Choosing Your Survival Food Supplies

When building your survival food supplies, most will agree it's crucial to choose items that meet your dietary needs and pack sufficient nutrition.

Carefully selecting freeze-dried, canned, and other non-perishable foods with ample calories and balanced nutrition will help you withstand emergencies from power outages to long-term disruptions.

In this article, you'll learn key factors for choosing survival food, from caloric density to ease of preparation, along with advice for specialized diets and top food brands to consider for your emergency stash.

Introduction to Survival Food Supplies

Having an adequate supply of survival food is a crucial part of any emergency preparedness plan. When disaster strikes, you may lose access to grocery stores, water, and power for days or even weeks. Having food reserves on hand will help sustain you and your family during this challenging time.

When building your survival food supply, there are a few key factors to consider:

Understanding the Importance of Survival Food Supplies

Food supplies allow you to avoid dangerous and stressful food shortages when disaster strikes
They provide the fuel and nutrients needed to maintain strength during the emergency response
Having reserves frees up time to focus on other critical tasks like medical care and communication

Aim for a diverse mix of non-perishable foods that meet your household's unique dietary needs.

Evaluating Your Survival Food Needs

Take inventory of current food supplies and estimate daily calorie needs per person
Plan for a minimum of 3 days' worth of supplies, but ideally 2 weeks to 1 month
Consider factors like household size, ages, medical needs, and activity levels
Prioritize nutrient-dense foods like grains, beans, nuts, dried fruits

For a family of 4, you may need:

200 pounds of grains
100 pounds beans/lentils
50 pounds nuts/seeds
25 pounds dried fruits

The Role of Dietary Restrictions in Choosing Food Supplies

Survey all household members’ allergies, intolerances and preferences
Find substitutes like gluten-free grains, dairy-free milk powders
Accommodate needs like diabetes with low-sugar foods

Careful selection allows those with restrictions to maintain health despite limited access to specialty foods.

Balancing Cost and Quality in Your Food Selections

Compare cost per calorie/serving instead of package price
Test samples when possible to evaluate taste and texture
Look for minimal processing and recognizable, whole ingredients
Consider making some items like granola bars from scratch

With research and planning, you can prepare for emergencies without breaking the bank.

The Lifespan of Your Food Supplies

Store items in a cool, dark, dry area to maximize shelf life
Label containers with purchase/expiration dates
Plan to use and replace items before they expire
Some foods last years while breads/grains spoil more quickly
Consider adding oxygen absorbers to prolong storage

Rotate and refresh food reserves annually to guarantee each emergency meal is safe and nutritious no matter when disaster strikes.

Key Considerations for Selecting Survival Foods

When building your emergency food supply, it's important to choose foods that will provide you with adequate nutrition and calories to maintain health while also being easy to store, prepare, and consume. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting survival foods:

Caloric Density and Nutritional Balance

In a disaster scenario, access to food may be extremely limited, so you'll want to maximize calories and nutrients from whatever supplies you have stored. Prioritize non-perishable foods that are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide energy and keep you feeling full. Trail mixes, peanut butter, nuts, dried fruits, and whole grains are all good options.

Ease of Preparation and Consumption

Look for foods that require minimal preparation with no refrigeration or cooking required, like granola bars, jerky, and canned goods. Having some MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) packets in your stockpile is also useful since they are self-contained, shelf-stable meals. Choose foods your family already enjoys and can eat as-is for convenience.

Longevity and Preservation Methods

The longer the shelf life, the better when it comes to survival food. Opt for commercially packaged foods with expiration dates of at least 5 years out. Consider storing some home-canned goods as well. Be sure to store foods properly, keeping them cool, dry, and dark to maintain freshness. Use oxygen absorbers in containers to prevent spoilage.

Packaging and Storage Solutions

Proper storage containers are key to keeping food from going bad over many years. Use food-grade plastic buckets or mylar bags to limit air exposure. Take into account space constraints when acquiring supplies. Opting for some ReadyWise emergency food buckets, which compact complete meals into stackable containers, saves precious storage room.

Specialized Kits and Supplies

Rather than building your stockpile item-by-item, save time and effort by investing in purpose-built emergency food kits packed with nutritionally balanced meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ReadyWise and other brands offer kits for a range of durations, from 72 hours to a full year. These comprehensive solutions take the guesswork out of survival preparedness.

Types of Survival Food Supplies to Consider

When building your emergency food supply, it's important to have a variety of options to meet different needs. Here are some key types of survival food to consider stocking up on:

Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated Foods

Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are extremely lightweight and compact, making them easy to store long-term. They also have a very long shelf life of 25+ years. Some popular picks are:

Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables - Provide essential vitamins and nutrients
Dehydrated camping meals - Just add hot water for a quick meal
Dehydrated meat like beef jerky - Packed with protein

The one downside is that they require water for preparation. So make sure to stock extra water as well.

Ready-to-Eat Meals and MREs

MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) are self-contained, ready-to-eat military-style meals. They simplify meal planning since no refrigeration or preparation is needed - just open the pouch and eat. Typical MREs contain:

A main entree like chili or pasta
Side dishes like crackers, bread, and spreads
Dessert or candy
Powdered beverages

The convenience does come at a cost though - MREs tend to be more expensive than homemade options.

Canned Goods and Non-Perishables

Don't overlook traditional canned goods and non-perishables like:

Canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and beans
Pasta, rice, oats, and other grains
Peanut butter and other nut butters
Dried beans and lentils

These everyday staples store well, provide balanced nutrition, and allow flexibility for meal prep. Just make sure to stock up on a manual can opener as well!

Grains, Legumes, and Staples

Bulk grains like rice, beans, and lentils provide carbohydrates for energy and protein to support health. Some smart choices are:

White rice - Long shelf life and versatile base for meals
Dried beans and lentils - Nutritious and able to be sprouted
Pasta - Different shapes store well and cook quickly
Oats - Steel cut have a longer shelf life than rolled

If possible, buy whole grains instead of refined for maximum nutrition.

Specialty Items and Comfort Foods

During stressful emergency situations, comfort foods can provide a morale boost. Consider setting aside a portion of your supply for specialty treats like:

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate
Honey, maple syrup, sugar
Condiments like ketchup, mustard
Jams, peanut butter, nutella
Hard candies
Chocolate bars
Spices and seasonings

Carefully taking all these factors into account will lead to a well-rounded, nutritious emergency food supply tailored to your needs. Be sure to take any dietary restrictions into account too. Slowly build up your supply over time to spread out costs. With the right survival food stash, you can weather any storm!

Planning for Different Emergency Scenarios

Adapting your food supply choices to different potential disaster situations can help ensure you and your family are prepared for anything. Here are some key considerations:

Short-Term Disruptions and Power Outages

For short-term situations like power outages, focus on shelf-stable foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking, such as:

Canned goods like vegetables, fruits, beans, soups, and meats
High-calorie snack items like granola bars, nuts, and dried fruits
Comfort foods like peanut butter, crackers, and cereal

Rotate these non-perishable emergency food items regularly to keep them fresh. Having at least a 3-day supply on hand is recommended.

Long-Term Survival Situations

When planning for extended crises, build a more comprehensive 25-year emergency food supply with nutrient-dense staples like:

Freeze-dried or dehydrated fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, and meat
Whole grains like rice, quinoa, oats, and pasta
Fats and oils like olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds

Storage-friendly MRE survival foods are also great for protein. Aim for at least a 1-month supply to start.

Natural Disasters and Evacuations

In situations requiring immediate evacuation like fires, floods, and storms - portable, lightweight foods are key. Some good options include:

High-calorie protein bars and shakes
Peanut butter and other nut butters
Canned tuna, salmon, chicken
Dried fruits and trail mixes

Keep some of these foods in your emergency go-bag for quick access if needed.

Economic Instability and Supply Shortages

Extended disruptions to food supply chains could limit access to fresh foods. Having a ReadyWise emergency food supply with long shelf lives ensures you have essentials like:

Freeze-dried or canned produce
Whole grains and legumes
Oils and seasonings for flavor
Vitamin supplements to fill nutritional gaps

Stock up gradually over time to mitigate costs. Aim for at least a 3-6 month supply.

No matter the potential scenario, tailoring your emergency food supply to the situation can help you withstand disruptions - both short and long-term. Focus on nutritional, hardy foods that meet your family’s needs.

Selecting the Best Emergency Food Supply Brands

When building your emergency food supply, choosing the right brands and products is key to ensuring you have nutritious, tasty, easy-to-prepare meals on hand when needed. Here are some top brands to consider and what makes them stand out.

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply Reviews

ReadyWise is one of the most popular emergency food brands due to their high-quality ingredients, long shelf life, and variety of entree options. Their food kits come in buckets or pouches and contain breakfasts, lunches, dinners, drinks, and snacks. Reviews praise the great flavors and texture of foods like their chicken fried rice, cheesy broccoli soup, and chocolate pudding. ReadyWise also offers gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Mountain House and Its Competitors

Mountain House has been a leader in freeze-dried emergency food since the 1960s. Their wide selection includes everything from eggs and bacon to lasagna and apple crisp. Reviews mention delicious flavors, easy preparation with just hot water, and up to 30-year shelf life. Similar quality brands to consider are Wise Foods, Augason Farms, and Survival Cave.

Affordable Options for Bulk Purchasing

For those looking to buy in bulk for large families or groups, brands like Survival Cave and Valley Food Storage offer more affordable per-meal prices. Their budget kits contain staples like rice, beans, oats, pancake mix, and dehydrated vegetables and meats. You get less variety but can stretch your emergency food dollars further.

Specialty Dietary Kits

Many emergency food brands now cater to specialty diets as well. For gluten-free preparedness, Augason Farms and Survival Cave have meal kits made with corn, rice, quinoa and other gluten-free grains. For vegetarians and vegans, Wise Foods has dairy-free, plant-based buckets with pastas, chili, apple cinnamon cereal and more.

When selecting your survival food supply, consider nutritional content, taste, preparation method, and any dietary needs. Compare brands and products using online reviews and resources to find the best emergency food to meet your family’s needs.

Storing and Managing Your Food Supplies

When building your emergency food supply, properly storing and managing the items is just as important as selecting the right foods. Here are some key considerations:

Optimizing Storage Space

Prioritize shelf-stable foods that don't require refrigeration. Items like grains, beans, canned goods, and freeze-dried meals are ideal.
Use airtight plastic bins or food-grade buckets to store bulk items like rice, beans, pasta, etc. This protects against pests, light exposure, and moisture.
Use shelving units, cabinets, or freestanding racks to efficiently organize supplies and maximize vertical storage space.
Store foods you will use soonest towards the front, and rotate older stock to the back using a "first-in, first-out" system.

Maintaining Freshness and Quality

Check expiration or best-by dates and create an inventory system to track what needs to be rotated or replaced.
For canned goods, check for rust, dents, swelling, or leaks before opening. Discard anything suspicious.
Use oxygen absorbers in bins and buckets to help remove oxygen and extend shelf life.
Keep storage areas clean, dry, dark, and between 40-60°F to prevent spoilage.

Inventory Tracking and Replenishment

Create a detailed list of all items in your stockpile with purchase dates, shelf lives, and storage locations.
Set reminder alerts to check stock and rotate items before they expire.
Establish a schedule for taking a full inventory and looking for signs of spoilage.
Gradually replace consumed items to maintain target supply levels for different emergency scenarios.

Security and Protection Measures

Use locks, alarms, video surveillance, or other security measures to prevent theft.
Inspect regularly for signs of tampering, damage from pests, water exposure, or other threats.
Store in closets, basements, garages and other discreet, controlled-access areas to avoid attracting attention.
Have fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment nearby in case of unexpected hazards.

Conclusion: Assembling Your Ideal Survival Food Supplies

When choosing survival food supplies, the key factors to consider are:

Practicality

Opt for foods that are easy to store, transport, and prepare in an emergency situation. MREs, freeze-dried meals, canned goods, and long-shelf-life items are good options.
Choose foods tailored to your personal dietary needs and restrictions. Having nutritious foods that you can actually eat is crucial.
Consider calorie-dense foods to maximize energy and nutrition. Compact items like protein bars, nuts, peanut butter, and dried fruits are excellent choices.

Preparedness

Build a diverse stockpile with a variety of food types for nutritional balance. Include fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and healthy fats.
Store at least a 3-month supply, with 1-2 weeks' worth easily accessible. Gradually build up a longer-term stash as your budget allows.
Routinely cycle through and replace items as they near expiration dates. This maintains freshness and preparedness.

Affordability

Take advantage of bulk and wholesale purchasing for the best deals on shelf-stable essentials. Buying in bulk brings down costs.
Consider pooling resources and buying with like-minded friends or family to save money.

The right survival food supplies take practical factors, nutritional needs, shelf life, and affordability into account. Develop an emergency stash tailored to your situation for maximum preparedness.