When building an emergency kit, most people would agree that having nutritious, long-lasting survival food is essential for preparation.
By understanding the key nutrients needed in crisis scenarios and stocking up on non-perishable, high-calorie options, you can create a survival food supply to nourish your family in any situation.
In this article, we'll explore the top 10 survival foods to include, how certain options can last up to 25 years, the best picks for 2023, and key planning considerations like storage, organization, and incorporating special dietary needs into your emergency food essentials.
Introduction to Survival Food Essentials
Having the right survival food essentials is critical for emergency preparedness kits to ensure access to nourishing, long-lasting options when unexpected situations arise. Stockpiling non-perishable, high-calorie foods provides the nutrients and energy to support health even with limited resources.
Understanding the Survival Food List
A comprehensive survival food list covers a variety of shelf-stable items tailored for different emergency scenarios. From ready-to-eat MREs to freeze-dried fruit, having balanced macros and key micronutrients is vital. The best kits have a diverse mix of proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats.
Key Nutrients for Emergency Situations
When fresh food access is limited, focusing on nutrients like protein, vitamin C, iron, and magnesium supports health. With demands higher in stressful times, survival food choices should maximize critical macro and micronutrients. Staying nourished bolsters resilience.
Choose High-Calorie, Non-Perishable Foods
Look for compact, high-calorie survival foods like peanut butter, nuts, dried fruits, and dense bars. Shelf-stable pickings that pack a caloric punch fuel the body efficiently. Easy to store and transport items are excellent additions.
Include a Balance of Proteins, Fats, and Carbs
Despite emergency constraints, maintain balanced nutrition. Stock durable proteins like jerky or powdered milk, complex carbs such as rice or oats, and fats like oil or nuts. Combining macronutrients promotes health even in taxing situations.
Factor in Special Dietary Needs
When preparing, accommodate existing food restrictions. Survey allergen-free, diabetic friendly, or special dietary products to include. Having options for specialized needs ensures critical nourishment for every member of the team.
What are the top 10 survival foods?
When building an emergency food supply, focus on nutritious, non-perishable foods that have a long shelf life. Here are 10 must-have survival food items:
Peanut Butter
An excellent source of protein and healthy fats. Choose natural peanut butter without added sugars. Stays fresh for 3-4 months once opened when properly stored.
Whole-Wheat Crackers
Provide carbohydrates for energy and fiber. Look for low or no added sugars. Pair with peanut butter for protein. Stays fresh for 2-3 months once opened.
Nuts and Trail Mixes
Great sources of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Go for unsalted nuts to avoid added sodium. Stays fresh for 6-12 months unopened.
Cereal
Choose whole grain cereals low in sugar. Pair with shelf-stable milk for a balanced meal. Sealed cereal lasts 6-12 months.
Granola Bars
Provide carbohydrates for energy. Select bars with some protein and fiber, and low in sugars. Stays fresh for about 9 months sealed.
Dried Fruits
Raisins, apricots, apples, etc. Offer antioxidants and natural sweetness. Can last for 12 months or longer sealed.
Canned Meat
Tuna, salmon, chicken, etc. Excellent sources of protein. Get pouches or cans packed in water. Stays safe for 2-5 years sealed.
Canned Vegetables
Go for canned green beans, carrots, peas, etc. Rinse before eating to remove excess sodium. Safe for at least 2 years sealed.
What foods should I stockpile for survival?
When building your emergency food supply, it's important to have a balanced variety of nutritious and non-perishable foods that will sustain you and your family during a crisis. Here are some of the most essential survival foods to stock up on:
Proteins
- Canned meats like tuna, chicken, turkey, and salmon
- Canned beans, chili, soups with meat
- Beef and turkey jerky
- Nuts and nut butters
Fruits & Vegetables
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and apples
- Canned tomato sauce and pasta sauce
- Dehydrated vegetable flakes and powders
Carbs & Grains
- Rice, pasta, oats, quinoa, etc.
- Crackers and cereal
- Granola and protein bars
Dairy
- Powdered milk
- Shelf-stable UHT milk
- Powdered eggs and egg substitute
Beverages
- Water! Have at least 1 gallon per person per day
- Juices
- Coffee, tea
Other Essentials
- Cooking oil
- Honey, maple syrup, sugar
- Flour, baking needs
- Spices and seasonings
When stocking up on survival foods, prioritize nutrient-dense options with a long shelf life. Canned goods can last 2-5 years, while properly stored dry goods like rice, beans, and oats can last 10+ years. Rotate your stock to avoid waste. With the right balanced foods in your emergency kit, you'll be set when disaster strikes!
How does survival food last 25 years?
With today's modern technology, most survival food is packaged to last 25 years or longer through dehydration and freeze-drying methods.
Dehydration removes the moisture from fresh foods to inhibit bacterial growth and spoilage. Survival food companies use industrial dehydrators or ovens to remove up to 95% of the water content. Dehydrated foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats can be safely stored for decades in sealed containers or mylar pouches with oxygen absorbers.
Freeze-drying is an even more effective process that flash freezes foods and then applies a vacuum to remove all remaining moisture through sublimation. This creates a very lightweight, compact product that retains 98% of its nutritional value. Freeze-dried survival foods like meals, entrees, and ReadyWise Freeze Dried Food can be stored for 25+ years in air-tight containers.
The keys to such long shelf lives are:
- Lack of moisture to prevent bacteria growth
- Removal of oxygen with absorber packets
- Sealing in high-quality mylar pouches or containers
- Storing in cool, dark spaces for preservation
These techniques allow you to have nutritious survival food kits and emergency supplies that are safe to eat for decades to come. Having long lasting foods like freeze-dried fruit, jerky, and entrees are crucial for your emergency preparedness.
What food is best for long term survival?
Canned meats like tuna, chicken, and beef stew are good options for your emergency food supply as they are nutritious and have a long shelf life. Other essentials are rice, beans, pasta, and oatmeal. Choose whole grains and legumes for fiber, protein, and complex carbs.
Some good picks are:
- Canned fruits packed in juice
- Canned vegetables low in sodium
- Peanut butter high in protein
- Nuts and trail mixes high in nutrition
- Granola bars for quick energy
To add variety, include comfort foods like mac and cheese, canned soups, and freeze-dried camping meals. Swap out items in your kit yearly and aim for a diverse mix so you don't get bored. Having survival food you enjoy makes sticking to your emergency plan easier.
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Top Picks for Survival Food Essentials in 2023
The best emergency food supplies to consider for your family's preparedness kit in 2023, featuring selections from the best survival food companies.
ReadyWise Emergency Food Buckets
ReadyWise is one of the top survival food brands known for their high-quality ingredients and long 25-year shelf life. Their emergency food buckets come prepared with freeze-dried entrees, fruits, vegetables, and proteins that can be quickly rehydrated with water when needed.
The advantage of ReadyWise is the variety of entrée options available, from fan favorites like cheesy broccoli soup and chicken fried rice to Southwest style rice and beans. With over 20 gourmet varieties, you can build an emergency pantry catered to your family's unique tastes. The lightweight buckets also make ReadyWise products easily portable in an evacuation scenario.
For optimal nutrition, ReadyWise uses a gentle freeze-drying process that helps retain more vitamins and minerals compared to alternative preservation methods. Just one entrée bucket contains as much as 2,000 calories, providing substantial nourishment during a crisis.
With a decades-long shelf life and restaurant-quality meals, ReadyWise is a smart choice for stocking up on survival food essentials this year.
Assessing the 25-Year Emergency Food Supply Options
Several survival food brands now offer food kits advertised to last 25 years or more. But are these truly viable for long-term emergency preparedness?
The advantage of 25-year food supplies is the ability to "set it and forget it". As long as stored properly in a cool, dark space, the freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients can last for decades. This allows you to establish an emergency stockpile that requires little ongoing maintenance.
However, nutritionists caution against solely subsisting on these rations for extended periods. The meals tend to be calorie-dense but lack fresh fruits and vegetables. Making sure to rotate and replenish food stocks annually can help offset potential vitamin deficiencies.
Supplementing ultra-long-term food reserves with a variety of home-canned goods, heirloom seeds, and hunting/foraging knowledge creates a more holistic, sustainable emergency plan. The 25-year kits serve an important back-up role but should not replace developing self-reliance skills.
Wise Food Company 60-Serving Entrée Only Grab and Go Kit
For those just beginning their survival food preparations, Wise Food Company's 60-Serving Entrée Kit provides an affordable place to start. Priced under $100, it includes tasty, top-rated meal varieties like cheesy lasagna, hearty potato cheddar soup, and Italian-style pasta Alfredo.
As an added convenience, the boil-in-bag pouches and compact size allow you to literally "grab and go" in an emergency evacuation. They also require minimal water and cooking equipment, making meal prep simple when traditional kitchen tools are unavailable.
With a 15-year shelf life, this starter kit packs enough substantial, comforting meals for an individual for 2 months. It's an economical way to build confidence in incorporating survival food essentials into your household's emergency planning.
Selecting an Emergency Food Supply for a Family of 4
When preparing a survival food stockpile for a family of 4, key considerations include accounting for each family member's unique tastes and nutritional needs, ensuring adequate calories and meal variety for the intended duration, and selecting products tailored for simple preparation and storage constraints.
To cover all preferences, choose food kits with 20+ assorted entrees, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Kits sized for 200+ servings help avoid menu fatigue over multiple weeks. Focusing on heat-and-eat, add-water meals simplifies cooking when traditional appliances are unavailable.
Some top-rated picks for a family of 4 include:
- Augason Farms 30-Day Food Storage Emergency Pail (1 Bucket): Offers convenient breakfasts, lunches, dinners
- Mountain House Just In Case Bucket: 14 servings of each — beef stroganoff, chicken teriyaki, rice
- Legacy Premium 126-Serving Fruit & Grain Combo: For supplemental carbs, sugars, and fiber
Tailoring your food reserves to your family’s unique demographics ensures all members are accounted for when an emergency strikes.
Costco Survival Food Kits for Bulk Buying
For supersized savings, buying survival food supplies in bulk from warehouse retailers like Costco lends exceptional value for money. Shoppers can realize up to 30% savings versus buying the same emergency kits from the manufacturer.
Bulk buying also simplifies keeping a deep pantry, as you can purchase an entire year's supply in one convenient trip. Costco's private label Kirkland Signature provides high-quality ingredients at members-only low pricing.
Look for the following advantages when bulk shopping survival food at Costco:
- Bulk pricing discounts on large family- or bucket-sized kits
- Kirkland Signature products rival top food prep brands
- Mix & match across various food types (proteins, carbs, produce)
- Easy to stock up for a full year in one trip
With the ability to purchase reputable products like Mountain House and Thrive Life's freeze-dried vegetables in budget-friendly bulk, Costco is a go-to destination for scaling emergency food stocks.
The Practicality of Survival Food Kits
Delving into the real-world effectiveness of survival food kits and discussing the question, 'Are survival food kits worth it?'
The Nutritional Value in Survival Food Kits
Survival food kits aim to provide long-lasting, nutritious food options when access to fresh food is limited. Most kits contain freeze-dried or dehydrated meals that maintain decent nutritional value over time. For example, popular survival food brands like Mountain House and Wise Foods offer meals with 10+ grams of protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.
With a well-rounded combination of entrees like pasta primavera, eggs with bacon, rice & chicken, you can meet daily nutritional needs with survival kits during an emergency. Some kits even allow you to customize meal options based on dietary needs or preferences. The key is finding a kit from reputable survival food companies 2023 that offers both long shelf life and balanced nutrition.
Ease of Use and Preparation in Emergency Scenarios
When an unexpected emergency strikes, the last thing you want is to fumble with complex food preparation. Survival food kits simplify the process by providing pre-made entrees that just require water and 5-15 minutes to reconstitute. Everything is portable, lightweight and easy to make, which is perfect for unpredictable scenarios.
For example, the top-rated ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply buckets allow you to quickly whip up dishes like chili mac, cheesy broccoli soup, or apple cinnamon oatmeal. With minimal cleanup, survival food kits greatly ease the burden when access to utilities may be restricted during a crisis.
Cost vs. Benefit Analysis of Survival Kits
Are survival food kits worth it? While buying an extensive long-term kit may seem costly upfront, the investment can pay dividends if an emergency occurs. For example, a 1-month supply for a family of 4 from Mountain House costs $400-$700 depending on options. But considering a potential disaster scenario, this small investment safeguards proper nourishment when you need it most.
There is certainly peace of mind knowing you have quick access to tasty, nutritious meals for weeks or months at a time. And with a decades-long shelf life, restocking survival kits yearly helps stagger costs while guaranteeing emergency preparedness. Overall the upfront investment brings great benefit for unexpected catastrophes.
Exploring MRE Survival Food as a Convenient Option
MRE survival food (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) also brings reliable convenience ideal for emergencies. MREs provide calorie-dense, portable meal options for harsh environments with no refrigeration required. While MRE selection is more limited than survival kits focused on home storage, their durability and utter reliability makes them a staple for many preppers. A premium 25-year MRE supply can cost $5,000+ but brings vital food security if kept properly. Whether using MREs solely or combining them with survival kits, they provide nutritious reliability when you need it most.
Survival Rations: Storing and Organizing for the Long Haul
Properly storing and organizing your emergency food supply is crucial for ensuring it remains viable and accessible when you need it most. By implementing some best practices around storage containers, labeling, rotation, and placement, you can keep your survival rations protected and usable for years to come.
Use Food-Grade Plastic Buckets for Extended Shelf Life
When it comes to picking storage containers for your emergency food, opt for food-grade plastic buckets with gasket lids. These buckets are designed to be air and water tight, protecting against pests, light exposure, and oxygen. This allows your food to stay fresher for longer, extending shelf life. Many emergency food kits from brands like ReadyWise and Mountain House come packaged in these types of buckets already. You can also purchase additional buckets for DIY storage and organization.
Aim to store each food type in its own container, whether freeze-dried entrees, grains/legumes, or freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. This keeps things neatly separated for quick access later on. Label the outside of each bucket with the contents and expiration date too.
Organize by Expiration Date for Efficient Rotation
To avoid waste, you'll want to implement a first-in, first-out system for your survival rations. This means organizing items by expiration date and making sure to use up the older packages before tapping into newer ones.
Designate part of your storage area just for incoming food, placing new additions behind existing inventory. Then when taking food out for practice runs or real emergencies, always access the front-most packages first.
You can also group items into monthly or quarterly buckets, pulling from each set during a regular rotation through your supply.
Taking Inventory: The Annual Check-Up for Your Emergency Food
Conduct an annual inventory check on your emergency food, looking at labeling for expiration dates and inspecting packages for any signs of damage or infestation. This ensures everything remains intact, edible, and ready to sustain your household when needed.
If anything seems off with certain packages or buckets, you may need to replace those rations to keep your reserves viable for disasters. Mark your calendar to make this an annual routine.
Accessibility: Storing Essentials Within Reach
While basement and garage storage works for bulk items, also keep a starter supply of emergency food essentials somewhere easily accessible in your home, like the pantry or closet. This allows you to grab critical supplies at a moment's notice if crisis hits.
Prioritize nutritional density and portability when picking these close-at-hand rations, like high-calorie survival bars, MREs, and pouches of freeze-dried staples like rice, beans, vegetables, and proteins. Having a small supply nearby buys you time to access your longer-term reserves later on.
Incorporating a Rotation Plan to Avoid Wastage
The key to avoiding expiration and deterioration of your emergency food supply is consistently rotating through and replenishing it. Set reminders to integrate survival rations into camping meals, your household's regular menu rotation, and 72-hour kit refreshers every 6 to 12 months.
This rotation continually puts fresh packages into play while using up older inventory. Then restock the supply with new purchases every year or two to complete the cycle. Following this system will keep you optimally prepared with reliable, fresh survival food for emergencies.
Investing in good storage methods and organization will pay dividends by keeping your emergency food viable for years to come. Implement these best practices as a vital component of your household's disaster preparedness.
Comprehensive Emergency Food Planning: Beyond the Basics
Having an adequate food supply is obviously critical when planning for emergencies, but there are other essential factors to consider as well to ensure your family's health and comfort. Let's explore some of the key accompaniments that take your preparedness to the next level.
Water Storage: The Companion to Your Food Supply
Stocking enough survival food may allow you to withstand a crisis, but without an ample reserve of water, consuming and preparing meals becomes extremely difficult. Experts recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least 72 hours. Consider adding items like durable water barrels with spigots or water filtration mechanisms to guarantee access. You'll be glad you did if the taps run dry.
Compiling the Necessary Supplies for Food Preparation
Beyond procuring the survival food itself, gather the tools to safely handle and serve your preserved provisions. Useful items include portable propane or butane stoves, stainless steel mess kits, cutlery, manual can openers, paper plates and towels, and even a bucket with a tight lid for containing food waste if plumbing services are disrupted.
Creating Effective Rationing Guidelines
Carefully calculate and adhere to minimum daily calorie allotments for each family member, balancing carbs, protein, fruits and vegetables. Children and elderly require less. Prioritize nutrient variety, and supplement meals with multivitamins. Meticulous planning prevents your stocks from prematurely disappearing. Consider an 25-year emergency food supply using #10 cans with robust shelf lives.
Ensuring Backup Power for Cooking and Heating
Should the grid fail, power outages threaten your ability to safely prepare meals. Have contingency sources like portable generators, propane tanks or wood stoves to run appliances. Fuel may become scarce, so identify backup cooking methods like camp stoves, solar ovens or even hibachis that harness renewable fuel sources. Maintain heat and fuel if the emergency spans seasons.
Ready-to-Move: Packing Essentials for Evacuation
Having go-bags prepped with food staples, a mini stove, basic mess kit, utensils, a manual can opener and other key elements will prove invaluable if authorities order a prompt evacuation. Know exactly what to grab when seconds count. Include pets! Stay nimble and ready to move at the drop of a hat, no matter the emergency.
Securing Nourishment for Every Eventuality
With thoughtful selection and organization of survival food rations, you can ensure your family is fueled to handle whatever comes your way.
Recap of Essential Survival Food Planning Steps
When preparing your emergency food supply, be sure to:
- Assess your family's unique needs in terms of calories, nutrients, allergies, storage space, and budget
- Research and compare different survival food products from trusted companies like ReadyWise and Mountain House
- Organize food by expiration date, putting items with sooner dates in front
- Create printed guidelines on daily recommended portions and supplementation with stored water
Revisiting these key planning steps ensures you have nourishing, long-lasting foods ready for every member of the family when an emergency strikes.
Understanding the Multi-Layered Nature of Preparedness
While having sufficient survival food is crucial, it is just one component in overall emergency preparedness. Be sure to also have contingency plans for:
- Water access and purification
- First aid and medical supplies
- Self-defense preparations
- Communication systems
Taking a layered approach ensures that even if one system fails, others are in place to protect your family.
Investing in Survival Foods: Securing Future Safety
Stocking up on survival foods requires an upfront investment, but pays off exponentially in peace of mind. Knowing you can sustain your family in an extended grid-down scenario lets you sleep better at night.
Prioritizing emergency food now also saves money over buying smaller quantities at higher prices later. With a well-planned, nutritious food supply, you are investing in your family’s future safety and self-reliance.
