Why Survival Food Kits are a Must-Have

Survival food kits are an essential part of any preparedness strategy, as they provide you with the food you need in case of an emergency. With a good selection of survival food kits, you can be sure that you and your family have enough food to last you through any crisis.

In this article, we'll look at what you need to consider when choosing a survival food kit and provide some recommendations on the best survival food kits available.

Table of Contents

Definition of survival food kits

Survival food kits are packages of food items that have been carefully selected and assembled for use in the event of an emergency. The contents, which may vary depending on the kit, are designed to provide sustenance for a certain period of time. Typical survival food kit packages contain non-perishable items such as canned goods and dried fruits, as well as vitamins and other nutrients needed to sustain life.

It is important to note that survival food kits are not intended to replace regular meals in an everyday setting – these bulk foods are designed solely for emergencies when fresh or refrigerated sources of nourishment become unavailable.

There are many types of survival food kits available – ranging from basic get home or evacuation special rations, to larger long-term packages that can provide essential sustenance in times of disaster or other disruptions in your daily life. So it’s important to take into consideration the type of emergency scenario you may face before purchasing a survival food kit package.

Benefits of having a survival food kit

Having a survival food kit is an incredibly important element of being prepared for any unforeseen event. In the event of a natural disaster, economic hardship, civil unrest or other emergencies, having enough food to sustain your family is essential. A survival food kit is filled with enough non-perishable items to provide meals for you and your family if access to grocery stores or restaurants becomes unavailable.

Benefits of having a survival food kit include:

Access to nutritious meals in the event that access to fresh foods from grocery stores and restaurants is not available.
Reduced stress due to knowing your family has enough calories and nutrition stored away for any emergency situation.
Financial savings due to having access to stored food during times when trips outside the home may be restricted for safety reasons.
Opportunity for creativity by mixing and matching different ingredients included in the kit as you would in normal meal planning situations.
Peace of mind knowing that you have taken proper precautions in ensuring that you are prepared with proper nutrition should an emergency arise.

Types of Survival Food Kits

Survival food kits are an essential part of any emergency preparedness plan. They provide the necessary sustenance to keep you alive and safe in the event of a disaster. There are a variety of survival food kits available on the market, each tailored to a different need. Whether you're looking for a basic kit to get you through the night or an elaborate kit with all the bells and whistles, there's something for everyone.

Let's take a closer look at the different types of survival food kits available:

Long-term food storage kits

Long-term storage food kits are designed to last for up to 25 years. These kits usually come with a variety of shelf-stable items such as powdered and canned milk, grains, legumes, oils, fruits and vegetables, proteins, and miscellaneous dehydrated items. The ingredients can be cooked in a variety of ways – boiled, baked or fried – and they are typically packed with vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they are lightweight and have low water requirements so that the kit can be stored easily in the event of an emergency.

Depending on the size of the kit you purchase, it may also come with recipes for basic meals.

Freeze-dried food kits

Freeze-dried survival food kits are designed to provide critical nutrition during an emergency. These kits can be stored indefinitely at room temperature, allowing you to be prepared for all kinds of disasters without worrying about spoilage or expiration. They are light-weight and easy to transport, making them ideal for use in various outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking and more!

Freeze-dried food kits come in a variety of styles, so you can choose the best fit for your needs. Here are a few examples of freeze-dried meals that can be included in your survival kit:

Classic Freeze-Dried Survival Meals: These meals often consist of easy-to-cook comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and chili with beans – but sometimes include a variety of other entrees as well.
Vegetarian Survival Meals: This type of meal is great for veggie lovers – featuring delicious recipes made with nutrient dense legumes, grains and vegetables.
Gourmet Mountain House Meal Kits: If you want something a little more exotic in your survival kit then these meal packs may just do the trick! They usually come with four entrees, sides dishes and desserts – providing reliable nourishment when needed most.

No matter which type of freeze-dried survival food kit you choose, they all provide the essential nutrients necessary to keep you strong and energized during an emergency situation.

Emergency food kits

For many individuals and families, having the right emergency food kits can be essential for an effective survival plan. Ideally, these supplies should have a long shelf-life, be easy to store and remain safe to eat under a variety of adverse conditions. When compiled correctly, an emergency food kit should provide an adequate supply of nutritional items that can sustain life during an extended period of time.

Here are some of the most common types of survival foods you may want to include in your emergency kit:

Canned goods: Non-perishable meal choices such as beans, fruit, vegetables and protein-rich options such as tuna or ham are often easy to find and store.
Dehydrated: Dehydrated meals are lightweight and require no cooking but must be rehydrated with water before consumption. Whenever possible they should stored in airtight containers and kept away from high levels of humidity which can shorten their shelf-life.
Dried fruits: Dates, figs and raisins are all good sources of energy boosting nutrition in an emergency kit. Look for those with no added sugars or preservatives.
Nuts & seeds: High calorie items like almonds, peanuts cashews walnuts offer a variety of health benefits in addition to their caloric content.
Proteins bars & powder: Protein bars made from natural ingredients like oats or honey are great grab-and-go snacks that provide energy when needed most; also consider protein powders used for shakes which may reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies over longer periods of time.
Grains & Pasta: Whole grains (such as brown rice) or pasta will offer carbohydrates essential for sustained endurance throughout your survival situation.

What to Look for in a Survival Food Kit

When considering a survival food kit for your emergency preparedness, it's important to look for one that meets your specific needs. A good survival food kit will contain nutritionally balanced meals, provide caloric value and essential vitamins, and offer an extended shelf life.

In this section, we will look at what to look for in a survival food kit so that you can make an informed decision:

Nutritional value

When selecting survival food kits, it's important to look for products with a high nutritional value, especially if you are planning on relying on them in an emergency. In order to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrients, here are some of the most important things to consider:

Calorie content: Look for foods with high calorie content per serving, as this will give you more energy and make it easier to survive during an emergency.
Protein: Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle. Look for foods that have 8-10g of protein per serving.
Fats: Fats provide energy and can help protect against heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Aim for foods with 5-7g of fat per serving.
Carbohydrates: Carbs supply the body with energy; look for sources that give 10% or less of their calories from carbohydrates.
Vitamins and minerals: Check the label to make sure your food supplies contain enough vitamins A, B, C, D and E as well as calcium, iron and magnesium.
Shelf life: Make sure your survival food kits have at least several days worth of shelf life so they won't go bad before you need them in a real emergency situation.

Shelf life

When selecting a pre-packaged emergency food kit, one of the most important characteristics to take into consideration is shelf life. When purchasing a survival food kit, make sure to look for an expiration date on the packaging. Generally speaking, pre-packaged survival kits can last up to 25 years if stored in a cool and dry place. However, this all depends on the quality of the ingredients used and type of package technology used for storing them.

Survival food kits that use freeze-dried ingredients may have a longer shelf life than those using dehydrated ingredients. The use of nitrogen flushing and oxygen absorbers can help extend the shelf life as well, as this helps maintain vitamin content and prevents oxidation. Additionally, check for signs of spoilage when purchasing your survival kit – like any discoloration or sour smell of contents which may affect potency and flavor when reconstituted.

It is also important to note that some meals may require additional preparation such as boiling water or adding vegetables before they are ready to eat. If you’re unsure whether an item requires additional preparation or not, be sure to read instructions thoroughly before eating it or contact the manufacturer directly if you need more information!

Portability

When shopping for a survival food kit, portability should be one of your top considerations. Pre-packaged meals are the easiest and most convenient option, with individual servings sealed in durable pouches to ensure they’re ready to eat anytime and still retain freshness. For larger containers, check the package to make sure it’s lightweight and easily stored in backpacks or first aid kits.

Portability also includes looking at how quickly and easily you can reheat meals on-the-go; some kits include flameless ration heaters for a fast, easy meal even in remote areas.

How to Store a Survival Food Kit

A survival food kit is a great way to be prepared for any emergency situation. It's important to store it properly to ensure your kit is always available when you need it.

In this article, we'll look at the best ways to store a survival food kit, from temperature and humidity levels to light and airtight packaging. We'll also discuss some other factors, such as expiration dates, that you should keep in mind as you store your kit:

Temperature and humidity levels should be monitored to ensure the food stays fresh.
Light should be kept to a minimum to prevent food from spoiling.
Packaging should be airtight to keep out moisture and pests.
Check for expiration dates and replace food as necessary.

Choosing a location

When deciding on the best place to store your survival food kit, the following criteria should be taken into consideration: accessibility, temperature, security and convenience.

Accessibility: Make sure that you can quickly reach the kit in case of an emergency. As well, check that family members are able to locate and access it as well.
Temperature: It is recommended that food kits be stored away from sources of heat or direct sunlight. The ideal storage temperature range for perishable items is 0°F – 65°F (or -18°C to 18°C). If storing canned goods or non-perishables in a home basement or for longer time periods, temperatures slightly outside this range may be acceptable in increased time periods – not greater than 10 years though.
Security: Choose a secure spot for your survival food kit to prevent any tampering or theft of its contents. If possible, choose a spot with limited access except by you and those you authorize to use this kit.
Convenience: Rather than selecting a remote location which could hinder accessibility during an emergency situation, balance convenience with other factors outlined above. It’s recommended that the storage site is no more than 10 minutes away at full capacity so as not to delay retrieval if needed urgently!

Controlling temperature

Storing your survival food kit in the correct environment is one of the most important steps for ensuring that your supplies are safe. Keeping dry and controlling temperature are two of the most important factors to consider when storing a survival food kit.

A cool and dry area is ideal for storing a survival food kit, as this prevents the growth of mold and helps preserve perishable items. Depending on where you live, basement or shared storage areas may provide more controlled environments than other parts of a home or office. A temperature between 55-70°F is generally ideal for long-term food storage.

For extended periods, lower temperatures might be necessary to ensure that nothing spoils but it’s important to remember that warping will occur if temperatures fall below freezing so you need to consider this as well. You can also incorporate climate controlled options like

dehumidifiers
air conditioning units
fan systems

into your setup.

Controlling humidity

One of the main factors when it comes to storing survival food kits is controlling humidity. When there is too much moisture present in your kits, it can cause the food items to spoil faster. High humidity can also attract bugs, worms, and other insects into your kits, so it’s important to keep them dry and away from damp conditions.

To ensure that your food remains safe for long-term storage, you should store them in areas with low humidity levels. Seek out airtight containers that are specially designed for long-term food storage, or use a vacuum sealer if available. Avoid areas near sources of heat or cold as this could cause the temperature and humidity levels to fluctuate. Be sure to include desiccants like silica gel packs or oxygen absorbers in your containers whenever possible for additional protection against moisture and oxygen exposure. Additionally, rotate your stock every six months to ensure optimal freshness of maximum shelf life of your supplies.

Conclusion

No matter what sort of survival food kits you decide to buy, it is important to consider how much food you need and how you plan to store it. Don’t forget to outline the expiration dates and the necessary prep instructions when choosing prepared foods. Consider sampling a few different kinds of kits before you make your selection. There are a wide variety of packages that can cover all of your needs whether if be for an emergency or day-to-day meal preparation.

Knowing what kind of nutrition your family needs can help when stocking up on survival food kits, as well as understanding how long different items will last and their shelf life storage requirements. Here are some tips to consider when stocking up on essential items:

Know what kind of nutrition your family needs to help when stocking up on survival food kits.
Understand how long different items will last and their shelf life storage requirements.
Stocking up on essential items now can ensure that your family is safe in the future!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a survival food kit?

A1: A survival food kit is a collection of non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods that are intended to provide sustenance in an emergency situation. These kits typically include items like dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins that are designed to last for up to 25 years.

Q2: What are the benefits of having a survival food kit?

A2: Having a survival food kit can provide peace of mind in the event of an emergency. These kits are designed to provide sustenance and nutrition, and can also provide comfort during a difficult time. Additionally, having a survival food kit on hand can save time and money in the event of an emergency.

Q3: How long do survival food kits last?

A3: Survival food kits are designed to last up to 25 years. However, it is important to check expiration dates regularly to make sure that the food is still safe to consume.