Emergency Food Supply: A Guide to Long-Term Storage and Preparedness
02-03-2025
Having a reliable emergency food supply helps guarantee survival during disasters. However, without proper preparation and storage, it’s difficult to maximize the longevity and usability of food supplies.
You need a trusted provider of long-term emergency food solutions and the best storage advice. In this article, we’ll explore the top options at EmergencyKits.com and the storage steps to take.
Why an Emergency Food Supply Is Essential
Recent events serve as stark reminders of the unpredictable nature of emergencies. These events serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of proactive emergency planning.
- Hurricane Milton made landfall in the fall of 2024, prompting evacuation orders and a multi-state emergency. Some individuals were stranded for weeks after the storm.
- The state of Texas had 210 weather-related power outages from 2000 to 2023 … and they’re not alone. Aging infrastructure and increased storms will damage power systems across the globe.
- In 2023, major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria took over 55,000 lives and left hundreds of thousands of people without access to water and food.
Emergencies are not isolated to one area. The American Red Cross responds to about 65,000 domestic disasters annually and thousands more globally, suggesting that preparedness will come in handy eventually.
Both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross recommend having a three-day emergency supply of food per person. The Red Cross recommends maintaining this three-day supply for evacuation situations and storing a two-week supply for shelter-in-place situations.
While emergency food bars are convenient and suitable for short-term needs, freeze-dried meals offer a more robust solution for extended periods. Freeze-dried food provides a wider variety of options, ensuring adequate nutrition and maintaining morale during prolonged emergencies.
The best survival food kits have a long shelf life and can be stored for years. These food items need to be shelf-stable and ready at a moment's notice. That way, you can rest assured knowing you're ready for any emergency.
What to Include in Your Emergency Food Supply
Your emergency food supply must contain enough non-perishable food for your entire emergency party. These supplies need to fit into the following categories.
Non-Perishable Foods with Long Shelf Lives
Consider that not all non-perishable foods have the same shelf life. Non-perishable simply means that your food can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time without spoiling.
The longest shelf life for non-perishable items comes from the freeze-drying process. Freeze-dried food is rapidly frozen and vacuum sealed. This process removes moisture, making your food item shelf-stable. These foods may last for 15 years. Alternatively, canned food and specialty food bars are also non-perishable and have a shelf life of a few years.
It's best to balance these items into a short-term and long-term supply.
- Freeze-Dried Meals
- Freeze-Dried Fruits
- Canned Goods
- Canned Chicken
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Fruits
High-Calorie and Nutrient-Dense Foods
You will need plenty of nutrient-rich foods that pack a ton of calories. Exact estimates vary on how many calories are needed per day, so when you're assembling your emergency food, err on the side of caution.
Store around 3,000 calories per person per day, particularly when preparing for extended emergencies. A child's recommended calorie intake ranges from 1,000 to 2,800. Your go-bags should contain three days worth of food, meaning you need lightweight products that don't take up a lot of space. Consider the following:
- Protein Bars
- Powdered Milk
- Powdered Eggs
- Pouch Soup
Special Dietary Needs
Are you packing for yourself, for your family, or for a wider group like an office or school? Gather information on whether individuals with allergies or specific medical conditions will be in your group. This is obviously much easier to do for your family. Send out a survey to larger groups and pack just-in-case supplies that are allergy-free.
Infants will require special consideration and likely need separate emergency items.
- Gluten-Free Freeze-Dried Meals
- Lactose-Free Freeze-Dried Meals
- Emergency Formula
- Extra Bottles
- Bottle Sanitation Equipment
Comfort Foods
Small treats help maintain morale in stressful situations. These comfort items aren’t as shelf-stable as your standard emergency rations. You’ll need to regularly replace these items, so we recommend selecting just a few comfort foods for storage.
Before expiration, switch the foods in storage with a fresh replacement and eat the older item.
- Chocolate
- Peanut Butter
- Coffee
- Powdered Hot Chocolate
- Pancake Mix
- Powdered Mashed Potatoes
How to Store Your Emergency Food Supply Properly
Now that you've assembled the food you need, it's time to pack it. Without proper storage, your food may go bad or be difficult to transport. Follow these tips to ensure access to usable emergency food.
Ideal Storage Conditions
Keep food in a cool, dry, and dark environment to prevent spoilage. Some emergency food will remain shelf stable at more severe temperatures, but you should still avoid areas with temperature fluctuations, such as attics or garages.
Furthermore, consider the potential impact of natural disasters. In areas prone to earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes, avoid storing your emergency food supplies directly beneath or near large structures. The potential for damage during these events can render your provisions inaccessible.
Packaging Tips
Use airtight containers, mylar bags, and oxygen absorbers for maximum freshness. Pack food in these storage containers and then place them inside your emergency kit.
Rotation and Inspection
Regularly check expiration dates and rotate supplies into regular use to ensure freshness. A professional emergency supplies provider will pre-label foods for ease of use.
Long-Term Food Storage Solutions
It’s a hassle to hunt down and assemble your own emergency food supply. The best long-term food storage solution is a ready-made kit with pre-packaged, freeze-dried meals. These foods come with 20+ years of shelf life and are lightweight and portable.
They’re also easy to make. Just add hot or cold water, wait a few minutes, and they’re ready to enjoy. You can find kits tailored for families, schools, offices, and more. These emergency food kits eliminate guesswork and ensure nutritional balance.
Additionally, our emergency food bars are designed for easy portioning, making them ideal for individual needs or distribution among a group.
Tips for Planning Your Emergency Food Supply
Assembling your emergency food supply can be a daunting task. The following tips can help you streamline the process of preparing your emergency food supplies.
- Calculate the amount of food needed based on family size and duration of emergencies
- Include a variety of meals to prevent monotony and ensure nutritional diversity
- Pair food supplies with essential water storage solutions for rehydration and cooking
- Pack food in go bags based on the carrying ability of the individual, not caloric needs
- Label each food item with possible allergies (if not already labeled)
- Store water or water filtration materials alongside your food stores
Be Prepared with the Right Emergency Food Supply
Proper long-term food storage is the first big step in achieving emergency preparedness. Don’t rely on perishable food during a crisis. Rest easy knowing you have bulk survival food stored and ready.
At EmergencyKits.com, we provide high-quality, long-lasting food solutions and emergency food kits to suit any need. Explore products and start preparing your emergency food supply today.
