Whether you’re re-stocking your go-bag, or creating your family’s first stay box, having a three-day supply of shelf-stable food, at the minimum, is an essential component of being prepared for a disaster or emergency.
When earthquakes, wildfires or floods occur, access to food, water and electricity can be cut off. An emergency food supply offers peace of mind, in addition to nourishment, during a potentially challenging time for you and your family.
Building an emergency food stash doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Here are some tips on how to get started building your supply:
- Focus on shelf-stable food items, such as canned or dehydrated
- Don’t forget to rotate out food items as they near their expiration date and replace them with new items
- Consider dietary restrictions
- Don’t forget pet food
- Make sure you have a manual can opener
- For shelf-life general guidelines, look through this handy guide
Food suggestions:
- Canned meats, fish, vegetables and fruit
- Nut butters, like peanut or almond butter
- Canned juices
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Protein and granola bars
- Dry cereals
- Rice, pasta and oats
- Crackers
- Hard candy
- Powdered milk
- Instant coffee
- Water (one gallon per person per day is recommended)
Keep it affordable:
- Shop your pantry first: if you already have multiple cans of something, set one or two aside for your stay box or go bag
- Buy an extra can each time you go shopping
- Choose generic items
- Split costs with friends or family by buying in bulk and dividing the items
- Add paper plates you may already have on hand to your stay box. And, add in napkins, plastic forks, spoons and knives you’ve collected when you got takeout food.
For more information on preparing for a disaster, click here for Listos California’s Disaster Ready Guide.