Best Emergency Food Supply

Introduction

In this day and age, it is wise to keep an emergency food supply in case of disaster or unforeseen circumstances. Emergencies can occur at any time, and having a reliable food supply can help you and your family stay safe and well-fed.

This article will provide a comprehensive introduction to emergency food supplies, including:

  • The different types of food.
  • The importance of nutrition.
  • The overall benefits of keeping an emergency food stockpile.

What is an emergency food supply

An emergency food supply is a collection of provisions that you can use if you and your family experience a food shortage due to any type of natural disaster, health pandemic, or other type of crisis. It is important to build an emergency food supply that contains a variety of items that are accessible, shelf stable, and nutrient-dense so that you can stay healthy and nourished in times of need.

The range of items such as canned goods, dried goods, and dehydrated foods should cover an average adult’s daily caloric intake over an extended period like 3-6 months or longer. Your emergency food supply should also include items like:

  • Wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hygiene products
  • Storable proteins such as beans or nuts
  • Powdered milk products for infants or people with dietary restrictions
  • Vitamins and mineral tablets for nutritional support

Having an emergency food supply will give you the security during uncertain times so it is essential to always check your supply regularly for expiration dates and ingredients that may have been compromised from age or climate changes. Even if you decide not to use it in an actual emergency situation remember your family's health is your number one priority!

Types of Emergency Food

In case of an emergency, having a food supply is a must. There are many different types of emergency food that you can choose from, depending on the situation you may face and your level of preparedness. Some of these include ready-to-eat meals, freeze-dried meals, canned food, and more. Let's take a look at some of the most popular types of emergency food and discuss the pros and cons of each:

  • Ready-to-eat meals
  • Freeze-dried meals
  • Canned food

Canned goods

Canned goods, like proteins, fruits and vegetables, are a popular choice when putting together an emergency food supply. They have many advantages such as: being non-perishable, being widely available and generally reasonably priced. If stored properly (in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight) canned foods can last up to five years.

Canned protein options are plentiful and include canned fish, meats and beans. Vegetables such as spinach, carrots, potatoes and corn can also be found in cans; so can fruits like pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges.

Having a wide variety of canned goods in your emergency food supply will allow you to create nutritious meals while keeping calories up during difficult times. As with any food item it’s important to make sure that the cans are in good condition before consuming their contents; so check for swelling or rust before opening them up!

Canned goods are just one of the many types of emergency food supplies out there – experiment with different flavors and recipes to create your own personalized provisions!

Freeze-dried foods

Freeze-dried foods are a type of food preservation that can provide a long shelf-life emergency food supply. Freeze drying is the process of quickly freezing and then removing the ice crystals from food in a vacuum chamber, which helps to preserve the integrity of its nutritional value, texture, and taste. Freeze-dried food is lightweight and often comes in convenient single-serving size portions. It's also easy to rehydrate by simply adding water.

Different varieties of freeze-dried foods are available featuring fruits, vegetables, proteins such as beef, chicken and fish, as well as complete meals like lasagna or chili. Some freeze-dried products may require cooking before eating while others do not need any additional preparation. When correctly stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions, freeze dried meals can provide up to 25 years shelf life storage. In general it's best to purchase smaller amounts of freeze-dried foods to be replaced every 2 – 3 years so that you're always receiving freshness and maximum nutrition from your supply.

Moreover freeze dried meals are typically packaged in airtight #10 cans or Mylar pouches making them an ideal option for adding variety within a long term emergency food supply package. Making sure that you have diverse meal options during an emergency situation is key for maintaining energy levels and morale throughout your time of need.

MREs

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are self-contained and fully prepared meals that are widely available in the marketplace. They are made as individual entrees, snacks and desserts, and contain all the nutrition you need to keep your body functioning during an emergency or disaster. MREs can range from commercial brands like Mountain House® or AlpineAire® to military issued meals dating back as far as World War II. Many MREs are shelf stable for up to five years, making them an easy choice for long-term food storage needs.

With flavors ranging from classic beef stew and lasagna to spicy chili macaroni and breakfast burritos, there's something for everyone. Additional benefits include:

  • no refrigeration needed until opened;
  • no preparation required;
  • a variety of calorie counts available from 300-1,200 calories per meal;
  • vitamin enriched;
  • some meals offer single serving packs;
  • freeze dried fruit mix options available;
  • main courses usually come with side dishes such as crackers, cheese spreads or dessert items.

In addition to their convenience in an emergency situation, MREs have proven useful in camping settings when traditional cooking is limited due to time constraints or lack of resources.

Dehydrated foods

Dehydrated foods are popular for emergency food supplies due to their long shelf life and lightweight design. Dehydration is a process that removes moisture from food, typically by using heat. The low moisture content of dehydrated foods helps to preserve the food for much longer than fresh foods, making them well-suited for long-term storage and extended use in a disaster situation.

Dehydrated foods can be used as part of an overall emergency preparation strategy. Common examples of dehydrated foods include dried fruit, vegetables, soup mixes, grains, meats such as beef jerky and other common staples like beans or pasta. These items are usually packaged in their own container or bag and should be stored in a cool, dark location until ready to use.

It is important to note that while the dehydration process helps preserve the food's nutritional value and flavor longer than other methods like canning or freezing, the quality will significantly deteriorate over time if not properly stored. For best results store in an airtight container away from light, high temperatures and extreme humidity for up to 5 years. Additionally it is recommended to test dehydrated breakfast items before consumption as some products may contain eggs or milk which have a shorter shelf life than other ingredients.

Factors to Consider When Buying Emergency Food

Having a good supply of emergency food is essential for ensuring your family has enough to eat in the event of an emergency. When picking out the best emergency food supply for you and your family, there are a few factors to consider. These include shelf life, packaging, nutrition, and variety.

In this article, we will go over all of these factors in detail to help you make the best decision for your emergency food supply:

  • Shelf life
  • Packaging
  • Nutrition
  • Variety

Shelf life

When shopping for emergency food, one of the most important factors to consider is its shelf life. The shelf life of a food describes how long it can be stored without spoiling or becoming unsafe to eat. It is important to understand your particular needs and choose a product with an appropriate expiration date.

When looking at the shelf life of emergency food, there are two types to consider:

  1. Non-perishable goods such as canned goods, dried foods, beverages, and other long-lasting items; and
  2. Perishable goods such as meats, dairy products, eggs, and other items that must remain refrigerated or frozen until ready for use or consumption.

Non-perishable goods are typically rated for 1–5 years or longer depending on the item’s shelf stability; check the product labels carefully for guidelines on individual storage life. If a non-perishable item doesn’t come with an expiration date already printed on it then you should plan on replacing any unsolicited items every 5–10 years just to be sure they are still safely edible in case you need them in an emergency.

Perishable goods such as meats and dairy products will usually only last up to three months when stored in the refrigerator or up to twelve months when stored in the freezer so these require more frequent rotation out of your stockpile before they expire — all while accounting for spoilage due to freezer burn etc.– and should never be used past their expiration date under any circumstance! Additionally, if you use vacuum sealing technology when storing perishables their shelf life can be extended even further (upwards of two years) which adds another level of convenience if you're looking for long-term storage solutions.

Nutritional value

When buying emergency food for your home or workplace, it is important to consider the nutritional value of the food that you are purchasing. Nutritional value is determined by the level of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and/or vitamins/minerals present in each serving of food. Depending on your needs, you should look for foods that are either high in protein, carbohydrates or vitamins/minerals. It is also important to assess the caloric content of each item if you are monitoring calorie intake.

Aside from looking at nutrition content per serving size, another factor to consider when making an emergency food purchase is shelf life. Non-perishable food can last up to 5 years without losing its nutritional value if stored properly. Many dried foods like cereal and peanut butter can be packed away and stored in a cool dark place with minimal risk of spoilage. Canned foods with a long shelf life can also be a great choice for stocking up on essential items prior to an emergency situation.

You may also want to consider convenience when buying non-perishable emergency supplies for your home or office building. Some considerations include:

  • Dried goods like pasta and beans will require some time to cook before they can be eaten which may prove difficult during an emergency situation with limited access to resources and utensils.
  • Pre-packaged meals such as canned soup may provide more convenience as they require no additional preparation aside from heating up prior consumption.

Taste

When investing in an emergency food supply, it’s important to give thought to taste. Sure, most of the foods that make up an emergency stockpile won't necessarily be the stuff you'd want to eat off of the dinner table every night. But if an emergency occurs and you’re forced to rely on these supplies for sustenance, they should be tolerable enough not to completely ruin your mealtimes.

Making sure the food doesn't draw too many complaints from your family members is important for morale during a crisis. No one wants to struggle through bites of something they can't stomach or generally don't like when there are limited meal options available. So it's wise for each family member’s preferences and tastes should be considered when selecting items for your stockpile.

To get around this issue, think about investing in long-lasting staples like grains, dried beans and canned goods instead of relying heavily on freeze-dried or packaged food. You can stock up on carbohydrates that can easily be transformed into meals with very little added effort during a time of crisis using just canned tomatoes or reconstituted dried fruit as accompaniments. Peanut butter, nuts and jerky are also good options that require no cooking.

If there is one area where you're allowed to splurge in preparing your survival stash it's by buying high quality shelf stable perishables like artisanal olive oil or craft beer along with rich broths and stock concentrates so you at least have a few treats even if things get tough!

Price

Price is an important factor to consider when buying emergency food. It can be difficult to decide what to buy, particularly when buying multi-month supplies of food. Understand your budget and look for ways to save money on bulk purchases. Consider buying from local stores, as they may have lower prices than big box stores or online retailers. Additionally, look for sales and promotions to stretch your budget further.

Purchasing large quantities of freeze dried and dehydrated foods can offer great value as well as convenience in storage and use. Look for variety in the type of foods you are purchasing as this will ensure that meals stay interesting over long periods of time in an emergency situation. Canned goods are also a great option, but they can be more expensive than freeze dried or dehydrated options due to their short shelf life and the need for frequent restocking. When shopping online, make sure to check shipping costs before ordering as this may increase the cost significantly depending on the weight of the items being ordered.

Best Emergency Food Supply Options

Having an emergency food supply is an essential part of any preparedness plan. Emergency food supply options come in various forms and can be tailored to meet individual needs. From freeze dried meals to canned foods, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, and protein bars, there are numerous options available to those looking to ensure their families are ready in the event of an emergency.

Let's take a look at some of the best emergency food supply options:

Augason Farms

Augason Farms is a family-owned business located in Utah that provides emergency food supply options. They offer a wide variety of food items with a long shelf-life and that require little preparation, making it a great choice for your emergency food supply needs.

Their emergency kits offer a variety of different food types, including grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and protein sources. Kits range from short-term (one week) to long term (up to one year). They are available in different sizes to meet the needs of any household.

In addition to their emergency kits, Augason Farms also provides individual foods such as freeze dried fruits and vegetables, canned proteins and grains as well as broths and soups. Many of their products have up to 25 years shelf life making them an ideal choice for any emergency or survival situation.

Augason Farms ensures quality control measures throughout the production process to guarantee their product safety and nutritional value over extended periods of time.

Mountain House

Mountain House offers a comprehensive ready-to-eat emergency food supply that consists of breakfast, dinner, snacks, and drinks. With a 40+ year shelf life, these meals are made to be convenient to carry for evacuation or survival needs. The Mountain House freeze-dried recipes are well balanced with organic ingredients that guarantee healthy caloric intake.

These pouches have been designed to fit in the smallest spaces of your 72 hour or bug out backpacks. Their lightweight and durable materials make them the ideal go-to emergency food source in case of an emergency situation. Mountain House freeze dried meals include varieties such as cheddar cheese grits and tortilla chips with beef chili sauce; rice and chicken; pasta primavera with vegetable rotini; scrambled eggs with bacon; apple oatmeal pancakes – all ready with only water added and cooked within minutes.

In addition to freeze-dried food options, Mountain House also offers ready made dishes such as creamy macaroni & cheese packed in pouches for convenience. With just boiling water or a campfire you can enjoy ease and comfort knowing that your family will have plenty of nourishment available at all times!

Wise Company

Wise Company is one of the most dependable emergency food supply companies available. Their products are designed to provide convenient and affordable meals for families, campers, and outdoors enthusiasts. With their freeze-dried and dehydrated entrees, breakfasts, vegetables, fruits, meat and desserts, Wise Company provides a variety of options for those looking to prepare or purchase a reliable emergency food supply.

All of their meals are prepared in the USA using premium quality ingredients that can be stored safely at room temperature for up to 25 years and require minimal preparation so you'll always be prepared when you need it most. Thanks to their long shelf life, Wise Company's products make an ideal addition to any home or business emergency plan as they're guaranteed to stay fresh until you're ready to use them. Additionally, they offer an extensive selection of high-calorie gourmet snacks that can be used anytime!

Emergency Essentials

Emergency Essentials are items that you should always have on hand in case of a natural disaster, or other unforeseen circumstances. These essential supplies can keep you healthy, and help provide your family with food, water and other items they need to get through the crisis.

The basic supplies should include:

  • Non-perishable food: Canned goods, ready-to-eat meals, dried foods, jerky and other high protein snacks.
  • Water: One gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
  • First aid kit: To treat minor injuries and illnesses.
  • Flashlight & batteries: Or a wind up flashlight if batteries are scarce.
  • Radio: Hand crank or battery powered to receive important updates on the situation.
  • Multi tool: For a variety of uses such as opening cans or building emergency shelters.
  • Can opener: Manual or electric to open canned goods.
  • Matches & lighter/fire starter kit: To start fires for cooking or warmth in an emergency situation.
  • Personal hygiene items/sanitary products – such as toilet paper, feminine hygiene supplies, soap & shampoo etc.

These essentials should be stored in a secure location; in case of an evacuation it's important to be able to carry them with you if possible. Many people prefer to keep two caches one for their home use and another for travel use that can easily be moved if needed. Remember it's not just about having the supplies but knowing how to use them correctly!

Conclusion

When it comes to building a food supply for an emergency, it’s important to start with non-perishables that have long shelf lives, like canned meats and vegetables, rice, beans and dried fruit. Additionally, make sure to include items like powdered milk and dehydrated vegetables so you have the required nutrition for any length of emergency.

Finally, consider adding long-use condiments like honey and olive oil for flavor. With careful planning and consideration of accessibility and health needs, you can build a robust and effective emergency food supply. Remember to store in a cool and dry location away from any sources of extreme heat or cold for optimal shelf life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best emergency food supply?

The best emergency food supply should contain a variety of nutrient-rich, non-perishable items such as canned goods, grains, beans, nuts, and dried fruit.

How long can a emergency food supply last?

The duration of an emergency food supply depends on the amount of food stored, how it is managed, and the number of people it is intended to feed. Typically, a well-stocked emergency food supply should last between 2-4 weeks.

What should I include in an emergency food supply?

A good emergency food supply should include items like canned goods, grains, beans, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter and other sources of protein, and shelf-stable milk and juice. It should also include some comfort foods like candy and crackers.