Emergency Food
Food Insurance For Your Family

An emergency situation can last from a few hours up to two weeks, anything longer than that is a survival situation. You know that you need to have food on hand for emergencies, but knowing how much and what you need in your emergency kit is very important. Having an emergency food supply means that your family won't go hungry if weather, health, or other problems prevent you from getting to the grocery store. Just remember that an emergency food supply should be kept apart from your normal groceries.

When you prepare your emergency food supply, keep in mind what your family's needs and tastes are. Include foods that they enjoy and are high in calories and nutrition. Try to stock up on canned foods that won't require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Even though most emergencies don't last for two weeks, you should have a supply that will last at least that long. The easiest way to make a two week emergency food supply is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves. It is important to keep your supply fresh by simply rotating your supply once or twice a year. Having a supply of familiar foods on hand can give a feeling of security in times of stress.


Emergency Food, MRE's, and Survival Supplies!

It is important to store your food supply in a cool dry place in your home. It is also a good idea to date the food when you bring them home, this will help you keep track of how long you have had the food. All packages have use by dates on them, but generally, crackers and cereals should be used within three months. Dried fruit, peanut butter, dry mild, instant coffee and cocoa mix should by used within six months. Even though canned food can be kept indefinitely, it is a good idea to used and replace them within a year. Don't forget to include a can opener and disposable utensils with your emergency food supply. And if you have pets don't forget to have a supply of nonperishable foods for them.



Water is an absolute necessity for your emergency food supply. A normal person needs to consume at least two quarts of water each day, and you will need additional water for food preparation. You should store a two week supply of water for each member of your family, which should be at least one gallon per person, per day. Store your water in clean plastic or glass containers. But, before storing your water, you will need to treat it with a preservative, such as chlorine bleach, to prevent the growth of micro-organisms. The liquid bleach should contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Add four drops of the bleach to each quart of water and stir. Seal your containers tightly, label and store them in a cool, dark place.

In the event of a national disaster or military attack, you may want to have a long term emergency food supply. It is best to store large amounts of staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods. Other options are specially formulated cookie bars that provide the normal daily requirements for vitamins and minerals, and have a five year storage life. MREs (Meals-Ready-to- Eat) make an excellent food supply for emergencies. Theses are the military's latest type of rations and have a five to seven year shelf life. Camping pouch products are packaged in a foil pouch and have a shelf life of about two years. These foods are either dehydrated or freeze dried, but do require water to prepare. You can also add dehydrated or freeze dried foods similar to the pouch products, but are packaged in double enamelled cans and have a shelf life of ten to fifteen years.

When planning your emergency food supply, don't let the cost overwhelm you. Buy a little at a time. By taking the time to store emergency food and water supplies you will be able to provide for your family.





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