Emergency Food Supply Shopping Guide



An emergency food supply provides peace of mind for life’s unexpected events. Choose the best emergency food supply based on shelf-life, storage capacity, and food quality.

Considerations

Here are a few things you'll want to consider when shopping for emergency food supplies:

Quantity: Emergency food supplies are designed to feed you for a specified timeframe. This capacity is calculated largely upon how many people you will need to feed. Make sure that you choose a kit that can feed your entire family, including your pets, for the specified amount of time.

Food Shelf-Life : Emergency food supplies come in diverse forms and include everything from basic pastas and rice to powdered milk and even freeze-dried ice cream. Each type of food has its own shelf-life. Some emergency food supplies last a year or two, so you will have to replace them more frequently. Other emergency food supplies can last 25 years and upwards.

Storage And Size : For emergency supply kits that you store in your car, you’ll want a smaller kit. But if you have plenty of storage space, you might want to consider larger supplies that will feed you and your family for longer.

Taste And Nutritional Value : In the case of an emergency, you will probably have bigger things to worry about than flavor profiles or over-salted mashed potato flakes. Nonetheless, having nutritious, tasty food is an important consideration when shopping for your emergency food supply. Don’t forget to consider dietary restrictions as well, such as food allergies or diabetic needs.

So how do you choose the best emergency food? These are the questions consumers frequently ask when shopping for emergency food supplies.



How much emergency food should you have?

How much emergency food you should have depends in large part on your specific situation, but FEMA does offer some general guidelines and recommendations for facing an unexpected disaster. They suggest having at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food that will feed your entire family. Keep in mind this is just the minimum and that two weeks is a preferable baseline. If you have the storage space and financial means to do so, many advisors recommend even having upwards of a month or even a year’s worth of storage.

How much emergency water should you have per person per day?

Emergency water needs can differ according to individual needs and situations. However, the general rule of thumb is that you should store a minimum of one gallon of water for each family member, per day. FEMA recommends having a minimum water storage approximating to about two weeks’ worth of proper hydration and sanitation. Don’t forget your pets, either—those family members will need water storage of their own as well.

What foods are good for emergency storage?

Shelf-stable, nutrient-rich foods that do not require refrigeration are fantastic choices for emergency storage. You have many options but a good place to start is with dry cereals, granola, protein bars, ready-to-eat meals, and special food for infants and pets.



Can you live on rice and beans?

Rice and beans may help keep you from starving, but they are far from providing all of the essential nutrients needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are an inexpensive component of any emergency food supply and a good addition to your line-up of diverse and nutritious foods. Since high morale is considered one of the biggest keys to survival, adding more flavorful dishes to your emergency food diet can be just the thing that lifts the spirits in a time of stress.

What is the best survival food with a long shelf-life?

Grains, rice, beans, and pastas tend to have an incredibly long shelf life of upwards of 30 years, especially if the supplier processed and packaged the food with longevity in mind. This can mean that they’ve vacuum-sealed their packaging or took other strict considerations in packing their products. You can also add kitchen staples to your food storage, such as oils, sugars, and cooking stocks, since they also have relatively long shelf lives.

How do you store emergency food?

It is best to store your emergency food supply in a cool, dry place. Remember that your storage area should also help keep the food safe from pests.

Final Thoughts

When looking for the best emergency food supply, look for quality products that have a long shelf life, taste good, and provide critical nutrients that will sustain you and your family in case you ever need them.