Hopefully, you are aware by now that it is necessary to have emergency food storage in order to be ready for various disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, EMP, or even personal crises like unemployment.
For emergency preparedness, it is crucial to have a minimum stockpile of thirty days’ worth of food and an equivalent amount of water.
Acquiring a month’s worth of emergency food might appear to be an easy task, but refrain from purchasing an excessive amount of soup cans, cracker boxes, and grains in bulk hastily.
Having a plan is crucial when it comes to disaster prepping.
Failing to strategize your purchases and utilization could lead to a surplus of inedible food items in the aftermath of a calamity.
The Two Types of Emergency Foods to Store
We can categorize the various survival foods into two types for your 30-day emergency food storage amongst a wide range of options available.
- Foods that don’t require cooking
- Foods that require cooking
To ensure complete preparedness, it is advisable to combine emergency foods of both varieties.
Emergency Foods That Don’t Require Cooking
In your nearby grocery store, there are various readily available emergency foods. Storing these foods proves advantageous due to their convenience. Envision your family in your basement, amidst a raging hurricane, effortlessly enjoying granola bars and canned soup.
You can eat without having to cook, prepare, or even wash dishes. Simply open the packaging and start eating.
In the event of a disaster, it is crucial to have prepared emergency foods, as it may not be advisable to cook due to unsafe conditions. After an earthquake, for instance, it is extremely hazardous to use open flames due to the risk of explosion caused by broken gas lines. Hence, it is essential to opt for food options that do not necessitate cooking in such situations.
Examples of Emergency Foods That Don’t Require Cooking
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter
- Jam
- Dry cereal
- Powdered milk
- Canned milk
- Dried fruits
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Canned soup
- Canned meat and fish
- Jarred food – pickles, beets
- Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
Emergency Foods that Require Cooking
Although it is theoretically possible to solely store ready-to-eat foods for your 30-day emergency food provision, consuming solely canned and packaged foods can become monotonous after several days. As someone who has conducted disaster scenario drills previously, I can affirm how tiresome it becomes to only eat packaged food.
In times of emergency, readily available food options often fall short in terms of nutrition. While relying on granola bars for a couple of days might be acceptable during a power outage, the excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and sodium in such foods will inevitably lead to discomfort during prolonged disaster scenarios.
Cooking food increases its nutritional value and provides the essential energy to maintain good health and alertness during the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, it is advisable to include emergency meals that require cooking as they offer enhanced taste. While taste may not be a top priority in disaster preparedness, having flavorful food can greatly help in reducing the stress associated with emergencies. Moreover, the simple act of cooking itself can serve as a welcome distraction from the disaster.
Examples of Emergency Foods that Do Require Cooking
- Pasta
- Rice, barley, and other grains
- Dry beans and legumes
- Packets of instant soup
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Meals in a box
How to Create a Survival Meal Plan
Having an emergency meal plan in place now will eliminate uncertainty in the future. In the event of a crisis, you will be well-prepared. Constructing your disaster meal plan is as simple as following three steps: select your meal plan, decide on your meals, and assemble your food stockpile.
1. Pick Your Meal Plan
Having a supply of non-perishable food for emergencies is advised to be a minimum of three days. Nonetheless, it is possible to create a meal plan that can last for a month, a year, or even longer.
Three-Day Emergency Meal Plan
Before any edible perishable items spoil, you have the option to create a 3-day emergency food menu, such as the one provided below.
Day 1
- Breakfast: Bacon and eggs (use fresh eggs before powdered eggs)
- Lunch: Tuna salad (make sandwiches with leftover bread or eat with crackers)
- Dinner: Vegetable stir fry with white rice (use any fresh vegetables first)
Day 2
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with fruit
- Lunch: Tacos
- Dinner: Spaghetti
Day 3
- Breakfast: Breakfast tacos (use extra bacon and tortillas from the previous days)
- Lunch: Mac & cheese
- Dinner: Fried rice (use any extra vegetables and leftover rice)
One-Week Emergency Meal Plan
Consider a one-week strategy as akin to your typical Sunday evening meal preparation, with the exception that you utilize recipes from your emergency food inventory. Avoid consuming identical meals repeatedly and instead devise a diverse meal plan consisting of various recipes.
One-Month Emergency Meal Plan
Creating a monthly plan for your emergency food supply is not as daunting as it may seem. Just take your menu for a week and substitute a few recipes with new ones. By doing this, you will have a set of recipes for an additional week. Repeat this process for two more weeks, and voila! You now possess a monthly menu plan for emergency food.
2. Choose Your Meals
When deciding on your meals and creating your meal plan, there are a few essential factors to consider after determining the number of days you need to prepare for.
- Know how many people you are including in the plan.
- Use any fresh, perishable foods you have first.
- Save foods with the longest shelf life in long-term storage.
- Think about leftovers or open containers you might end up with after one meal and work it into another in the next couple of days.
- Calculate the number of calories each meal provides per day. Various websites and apps, like Calorie Control Council, can help you find the number of calories in a particular food or recipe.
- Be sure each day has the necessary nutrients. Eat plenty of foods that will help you stay focused and mentally sharp, such as spinach and blueberries.
- Do your best to cover all the food groups you need. It is recommended to eat the following amount of each food group per day:
- 2.5 servings of fresh, frozen, canned, or dried vegetables
- 2 servings of fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit
- 6 servings of whole grains
- 5.5 oz of proteins
- 3 T fats or oils
3. Build Your Food Supply
Creating a well-structured meal plan enables the development of a more detailed strategy for storing food. Initially, compile a list of all the necessary ingredients for the survival food recipes. Subsequently, form your “grocery” list, including any extra snacks or supplies you require. Additionally, ensure water is not overlooked.
By proactively planning your meals and survival food menu, you can ensure a calm mindset in case of an emergency.
