Emergency food should be non-perishable, easy to prepare, and stored in emergency kits. Canned foods, granola bars, and MREs are good options, but be aware of allergies and heating requirements. Consult guides from organizations like the Red Cross for advice.
Emergency food can refer to various types of foods that don’t die easily, can be prepared quickly and safely (usually without heat), and can be stored in emergency kits for things like camping or in disaster preparedness kits . There are many different types of emergency food. Some of these are more expensive and durable, while others can be easily purchased at grocery stores. When stocking things like emergency or earthquake preparedness kits, people are advised to have emergency food for up to two weeks.
Some forms of canned foods make ideal emergency foods, but read labels carefully. If canned foods need to be fully heated before consumption, they may not be safe to use when a heat source is not available. Items that may not require reheating include lots of fruits and vegetables and most canned fruit juices. Be careful with those items that contain meat, as they may need to be reheated completely to be safe.
Other emergency food supplies can include things that don’t perish quickly, such as granola bars, vacuum-packed nuts or fruit mixes, and peanut butter or jelly. People preparing home kits should be especially careful about any type of food allergies a family member might have. When building an emergency food supply, don’t pack things family members might be allergic to or add detailed lists noting each person’s allergies. Lengthy emergencies where access to medical facilities might be difficult or impossible mean people shouldn’t take unnecessary risks with foods that could cause severe allergies or illness.
Many people prefer to package things like Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), which they can heat without any kind of water or heat source. These can include full meals and some are vegetarian. MREs are available at various camping supply stores, and some warehouses such as Costco may stock drums of MREs for purchase specifically for emergency preparedness or emergency kits.
MRES may be a better choice for those who expect not to have access to much. For example, those camping or hiking might want to keep them in case of sudden changes in the weather or if a person gets lost. They are also lighter to carry than canned items.
There are many helpful guides for preparing an emergency food supply and for choosing the best types of emergency food. Consult organizations like the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for guides on what to put in an emergency food kit and when to replace various packaged emergency foods. Don’t forget the importance of an emergency water supply. Those agencies also have guidelines on how much water to pack.
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