Introduction
The idea of stocking up on emergency food supplies can seem daunting, but having survival food kits from retailers like Costco makes the process much more manageable. A 2022 survey by the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that 60% of Americans are woefully underprepared for disasters, with less than a week's supply of food and water. As climate change leads to more frequent extreme weather events, experts recommend being prepared to sustain yourself and loved ones for at least 2-4 weeks. Costco offers a wide variety of high-quality, long-lasting foods at wholesale prices, making it affordable and convenient to be prepared. Their selection of tasty survival meals, pantry staples, and kits can provide nutritious sustenance to keep you and your loved ones self-reliant in the event of a natural disaster, power outage, or other crisis. With the proper storage and organization, Costco survival foods will give you incredible peace of mind knowing you can feed your family in an emergency.
Background on Costco
Costco is a trusted retailer known for offering quality goods at low warehouse prices. Founded in 1976, they provide a huge range of products including groceries, household supplies, electronics, and more. Their preparedness product lines include long-lasting foods tailored for emergencies. Some top options are:
- Mountain House freeze dried meals with a 30 year shelf life
- Augason Farms meal kits with proteins, vegetables, and desserts
- Wise Company entrées, grains, breakfasts, and gluten-free choices
- Numanna ready-to-eat and homestyle meal buckets
- Thrive 1-month food supplies for one to four people
Benefits of Purchasing Survival Kits from Costco
Sourcing your survival supplies from Costco provides many advantages you won't find elsewhere:
- Reputable brands ensure high product quality
- Bulk buying means costs savings on already wholesale prices
- One-stop shop for full meal kits or mix and match items
- Can taste test products with in-store samples before purchasing
- Highly rated options like the Thrive 1 Month Food Supply Kit
- Satisfaction guarantee and easy returns/exchanges at warehouses
Key Factors When Selecting a Costco Survival Food Kit
With Costco's wide selection, consider these key factors when choosing emergency food kits:
Shelf Life
The longer the shelf life, the better for stockpiling survival supplies that may sit for years. Look for options guaranteed for 10 years or longer. Well-rated choices include:
- Mountain House with a 30 year guarantee
- Wise Foods with a 25 year shelf life
- Augason Farms with a 10-30 year range depending on the product
Proper cool, dry storage will help maximize freshness over time. Use and replace your oldest supplies first.
Taste and Meal Options
Enjoying the taste of your survival foods boosts morale in stressful times. Kits with full meals or recipes may provide more variety than buckets of individual ingredients. Highly rated tasty choices include:
- Mountain House beef stroganoff, lasagna, chicken teriyaki meals
- Augason Farms breakfast skillet and chili mac kits
- Numanna Mexican fiesta and homemade chicken noodle combo buckets
You may need basic cooking tools like a camp stove to prepare some kits.
Number of Servings
Having adequate servings for your household's needs for several days or weeks is crucial. Experts recommend 2000 calories per day per person minimum. It's better to overestimate required quantities than underest underestimate and run out. Well-reviewed high serving options include:
- Thrive 1-month kit with over 120 servings
- Augason Farms 30-day kit with 300+ servings
- Numanna buckets available in 30, 60, and 120 serving sizes
- Mountain House Just in Case kits with 60-100 servings
Don't take chances with survival by buying too few rations.
Key Survival Food Essentials to Stock Up On
In addition to full meal kits, consider these must-have survival pantry basics available at Costco:
Water and Hydration
Stocking water for drinking and food preparation is essential. Recommendations are 1 gallon per person or pet per day minimum. Purchase shelf-stable bottled water or portable water storage options like Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon Rigid Water Container drums. Also consider water purification methods like the Sawyer Mini filter. Rehydration drinks like Pedialyte can aid recovery from dehydration.
Meal Basics
Fill out your survival pantry with foundational ingredients like rice, beans, oats, pasta, nutritional yeast, canned tuna, chicken, and beef. These offer affordable, nutrient-dense calories. Balance them with proteins like mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, canned salmon. Don't forget comfort foods like honey, maple syrup, spices. A camp stove, stainless steel pots and utensils will enable preparation.
Snacks and Comfort Foods
Having tasty snacks on hand provides variety and morale, but balance with healthy proteins to avoid solely empty calories. Jerky, protein bars, trail mix, crackers, and more from Costco offer shelf-stable options. You can try before you buy with Costco's samples.
Storing and Organizing Your Survival Supplies
Proper storage and organization of your survival stockpile is just as important as the supplies themselves.
Location and Conditions
Choose a cool, dry place like a basement, crawlspace, or interior closet. Avoid locations with excess heat, sunlight, or moisture which can degrade foods. Durable plastic bins or metal containers protect against pests and environmental hazards. Use moisture absorbers or dehumidifiers if humidity is an issue.
Organization and Rotation
Categorize foods by type and label them clearly with name and expiration date. Use a first in, first out system so the oldest supplies get used and replenished first. Take inventory annually and replace consumed items. A spreadsheet helps track expiration dates and consumption. Just be sure not to let organization become a barrier to preparedness.
Security Concerns
Those concerned with security may want to utilize discreet boxes and inconspicuous storage locations. Avoid openly advertising your supplies or their whereabouts to maintain confidentiality. Hidden areas in basements, behind false walls or floors can still allow accessibility when needed. Only share details with those in your inner circle to prevent theft.
Conclusion
With its wholesale prices and wide selection, Costco is an ideal source for stocking survival food safely and cost-effectively. Focus on long shelf lives, sufficient servings, and great taste when selecting options. Essentials like rice, beans, pasta, and water should be part of any survival pantry. Take time to properly store and organize your supplies for quick access when needed. Having survival food from Costco provides comfort that you can sustain yourself and your loved ones in times of crisis. Don't delay - take steps today to ensure your family's preparedness for emergencies with survival supplies from Costco.
