Emergency Food Storage
What to Stockpile and How Much...

And, while you are getting your list of emergency food and supplies together, don't forget family members with special dietary needs – an infant, a nursing mother, or a diabetic or elderly person with a special diet!

Emergency Food Storage
Photo courtesy of Jesse Michael Nix

In addition, you'll need to consider these factors when you buy stockpile food for your swine flu pandemic emergency food storage plan:

• Store foods that don't require refrigeration

• Learn to cook vegetarian meals that don't require meat

• Store familiar foods

• Include some comfort foods (like desserts or snacks) to serve as treats for your family. Don't forget birthdays!

• Take advantage of store specials, when you can.

• If you have a pet, don't forget to include emergency dog food

Basic Supplies
Emergency Food Storage Plan

• Convenience foods: Consider convenience foods such as instant mashed potatoes, that require minimal preparation--for the short term emergency food storage. Foods that only require the addition of water and require little cooking will be especially helpful.

  These foods are more expensive than "from scratch meals" but they do serve a very important purpose for short-term use. They will require special attention for long-term emergency food storage and should be rotated routinely.

• Commercial emergency storage foods A bit more expensive than assembling your own supply of "regular foods". However, this is the easiest and fastest way to put together an emergency supply of food. And, you will find that commercial food storage packages have come a long way from the K-rations in Grandpa's day. Many are quite palatable and you will even find such luxuries as ice cream!

  If you are short on time, and you have the extra money, this could be your very best source. These commercial storage foods can be found in camping supply stores, outfitters, and survival equipment and supplies stores.

• Canned stews, meats, fish, etc: Many people who enjoy camping, take canned entrees (e.g. stew or ravioli) for quick and easy meals. While these are not gourmet and probably lack essential nutrients, they will suffice in an emergency

• Flour: all-purpose, bread, whole grain, wheat germ, wheat bran, oat bran, gluten (add 1-2 T gluten flour to all purpose to make "bread flour"), cornmeal, soy.

• Creamer: for coffee. Some brands can be whipped to make "whipped cream". Dry milk can be used as an acceptable substitute for creamer, although it definitely does not taste as good. If you add some creamer to dry milk, it improves the flavor of the milk.

• Shortening and cooking oil: If you have a choice, get canola and olive oil. They're better for you than corn oil.

• Rice: brown, white, basmati. Brown is the most nutritious.

• Pasta: spaghetti, egg noodles (for soups), pasta shapes, elbow macaroni, bows, etc.

• Sugar: white, brown, 10X, honey and molasses

• Sprouting seeds Best seeds for sprouting .

• Baking powder and baking soda: You might want to store an extra pound or two of baking soda. It has a number of non-cooking uses - substitute for cleanser, deodorize refrigerator, substitute for deodorant, substitute for mouthwash or toothpaste.

• Arrowroot starch or cornstarch: for thickening soups, gravies, pie fillings.

• Chicken/beef soup base: This can be used to make homemade soups. Many are hearty enough to serve as dinner, especially with homemade biscuits or rolls.

• Canned goods: Rotate this emergency food storage item, especially if in a damp area (because the cans will eventually rust). Make sure that you have a manual can opener, so that if the electricity goes off, you will still be able to eat!

• Nuts: If purchased in vacuum-sealed containers, these will keep for months. If you buy them fresh, they can get rancid quickly if they are not refrigerated.

• Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, currants, apricots, dates, coconut.

• Condiments: catsup, mustard, vinegar, mayonnaise, salad dressings (or make your own).
  1. Buy "portion packs" (like those used by fast food restaurants) from buyers' clubs like Sam's. Or...if you have a friend in the restaurant business, ask him/her to order them for you. This way you can use a small amount at a time and won’t have to use precious refrigerator space for condiments.

  2. Many boaters do not refrigerate their mayonnaise. We know this sounds crazy, but it's true. It seems that the issue is not the mayonnaise, but contamination of the mayonnaise by utensils such as knives. If you never touch the mayonnaise with a knife that has touched food, the boaters say it won't spoil. I can’t attest to this personally!

• Coffee, tea, cocoa:
  1. If your family drinks a lot of iced tea, don't forget to stock up on tea bags or instant iced tea.
  2. 2.If you normally grind coffee beans for your morning coffee and have an electric coffee maker, buy some pre-ground coffee and a percolator.

• Pancake (and other) mixes: If you get the complete mixes--requiring only water--you won't have to worry about stocking the other ingredients (i.e. fresh eggs). Or purchase dried eggs or use an egg substitute.

• Parmesan/romano cheese: You could substitute this in recipes calling for other cheeses. Look for the kind that does not have to be refrigerated after opening.

• Spices, herbs, vanilla, almond extract, etc.

• Peanut butter, jelly: nutritious and can provide quick, easy meals. A good source of protein for your emergency food storage stash.

• Popcorn: a treat that can even be made over a camp fire!

• Dry onion soup mix: for dips or roasts.

• Vitamins: Consider multi-vitamin/mineral tablets, Vitamin C (fresh fruits may be in short supply) and Echinacea (to take if someone contracts a cold)

• Pet supplies: food, kitty litter, treats. Why not make your own healthy homemade dog treat recipes? to add to your emergency food storage?

• Cereals: ready to eat or instant (i.e. oatmeal, cream of wheat). Remember that you will need milk for cereal. Keep cereals, crackers, etc. in airtight containers. Tins work nicely for this.

• Special dietary needs: baby foods or foods for elderly family members or those who are diabetic, have digestive problems, etc.

• Junk foods that you can't live without: Every family needs a few simple pleasures! Mine is chocolate.

The most important thing to remember is that you need to store foods that keep well and foods that your family likes!

You might also like:

• Serious Home Food Storage
• Dood Storage Containers
• Water Storage

Emergency Food Storage to Food Storage Guidelines

Emergency Food Storage to Pandemic Flu and Emergency Preparedness

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