How to Stock an Emergency Food Supply

This article was updated March 5, 2020 to add information about stocking food supplies during a viral outbreak or pandemic.

Niamh writes:

In light of several recent natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires), disaster preparedness is front of mind. What types of food would you recommend to have on hand as part of your personal disaster preparedness plan?

You are not the only one who wants info, Niamh! I got many emails from listeners asking for advice on putting together an emergency food supply. Emergency supplies are intended to get you through in the event that you temporarily lose power, water, and/or access to fresh food. Under those circumstances, aiming for a perfect balanced diet is probably unrealistic. But you don’t want to be relying entirely on leftover Halloween candy, either.

How much food do you need?

For a short-term disruption such as a severe weather event, experts recommend having a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for each person in your household. Don’t forget to include in your tally others, such as elderly parents or neighbors or college-aged kids, that may rely on you in an emergency. Figure about 2000 calories per person per day.

You also want to have at least one liter of clean drinking water per person per day. This may be less water than you are used to drinking. For this reason, it’s good to avoid salty foods and other foods that may make you thirsty.

How to stock your emergency food kit

The ideal foods for an emergency kit do not require cooking. This rules out things like pasta and dried beans, even though they are both nutritious and non-perishable. If canned foods are in your kit, make sure to store a non-electric can-opener with your emergency supplies. Dehydrated foods such as dried fruits and vegetables are lighter and more portable than canned, which can be an advantage in the event that you need to decamp.

Here’s a list of good candidates for your emergency food supplies:

• Canned fish, such as tuna, salmon, or sardines. Tuna and salmon are also available in shelf-stable pouches.
• Beef or fish jerky
• Dried or canned fruit
• Dehydrated or canned vegetables
• Canned beans
• Unsalted nuts and seeds
• Whole grain crackers
• Protein and/or energy bars
• Milk or nondairy alternatives in shelf-stable packaging

Fortunately, many of the foods in your emergency preparedness kit are also on my list of the most nutritious foods for the money, which means that you won’t have to cash in your kids’ tuition fund to stock your pantry. But resist the temptation...

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