Get Prepared for Emergencies with ReadyWise’s Emergency Food Supply Kits
In this essay, I will discuss the importance of having a reliable emergency food supply and how it can help one cope with disasters and food shortages. With the occurrence of natural disasters, it is essential for everyone to prepare for a potential food shortage by creating an emergency food supply. When selecting an emergency food supply kit, it’s best to go with a product that offers a variety, such as the Mountain House 3-Day Emergency Food Supply Kit (https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/g37578091/best-emergency-food-kits/), or the Augason Farms 7-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit (https://www.amazon.com/Augason-Farms-5-09076-Day-1-Person/dp/B00GRLCVTG). Not only is it important to stock an emergency food supply, but it is equally essential that the food stored is safe for consumption and preparation. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (https://www.ready.gov/food), when making an emergency food supply, it is essential to purchase canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation. Additionally, it is good practice to make sure the food is stored in a place that is both cool and dry to prevent spoiling and contamination. Lastly, it is also important to note that emergency food supplies don’t just have to consist of canned food and dry mixes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrition.gov website (https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/shopping-cooking-and-meal-planning/emergency-food-supplies), food assistance programs such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) can also provide commodity-based foods that are available at food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries around the country. In conclusion, having an emergency food supply is an essential part of preparing for potential food shortages, and by taking simple steps such as stocking canned food, dry mixes, and taking advantage of emergency food assistance programs, one can help ensure they have access to food during and after disaster strikes., Having an emergency food supply is a crucial component of preparedness and can provide tangible benefits such as stability, nutrition, and security. In the case of an actual emergency, a readily available supply of food can dramatically improve circumstances whether for one person or an entire family (Forbes Vetted, ‘Best Emergency Food Supplies 2023′). When gathering food for an emergency supply it is important to focus on high-energy, infant specific, and comfort foods that can last a long time with limited or no refrigeration (Ready.gov, ‘Food'). To ensure safe and adequate food, consider investing in an emergency food storage system, and make sure to include manual can openers and other eating utensils (CDC, ‘Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency'). Additionally, it is important to rotate/use/replace perishable foods every six months.Having an emergency food supply is an investment – in both time and resources – that can provide lasting peace of mind in the event of an emergency.,
When it comes to emergency food supplies, there are several choices available. Canned foods offer a variety of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and juices that can last for years if stored properly (Ready.gov). MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are another convenient option for emergency food supplies as they can be stored for years and require no preparation (Practical Self Reliance). Freeze-dried foods offer another healthy option as they keep their original nutrient density while also having a long shelf-life (Feed Nutrition). Additionally, frozen food items like fruits, vegetables, and certain meats can be stored for months and used when needed (Sunwarrior). With these options readily available, having a sufficient emergency food supply is achievable.,
Having an emergency food supply is an essential part of every family’s emergency preparedness plan. The food items included in an emergency food supply should provide a balanced diet and include a variety of different food types in order to offer adequate nutrition, as well as taste and diversity. (USAID, https://www.usaid.gov/food-assistance/what-we-do/emergency-activities/types-emergency) As part of an emergency ration, having a few cans of corn, peas, carrots, and legumes are excellent choices since they keep for a long period of time and can provide essential nutrients. (Simply Survival, https://www.simplysurvival.com/emergency-food-supply/) Tomatoes are also a good option, due to their acidic nature, though they tend to have a shorter shelf-life than other canned vegetables. Dried fruits are also a great option when stocking an emergency food supply since they add variety and sweet, comforting flavors to meals. Additionally, types of canned meats, like canned chicken or fish, provide reliable protein sources. Keeping a variety of food types in a stockpile is essential to making sure you have an adequate supply and diet during a disaster or crisis., When it comes to emergency food supply, it is important to know how to store and rotate the food correctly. This is especially important if you are relying on the supply during an emergency. Heat causes many foods to spoil quickly and, as such, food should be stored away from ranges and refrigerator exhausts (Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency – CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html). Furthermore, food should be kept away from petroleum products such as gasoline and oil, which can otherwise contaminate edible food. Food should also be properly protected from rodents and insects. It is thus beneficial to have a three-day supply of food with long storage life, as well as food that requires little or no cooking, water or refrigeration in case of a disruption of utilities (Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency | FoodSafety.gov, https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/food-safety-in-disaster-or-emergency). It is important to be aware of the changes in color, odor, and taste of food when it is deteriorating, such as fruit that darkens and quickly rots, vegetables that wilt and become slimy and rotten, and butter, cheese, and dairy products that get darker and develop a sour smell (Food Rotation Systems & Labels | Food Safety, https://www.food-safety.com/topics/390-food-rotation-systems-labels). Additionally, eggs should be monitored for a foul aroma and any form of discoloration (Food Rotation – Food Safety, Sanitation, and Personal Hygiene, https://opentextbc.ca/foodsafety/chapter/food-rotation/). By knowing how to store and rotate your food supply, you can be sure that you will have a reliable and safe food source for any emergency.,
Having an emergency food supply is an incredibly important part of preparing for a disaster. It is essential to have a stable source of food at the ready in case of any disruption in the food supply. To this end, it is important to make sure that one’s emergency food supply has long shelf lives, requires minimal or no preparation, and is stored in a way that prevents contamination from floods, fires, or other catastrophes (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html). Additionally, having a properly stocked first aid kit is also an important part of an emergency food supply. This can help one be prepared for any potential medical emergencies that may arise. This should include medications, bandages, and trauma dressings (SELF, https://www.self.com/gallery/emergency-food-supply-list). By taking these steps, one can better ensure their safety in the case of a disaster.,
Having a plan for where to evacuate in case of an emergency is essential for staying safe. This can be referenced from the American Red Cross's article: What Do You Need In a Survival Kit (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html), which states that people should have basic supplies such as water, food, flashlights, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. These are the minimum supplies that people should have a three-day supply of for evacuation and a two-week supply of for their home. Furthermore, the Ready.gov site for Evacuation (https://www.ready.gov/evacuation) suggests planning for evacuations before the event, which gives people the time to gather the supplies they need and plan their evacuation route carefully. This could also include speaking with people such as local leaders or family members to figure out the best place to go in case of evacuation. Moreover, there is also CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response's Preparedness & Planning page (https://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/) that can help with having an evacuation plan, which is essential for any emergency. Finally, the Hospital Emergency Food Supply Planning Guidance and Toolkit (https://www.calhospitalprepare.org/foodplanning) is an invaluable resource for hospitals planning their food supplies to prepare for such events. All of this informs how important having a plan is when it comes to an emergency food supply., Storing essential items such as water is just as important as having an adequate amount of food for an emergency situation. According to Ready.gov, “You may already have many of these on hand,” such as “ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener,” “protein or fruit bars,” “dry cereal or granola,” “peanut butter,” and “dried fruit” (https://www.ready.gov/food). Not only does it provide the essential nutrients needed for survival, but it should also include water, as suggested by the Center for Disease Control, who recommends having “at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet” (https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html). In addition, they suggest storing canned meats such as “tuna, salmon, Spam, beef dices, beef stew” and so on, according to “The 12 Most Important Food Items To Stockpile”(https://personalliberty.com/the-12-most-important-food-items-to-stockpile/). Not only is it important to have a well stocked supply of food and water for an emergency, but it is also important for economic, convenience, and self-sufficiency reasons, according to Ready Lifestyle (https://readylifestyle.com/why-is-food-storage-important/). Storing essential items such as water with one's food supply is imperative for survival, convenience, and self-sufficiency in the case of an emergency., Incorporating fresh food into one’s emergency food supply is an important aspect of survival. A big draw of canned and dried emergency food rations is their extended shelf-life, but in a more extended emergency, a plain monotonous diet can take its toll on a person’s morale and health. Adding fresh food can provide not only a much needed change of taste, but can provide a range of different vitamins and nutrients that dried foods lack (Popular Mechanics, “The 8 Best Emergency Food Kits in 2023”). For extended situations, there are several companies that provide emergency food supply kits that include a mix of canned, dried, and freeze-dried foods in order to add some variety to the diet (Mountain House, “Emergency Food & Survival Food Meals & Kits”). There are also local and community options that provide fresh food when an emergency strikes (CAP4Kids, “Emergency Food: Walk-In Food Pantries | Columbus OH”). Lastly, if you're willing to splurge on an emergency food supplies, there are high-end companies that offer a variety of long-shelf-life meals that are so appetizing that they rival restaurant dishes (Forbes Vetted, “Best Emergency Food Supplies 2023″). No matter the option or situation, incorporating fresh food in an emergency food supply can make all the difference when it comes to an individual’s quality of life during a crisis.,
Having supplies of non-perishable food to use in an emergency situation is an important part of planning and preparedness (Ready.gov, 2020). Not having access to food after a disaster can lead to problems of nutrition and food insecurity (Nutrition.gov, 2020). When putting together emergency food supplies, it is important to consider food safety and sanitation, how to cook and manage food without power, and how to ration food (Ready.gov, 2020). Rationing is an important tool for food storage, as it helps to ensure that all members of the family have access to enough food (Ready.gov, 2020). After a disaster, there may also be a need to rely on family, friends, or local food banks, soup kitchens, or food pantries that can provide help in the form of commodity foods made available by the Emergency Food Assistance Program (Nutrition.gov, 2020). When facing emergency food needs, having a plan is essential to ensure that the family has enough to eat and is made aware of the resources available to them.,
Finally, it is essential to regularly check one’s food supply to ensure that it is up to date and fit for consumption. According to Ready.gov (https://www.ready.gov/food), a refrigerator thermometer should be used to ensure that food stored in the refrigerator is safe, as long as it was out of power for no more than four hours. Additionally, any perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers should be discarded if they had been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. For an emergency food supply, USAGov (https://www.usa.gov/emergency-food-assistance) recommends stocking up on canned food such as vegetables from Libby’s (https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/emergency-foods). Stockpiling non-perishable items such as canned beans and soup, as well as condiments like salt, herbs, and spices, is imperative for dinners from an emergency food supply (https://www.primalsurvivor.net/30-day-emergency-foods/). By ensuring a regular supply of food and monitoring the food for its health and safety, one can be prepared to face any kind of emergency situation.,
In conclusion, having a reliable emergency food supply can provide stability, nutrition and security in the case of an emergency. It is important to know the different types of food that can be included in one’s emergency food supply, such as canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey (Real Simple), as well as corn, canned peas, carrots, legumes, and tomatoes (Simply Survival). Additionally, one should have a proper storage system for their emergency food supply, such as putting pallets on the basement floor and keeping foods on top of the pallets (Primal Survivor), and a plan for rotation, such as making sure to maintain temperature control and watch expiration dates (Gordon Food Service). Finally, one should check their food supply regularly to ensure that it is up to date and in good condition. Having a reliable emergency food supply is a crucial part of being prepared in the case of a disaster, emergency, or other unexpected event.