
Packaging – If you’re just keeping a deep pantry and cycling your ingredients, then packaging can be anything that keeps insects and rodents out on a day-to-day basis. You’ll need to pack them yourself, and they’re more work to prepare, but they’ll save you money initially. Cost – Generally higher effort homemade emergency food supplies (ie. Packing away pantry staples yourself also involves a lot of planning and effort, not to mention the cost of packaging. Pre-packaged ready-made meals are low effort, and cooking from a deep pantry of flour and beans is high effort. Effort – Not just effort to cook, but effort in terms of meal planning in the midst of a crisis. Cook Time – Is the meal already prepared (just add water) or “heat and eat” like an MRE, or will you need a whole kitchen on hand (pots, pans, stove, etc) to get the meal on the table?. The flavor is incredibly important, and while you may say “I’d eat anything in an emergency,” you’re planning ahead so you don’t find yourself eating rats. Flavor – Is it something my family will eat? There’s no sense in storing things you’re family just won’t (or can’t eat). You can live on hard tack and basic provisions, but you can’t thrive on it. Nutrition – Beyond just straight calories, it’s important to consider both macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) as well as micro nutrients like vitamins. Calories – The first consideration for most people, will this emergency food provide enough calories to fuel your body? The average person needs 2,000 calories when not active, but as much as 3,500 calories during times of stress and exertion. Is this a short-term emergency like a temporary power outage that interrupts cooking, or a long-term emergency where you’ll be without supplies or services for days or weeks at a time? The best type of emergency food supply depends not only on your family’s needs but also on the type of emergency.
Even a hundred years ago a family wouldn’t go into winter without enough food to see them through, though we routinely wake up one day without enough food on hand to make dinner.Įmergency food supplies have enabled countless generations to thrive during adverse conditions, and we’re all around today thanks to the advanced planning of our ancestors. You could say that we live in uncertain times, but we’ve always lived in uncertain times. Everything from natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, to supply chain uncertainty, global conflict, and even inflation. Keeping your family fed might seem simple, but everything gets a bit harder when you factor in the potential for emergencies. Clockwise from Top Left: Freeze dried food from Emergency Suppliers, MREs, shelf stable versions of perishable ingredients and home canned goods. Chapman listed fruit and vegetable juices as a perfect shelf-stable item to stock up on.Emergency Food Supply Options.However, Detwiler notes that many soups and beans should still be properly cooked when possible. Soups are easy to store and usually have a long shelf life.Dried rice is another shelf-stable option that can be enjoyed in a matter of minutes.Since they come in pouches, no draining is necessary. Packets of tuna are a great source of protein and calories.Canned evaporated milk is a great way to consume dairy and a source of vitamin D.To keep up your intake of essential vitamins, fruit bowls make for an easy snack or dessert.Dry pasta is easy to store, cook and save.Nut butters are high in calories and are also a convenient source of protein.Chapman listed granola bars and breakfast bars as items to keep on hand that can be enjoyed at any time.This variety pack is available on Amazon and features two different flavors that are packed with protein.
Crackers are an easy option when it comes to snacking.