In times of emergencies and natural disasters, ensuring a readily available food supply is crucial for the well-being of individuals and families. Planning for these needs can alleviate stress and worry, providing a sense of security during uncertain times. This article outlines how to create a comprehensive and healthy emergency food supply list, considering both short-term and long-term scenarios.
Understanding Emergency Food Needs
The quantity and types of food to store depend on various factors, including the number of household members, personal preferences, specific health conditions, the ability to utilize the food in an emergency, and available storage space. A short-term emergency preparedness kit, designed to last for three days, can be useful for most disasters. However, for extended emergencies, a two-week or longer supply may be necessary.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Supplies
A three-day emergency kit should include non-perishable foods that require no refrigeration, minimal preparation or cooking, and little to no water. For two weeks or more, it's wise to prioritize nutrition, ensuring balanced meals during the crisis.
Essential Components of an Emergency Food Supply
Staple Foods
Increasing the quantity of staple foods normally kept on shelves is a simple way to develop a two-week emergency supply. Consider the following:
- Canned Foods: Commercially canned goods are excellent choices due to their long shelf life and readiness for consumption. Inspect cans for rust, leaks, bulges, or severe dents.
- Dry Goods: Store dry foods in airtight, moisture-proof containers away from direct light and in cool places. Options include dry milk, potatoes, rice, cereals, and dried fruits.
- Military and Camping Supplies: These stores offer compact, well-preserved foods like Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs) that require minimal preparation.
- Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Foods: These are lightweight and space-saving but require extra water for rehydration.
Nutritional Balance
Plan nutritionally balanced meals to maintain health and energy during an emergency. Utilize resources like MyPlate to guide meal planning.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Special Considerations
- Special Diets: Account for any special dietary needs or allergies when selecting foods.
- Infant Formula and Pet Food: Don't forget these essential items if you have infants or pets.
- Comfort Foods: Include comfort foods to help alleviate stress, especially for children.
Creating a Detailed Food Inventory
Assessing Current Supplies
Start by listing all staple foods currently on your shelves, noting the amount available, purchase date, date opened, and use-by or replace date.
Meal Planning
Create a meal plan labeled "Day 1" through "Day 14," including notes on water and equipment needed for preparation.
Dating and Labeling
If packages lack expiration dates, date them upon purchase and opening.
Food Safety During Emergencies
Prioritizing Food Use
- Use perishable foods and items from the refrigerator first.
- Next, use foods from the freezer, keeping a list of contents on the freezer door to minimize openings.
- Finally, utilize shelf-stable foods from your emergency supply.
Power Outages
- Freezer Storage: A well-filled freezer can keep food frozen for an extended period. Fill empty spaces with frozen water containers to prolong storage. Cover the freezer with blankets to insulate it, ensuring the air vent remains uncovered.
- Refrigerated Foods: Use leftover canned food within 3-4 days of refrigeration, or 2 days if it contains meat, poultry, or fish.
Emergency Cooking
Use outdoor cooking methods like a fire, charcoal grill, or camp stove. Candle warmers, chafing dishes, and fondue pots can also heat food.
Handling Damaged Canned Goods
Inspect canned foods for damage, especially after flooding. Discard any home-canned foods or foods in glass jars that have been soiled by floodwaters. Wash undamaged cans with a strong soap solution.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Practical Grocery List for a 3-Day Emergency Food Supply
This list assumes you have about one quart of milk and half a loaf of bread on hand. It can be adjusted based on personal preferences and dietary needs.
- Crackers: 1 box
- Cereal: 1 box
- Peanut Butter: 1 jar
- Dried Fruit: 1 bag
- Dry Milk: 1 small box (9.6 ounce)
- Instant Coffee/Cocoa Mix: As desired
Cost and Storage
This emergency food supply may cost around $20. Store foods in a cool, dry place away from heat. Date the foods upon purchase and use them in regular meals before their expiration dates, replacing them with new groceries.
Expanding the Emergency Kit
Water
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for seven days, for both drinking and sanitation.
Additional Essential Items
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Face masks
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
- Local maps and evacuation routes
- Cell phone with chargers and backup batteries
- Prescription medications
- Important documents
- Cash
- Emergency contact information
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra clothing and sturdy shoes
- Whistle
- Matches or lighter in a waterproof container
- Fire extinguisher
- Infant and child care supplies
- Pet supplies
- Utility shut-off tools
- Backup eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Copies of prescriptions
- Power backup for medical devices
- Hard copies of emergency plans
- Solar or hand-crank charger
- Extra fuel for vehicles and generators (if safe to store)
Understanding Food Dating
Open Dating vs. Closed Dating
- Open dating uses a calendar date consumers can understand and is primarily found on perishable foods.
- Closed dating uses coded dates.
Date Labels
- "Sell-By" or "Expiration" or "Use By": Indicates how long a store should display a product for sale. The product is generally safe to use after this date if it remains wholesome and of good quality.
- "Best if Used By" or "Best if Used Before": Indicates the date for best quality or flavor.
- "Use By": The last date recommended for use.
Food Spoilage
Do not use foods that have developed off odors, flavors, or appearances, regardless of the date on the package.
Handling Fresh Foods
Mishandling fresh foods can reduce their safe storage time. Avoid leaving perishable foods at room temperature for extended periods.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Infant Formula and Baby Food
Federal regulations require a "Use by" date on infant formula and baby food to ensure nutrient retention and quality.
Eggs
If an egg carton has an expiration date, purchase eggs before that date and use them within 3-5 weeks, refrigerating them immediately after purchase.
Storing and Rotating Your Emergency Food Supply
Proper Storage
Keep dry foods in airtight, moisture-proof containers away from direct light in cool places. Consider using zipper-closure plastic bags for leftovers.
Regular Rotation
Consume foods from your emergency supply regularly and replace them to ensure freshness. Mix them into your monthly menu to maintain familiarity and prevent waste.
Tailoring Your Kit to Specific Needs
Individual Caloric Needs
The pantry food list provided supplies about 1,800 calories, enough for an "average" person for one day. Adjust the quantities based on individual caloric needs, increasing for those requiring more calories and reducing for small children or light eaters.
Family Preferences
Choose foods familiar to your family to ensure they are consumed during an emergency.
Additional Resources
- Ready.gov: Comprehensive disaster supply kit checklist.
- Florida Department of Health: Tools and resources for disaster preparedness.
- American Red Cross: Detailed emergency kit list.
- Division of Emergency Management: General emergency kit checklist.
- Center for Disease Control: Emergency preparedness guidance and checklist.