Survival Food Kit: Your Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for emergencies and natural disasters involves many crucial steps, and ensuring you have an adequate food supply is paramount. Creating a Survival Food Kit can significantly reduce stress and worry for you and your family during unforeseen events. The specifics of your kit—how much food and what types—will depend on your household size, dietary needs, preferences, and available storage space. For short-term emergencies, simply increasing your stock of staple and non-perishable foods might suffice. Non-perishable foods are essential components of any survival food kit because they can be safely stored at room temperature for extended periods.

Building a 72-Hour Survival Food Kit

A 72-hour (three-day) emergency preparedness kit is a fundamental requirement for most disaster scenarios. Assembling essential items, including food, in a single, accessible location will equip your household to manage the initial critical days of an emergency. Beyond food, this kit should also contain water, personal hygiene products, flashlights, blankets, and other recommended emergency supplies. When selecting food for your survival food kit, prioritize non-perishable items that require no refrigeration, minimal to no cooking or preparation, and little to no water for reconstitution. If heating food is necessary, remember to include a portable grill, camping stove, and fuel in your kit. For optimal portability and ease of management, choose compact and lightweight food items.

Consider including these essential foods in your short-term disaster survival food kit:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables provide immediate sustenance without preparation.
Canned juices, milk, and soup (if powdered soup is chosen, ensure extra water is stored) offer necessary hydration and nutrients.
Basic staples like sugar, salt, and pepper can enhance the palatability of stored foods.
High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix provide quick calories and sustained energy.
Specialized foods are crucial for infants, the elderly, or individuals with specific dietary needs, such as diabetics or those with allergies.
Comfort or stress foods like cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, and tea bags can offer psychological comfort during stressful times.
Vitamins can help supplement nutritional intake, especially during prolonged emergencies.

A well-stocked survival food kit should include a variety of non-perishable items to meet different dietary needs and preferences during emergencies.

Remember to pack essential tools such as a can opener, scissors or a knife for opening foil and plastic pouches, and disposable plates, cups, and utensils to facilitate easy eating and cleanup. Organize all these items in plastic bags, preferably with zipper closures, to maintain dryness and airtight conditions as much as possible. It’s also vital to maintain a list of expiration dates for all food items and establish a rotation schedule to ensure freshness. Regularly inspect your survival food kit, use older items, and replace them with newly purchased stock to keep your supplies current.

Keep in mind that food stored in your refrigerator and freezer can be utilized at the onset of an emergency, particularly during power outages. If you anticipate a power outage, proactively extend the freezer’s food preservation time by filling any empty freezer space with frozen water containers. Use clean plastic containers or jugs, fill them with water, and freeze them. A well-insulated, fully packed, and closed freezer can keep food safely frozen for 2 to 3 days.

Building a Two-Week Survival Food Kit for Extended Emergencies

While most emergencies might not disrupt food supplies for two weeks, preparing a more extensive survival food kit for this duration is a prudent choice, especially in regions prone to prolonged power outages or isolation. The principles for assembling a three-day kit apply to a two-week supply, but for longer durations, nutritional considerations become more critical. Over two weeks, prioritize planning for balanced meals to maintain health and energy levels.

A practical approach to creating a two-week survival food kit is to increase your regular pantry stock of essential non-perishable foods. If you frequently dine out, adjust your stock levels to reflect your typical two-week food consumption at home. Your plan should exclusively include foods that do not require refrigeration or freezing for preservation. Many households already possess a significant portion of a two-week staple food supply if they assess their current pantry and proactively create a written plan. Maintain the freshness of your two-week survival food kit by rotating non-perishable staples in your general food storage once or twice annually.

Practical Steps for Planning Your Two-Week Food Supply:

Create a comprehensive list of all family members, noting any specific dietary needs, allergies, or medical conditions like diabetes.
Inventory your current staple food supplies. Document the quantity available, purchase dates, opening dates, and expiration or use-by dates if available. Post this inventory list near your storage area and update it regularly.
Conduct a similar inventory for foods in your freezer to understand your immediate food resources in case of a power outage.
Develop a 14-day meal plan, labeling each day from “Day 1” to “Day 14.” Indicate where each day’s food items are stored, especially if not consolidated in one location.
For each day in your meal plan, add notes specifying the water required for food preparation and the necessary cooking equipment and utensils. This step helps identify any gaps in your supplies and ensures you procure all necessary items.
If staple foods like rice, instant cereals, potatoes, or dry milk are not packaged with preparation instructions, create index cards with cooking steps or mixing ratios. Store these cards in airtight, waterproof plastic bags within your survival food kit for easy reference during an emergency.

Planning and inventory are crucial steps in creating an effective two-week survival food kit that meets your family’s needs.

Additional Tips for Effective Food Storage Management:

If food packages lack a use-by or expiration date, mark the purchase date and opening date on the packaging using a permanent marker.
Clearly label foods intended for emergency use as “Emergency Food” or “Disaster Food” and store them in a designated location, separate from your regular pantry items. This prevents accidental consumption and ensures they are readily available when needed.

Food Suggestions for Your Survival Food Kit

Military and camping supply stores offer a variety of compact, long-lasting foods that are excellent choices for emergency preparedness kits. Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are particularly convenient as they require minimal to no preparation. Dehydrated or freeze-dried foods are lightweight and space-efficient; however, remember to include extra water in your survival food kit for their rehydration. Some dehydrated foods, like fruits, can be consumed directly without rehydration. If your kit includes foods requiring cooking, also incorporate ready-to-eat options. Cooking facilities may be limited or unavailable during emergencies, so having both types ensures flexibility. While short-term emergency food supplies prioritize survival, energy, and hydration, with adequate planning, your survival food kit can also provide nutritionally balanced meals.

Shelf-Stable Food Ideas for Your Survival Food Kit:

Ready to Eat:

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) offer complete meals in a pouch.
Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, and fish provide protein and essential nutrients.
Canned juices, broths, and soups offer hydration and can be consumed cold or heated.
Shelf-stable juice and milk boxes are convenient for single servings and require no refrigeration until opened.
Crackers and melba toast are versatile and pair well with various foods. Avoid combination packs with refrigerated items like cheeses or luncheon meats.
Peanut butter and jelly are high-calorie and easy to spread on crackers or bread.
Dry, ready-to-eat cereals and granola are quick breakfast or snack options.
Dried fruits, nuts, and trail mixes provide energy and fiber.
Jerky is a lightweight, high-protein snack.
Granola bars are convenient and portable energy sources.
Hard candies can provide a quick energy boost and comfort.

Requires Water for Preparation:

Instant oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast option.
Dry milk is a lightweight source of calcium and protein.
Powdered drink mixes can enhance water palatability and provide electrolytes.
Instant pudding offers a sweet treat and can be made with water or milk.
Dried soups are lightweight and nutritious when rehydrated.
Bouillon cubes or powder can add flavor to water and soups.
Instant rice and potatoes are versatile side dishes.

Managing Food During Power Outages

In the event of a power outage, prioritize consuming perishable foods first, followed by refrigerated items. Next, utilize foods from the freezer. To minimize freezer door openings, maintain a list of freezer contents on the door. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, food should remain frozen for approximately 2-3 days. Consume frozen foods only if ice crystals are still present or if the freezer temperature remains at 40°F (4°C) or below. Insulating the freezer with blankets (ensuring the air vent is not blocked) can help maintain cold temperatures longer. Finally, transition to using non-perishable foods and staples from your survival food kit.

Cooking Without Electricity

For emergency cooking without power, outdoor options include a fire, charcoal grill, or camping stove. Candle warmers, chafing dishes, and fondue pots can warm pre-cooked foods that are more palatable when heated. However, these warming methods are unsuitable for cooking raw foods like meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, or dishes containing them, which require thorough cooking to ensure safety.

Important Considerations for Canned Foods in Your Survival Food Kit

Commercially canned foods are an excellent choice for survival food kits due to their long shelf life and readiness for consumption—they can be eaten directly from the can or warmed if preferred. Canned foods are shelf-stable until opened and typically have a shelf life of two years or longer. For optimal quality, store canned goods in cool, dry locations and aim to use them within one year.

Regularly inspect canned foods in your survival food kit for any signs of damage, such as rust, leaks, bulging, or significant dents, especially around seams or can ends, as these can compromise the seal. Replace any damaged cans immediately. During a disaster, avoid consuming food from cans exhibiting these conditions. If canned foods have been exposed to floodwaters, inspect them meticulously for damage. Discard any home-canned foods or foods in glass jars, opened or unopened, that have been contaminated by floodwater. Commercially canned foods in intact, non-rusty, and non-bulging metal cans can be salvaged after thorough cleaning and sanitization.

Procedure for Cleaning Sealed Cans After Flood Exposure:

Mark the contents on each CAN using a permanent ink pen for clear identification post-cleaning.
Remove paper labels as they can harbor bacteria and may not withstand the cleaning process.
Wash the cans thoroughly in a strong soap or detergent solution using a scrub brush, paying close attention to lids and seams.
Sanitize the cans by soaking them in a solution of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water for 15 minutes.
Allow the cans to air dry completely before opening them with a sanitized can opener.

Regularly inspect canned goods in your survival food kit for signs of damage to ensure food safety during emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Dating and Storage

Should all food containers have dates on them? In the United States, a uniform food dating system is not federally mandated, except for infant formula and some baby foods. About 20 states currently require food dating. Federal regulations specify that if a date is used, it must include the month and day. For shelf-stable and frozen products, the year must also be included. Any date displayed must be accompanied by a phrase explaining its meaning, such as “sell by” or “use before.”

Food dates are categorized as “open dating” or “closed” (coded) dating. Open dating uses a calendar date understandable to consumers and is primarily found on perishable items like meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Closed or coded dates are typically on shelf-stable foods in cans, boxes, and bags.

Can I eat food after the “sell-by” date? A “Sell-By,” “Expiration,” or “Use By” date is intended for retailers to manage product display. While it is best to buy products before these dates, it is often safe to consume them afterward if they remain wholesome and of good quality. Some foods, like fresh meats and poultry, can last 1-2 days past the sell-by date if consistently refrigerated. Others may last 3-4 days or even a week. Consult a food storage chart for specific food types.

A “Best if Used By” or “Best if Used Before” date indicates when the food is at its optimal quality and flavor, not its safety.

A “Use By” date is the manufacturer’s recommended last date for peak quality. It is advised not to consume products after this date.

Spoilage bacteria can cause off odors, flavors, or appearances in food. Discard any food exhibiting these signs, regardless of the package date. Mishandling fresh foods can also shorten their safe storage time, irrespective of package dates. This includes leaving perishable foods at room temperature for extended periods, improper defrosting, prolonged unrefrigerated storage during outings, delays in refrigerating groceries after purchase, or using contaminated utensils.

How does dating work for infant formula and baby food? Federal regulations mandate a “Use by” date on infant formula and baby food under FDA oversight. Nutrient retention is critical for infant formula dating; it must contain the labeled nutrient quantities until the “use-by” date and maintain a consistency suitable for bottle nipples.

Baby food dating considers both quality and nutrient retention. Similar nutrient retention rules apply as with infant formula. Off-flavors or poor texture are also assessed. Manufacturers conduct storage tests to determine appropriate “use-by” dates, assuming labeled storage, preparation, and usage conditions are followed. Do not purchase or use infant formula or baby food past the “use-by” date.

Can I use eggs after the expiration date? If an egg carton has an expiration date, do not buy eggs after that date, which is the last day stores can sell them as fresh. For eggs with a federal grade mark (e.g., Grade A or AA), the date cannot exceed 30 days from packing.

If bought before the expiration date, eggs are generally safe to use for 3-5 weeks post-purchase if promptly refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.

How should I store opened canned foods? Once opened, leftover canned food must be removed from the can and stored in a covered, non-metallic container in the refrigerator or freezer. Foods canned in glass jars can be stored in their original containers. Use refrigerated leftover canned food within 3-4 days, or within 2 days for meat, poultry, or fish. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and discard any leftovers left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours. Refrigerate cooked leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.

When planning your survival food kit, consider the refrigeration needs of opened canned foods. Opt for smaller can or bottle sizes that can be consumed in one sitting to minimize leftovers and potential spoilage. Avoid buying large, institutional-sized cans if you cannot properly store leftovers.

How should I store dry foods in a survival food kit? Store dry foods in airtight, moisture-proof containers away from direct light in cool, dry places. Zipper-closure plastic food storage or freezer bags are useful for opened packages of dry milk, potatoes, rice, cereals, and dried fruits. For your survival food kit, store purchased staple food packages in airtight plastic containers, glass jars with screw-top lids, or non-rusty metal cans. These containers can then be reused for storing opened packages during an emergency.

By carefully planning and assembling a survival food kit, you can enhance your preparedness for emergencies and ensure your household has access to safe and nutritious food when it’s needed most.