is this:

Hope is not a plan. Preparation is.

While researching the Miles Away trilogy, I spent countless hours mapping routes, calculating walking distances, and exploring the practical challenges of traveling on foot during an emergency. If you'd like to follow Joanie's journey home, you can find the series on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

7 Things That Would Happen in the First 24 Hours After an EMP

Worst Case Scenario: How a Cyber Attack Could Disrupt Power, Water, and Daily Life