30 Day Emergency Food Supply List and Storage Ideas

Hopefully, you are now aware that it is important to have emergency food storage in order to be prepared for various disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, EMP incidents, or even personal setbacks like unemployment.

For emergency preparedness, it is crucial to have a minimum supply of thirty days’ worth of food and an equivalent amount of water.

While it may appear easy to obtain emergency food supplies for a month, it is advisable to avoid impulsively purchasing a large quantity of canned soup, cracker boxes, and grains in bulk.

It is essential to have a plan when engaging in disaster prepping.

Without proper planning and consideration of what to acquire and how to utilize it, the aftermath of a disaster may result in acquiring numerous food items that are rendered unusable.

The Two Types of Emergency Foods to Store

When it comes to stockpiling survival foods, there exist numerous varieties. To ensure you have enough provisions for a 30-day emergency situation, these can be categorized into two types.

Foods that don’t require cooking
Foods that require cooking

In order to ensure complete readiness, it is advisable to incorporate a mix of emergency food varieties.

Emergency Foods That Don’t Require Cooking

In your nearby grocery store, there are numerous options for readily consumable emergency foods. Storing these items proves advantageous due to their convenience. Imagine your family in your basement during a raging hurricane, effortlessly enjoying granola bars and canned soup.

You can simply open the packaging and start eating without cooking, preparing, or even cleaning plates.

It is important to have readily available emergency foods as it may not always be safe to cook following a disaster. Cooking with an open flame, such as after an earthquake, is strongly advised against due to the potential explosion caused by broken gas lines. Therefore, it is advisable to have non-cook foods in such situations.

Examples of Emergency Foods That Don’t Require Cooking

Crackers – How to store crackers
Rice cakes
Granola bars
Peanut butter – read more about storing peanut butter
Jam
Dry cereal
Powdered milk – see our guide to the best tasting powdered milk
Canned milk
Dried fruits
Canned fruits and vegetables
Canned soup
Canned meat and fish – see best canned meat
Jarred food – pickles, beets (read about preserving beets)
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)

Emergency Foods that Require Cooking

Although it is theoretically possible to gather only ready-to-eat food items for your 30-day emergency food storage, the monotony of consuming solely canned and packaged meals may become tiresome after a few days. Drawing from my experience conducting disaster scenario drills, I can confirm how mundane it becomes to rely solely on packaged food for sustenance.

During a prolonged disaster, ready-to-eat emergency foods, despite their convenience, can be nutritionally deficient. While relying on granola bars for a short period during a power outage might be acceptable, the excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and sodium in such foods will have negative effects on one’s well-being in a more extended emergency scenario.

Cooking food increases its nutritional value and provides the necessary energy to ensure your well-being and attentiveness during the aftermath of a disaster.

In the end, it’s important to consider including some emergency foods that need to be cooked as they enhance the taste. While taste may not be the primary concern when it comes to preparing for disasters, having flavorful food can greatly help in reducing the stress that accompanies emergencies. Additionally, the process of cooking itself can serve as a welcomed diversion from the disaster at hand.

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

Other Items for Your 30-Day Emergency Food Storage

Salt, herbs, spices, and seasoning packets: Eating plain pasta, canned veggies, etc., can be boring. A bit of seasoning can go a long way to making it taste better (and thus making the disaster aftermath less stressful).
Powdered drink mixes: Preferably ones that have vitamins in them.
A can opener: Make sure it is a manual can opener, not an electric one! Read how to open a can without a can opener.
Paper plates and plastic utensils: You don’t want to waste precious water on washing dishes, so have enough disposable plates and utensils stockpiled.
Off-grid cooking method plus fuel: If the utilities go down after the disaster, how will you prepare your food? Ensure you have an off-grid cooking method and enough fuel to last you through the month.

Items NOT on the List

Certain items such as wheat, grains, or flour were intentionally excluded from the 30-day emergency food storage.

It may appear reasonable to accumulate wheat grains for unforeseen situations in order to have the ability to create bread.

Do you possess the knowledge of how to grind wheat into flour?

If you choose to do so, how will you produce bread without any yeast?

In order to make the most of your flour, it is essential to have additional ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, egg substitutes, and other fundamental items on hand.

Not properly storing ready-milled flour can turn into a disaster, leading to potential infestations of moths or mold. To prevent this, it is crucial to use vacuum-sealed mylar bags when stockpiling.

Learn about pantry pests and how to prevent them.

When beginning to prepare your long-term supply, it is advisable to focus on stocking up on essential items rather than wheat and flour. Once you have successfully established a 30-day stockpile, you can progressively enhance your skills by delving into the more intricate practice of long-term food storage.

‍Make a Plan for the Right Storage Place

When making the initial decision, it is crucial to determine the appropriate location for your long-term storage site. A dedicated area that is devoid of moisture, heat, and light is necessary to prevent food spoilage. It would be unfortunate to realize that all your hard work has led to food that cannot be consumed by your family, especially during an emergency when relying on it becomes vital.

Free of Moisture

It is advisable to select a dry room or designated area without moisture to install shelves. Moisture provides an ideal environment for the proliferation and spread of various bacteria, microorganisms, and fungi. Therefore, basements or garages are not recommended due to their susceptibility to moisture. (Keep in mind that during a crisis, you might not have the means to heat a basement). Opt for dehydrated foods that have minimal moisture content to avoid any potential humidity caused by exposure.

No Oxygen Means Longer Life

The air we breathe contains harmful microorganisms which can contaminate food. It is advisable to store items in tightly sealed containers, such as airtight mylar bags and jars. Additionally, incorporating oxygen absorbers, which consist of small packets containing iron and salt, into food items can assist in absorbing oxygen and prolonging their shelf life. It is recommended to use absorbers for any dry foods you intend to prepare.

The Sunlight is not Good.

Food’s essential qualities can be compromised when exposed to direct sunlight. It is advisable to select a location deprived of sunlight, such as an interior closet or room. Back in the past, Western general stores would often package and sell food items in dark glass containers to reduce the impact of direct sunlight during the transportation of goods from factories to distant stores situated across the plains.

Temperature is Key

To ensure the preservation of your items, it is necessary to store them in a location with a consistent temperature. Excessive heat can lead to the spoiling of food. The most ideal practice is to store foodstuffs in a place where temperature control is possible.

Security Could Be a Factor

In the event of a national emergency, it is essential to protect your pantry from theft. Although you may have no intention of accusing neighbors or family members of engaging in illegal activities, it is important to recognize that desperate individuals may resort to desperate measures. Installing a lock system in the future could be of tremendous value, but it is not necessary to do so at present.

Make a Plan for Storing Water

If you have a well on your property (assuming your pump still has power), you are well-equipped in terms of having a water source, which is the most essential requirement for survival.

Regrettably, the majority of Americans rely on their local municipality to ensure a sufficient supply of drinking water via the tap. However, if a crisis arises, this water source might become compromised. As a precautionary measure, we suggest storing bottled water in your pantry. It is important to note that water has a shelf life of two years. Beyond that period, the plastic from the bottles starts to deteriorate, allowing chemicals to seep into the water. Numerous prepared individuals store water in airtight mylar bags, similar to juice packets, which proves to be an effective option.

To ensure your family’s preparedness for any crisis, it is advisable to have a supply that can sustain them for a period of three to six months.

Make A Plan For Storing Food

When it comes to establishing sufficient long-term food storage, the initial step is to decide which types of food you intend to accumulate. Being a dedicated food prepper presents numerous options, so here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Foods on Sale at the Grocery Store

To initiate your long-term food storage, a great approach is to purchase items in large quantities or buy those which you are certain your family will consume. This practice ensures that your food storage area becomes a seamless part of your everyday family routine, as it would be during a national emergency. Additionally, it maintains the presence of the storage area, instilling the habit of consistently utilizing and restocking it.

If you come across a discounted price for cereal, rice, beans, or other commercially made products, make the most of it by buying one for immediate use and another for storage. Give special consideration to canned foods, as they can last for a long time and are easy to store. Remember to check the expiration date on these items, as it indicates their quality.

Beans, Rice and Oats

Storing these essential items is advisable, as they are not only nutritious and packed with vitamins, but also simple to prepare. Although the USDA claims dry beans and rice can last two years, they can actually endure indefinitely if stored correctly. To stock up, many individuals who prepare food in advance opt to purchase in large quantities and subsequently divide them into portions for storage using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Once properly sealed, these mylar bags can be labeled and kept in a dry location.

Prepared Mixes

Pancake and cake mixes in packaged form have a shelf life of several years. Avoid using an oxygen absorber with any type of baking mix, as the iron present in the absorber can cause problems when it reacts with the baking soda and leavening agents. To ensure the longest possible shelf life, store dry mixes in containers that are airtight. It is not recommended to freeze pancake batter, as the baking soda has a tendency to soak up odors, resulting in pancakes that smell like freezer burn or the previous night’s meatloaf.

Dehydrated Fruits

Dried fruits are both simple to prepare and convenient to store, making them a valuable addition to the pantry of many food preppers due to their rich nutrient content. Although they may not have the same extended shelf life as rice and beans, they still have a considerable lifespan.

Pasta

Pasta is a durable food that can be stored in a food prepper’s pantry for an extended period without being cooked or consumed. It is a commendable source of carbohydrates, offering the body energy and essential sugars. Although it may not boast the same longevity as rice or beans, it has a slow spoilage rate, making it a vital component in the storage areas of numerous preppers.

HomeGrown Items

Being able to independently sustain your family might be the key to surviving a crisis at a national level. Cultivating gardens at home can yield an abundance of vegetables and fruits to sustain you. During my childhood, my mother would can tomatoes, green beans, and either apples or peaches every summer to store in our pantry. If you desire to be completely ready for any forthcoming situation, acquire the skills to cultivate and preserve your own resources. It may prove consequential in the future.

Starting a garden requires little effort and time, while canning may involve purchasing mason jars and a pressure cooker, which are essential if you already have fruit trees on your property. The USDA website provides a useful guide for a thorough understanding of the canning process.

Freeze Dried Meats

Meats that have been appropriately freeze-dried or vacuum sealed have the potential for indefinite storage. Thawing freeze-dried products allows for their usual utilization in baking or grilling. Chicken, beef, and turkey are considered the most suitable meats for this storage method.