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List of Emergency Food

An emergency preparedness kit is a must-have for every home. Natural disasters can strike at any time, leaving no time to gather needed items. Creating, storing and maintaining an emergency preparedness kit is easy to do as well. Nonperishable food is an important part of this kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends three days worth of food for each person in the household.

  1. Freeze-Dried Foods

    • Freeze-dried foods are sold for both camping and emergency purposes. Both are derivatives of the military's MREs, or "Meals-Ready to Eat" for soldiers. Add water -- preferably hot -- and let it sit until the water is fully absorbed. Freeze-dried food come in a variety of meal flavors and are available for purchase at sporting goods stores or sporting good sections of mega-marts. They tend to be more expensive compared to regularly purchased dried goods.

    Canned Goods

    • Canned goods must be rust and dent free. Canned meat, fruit and vegetables can be stored safely for one year. Choose foods that have additional moisture in them, such as soups, to help prevent dehydration. Avoid high-sodium foods for the same reason. Canned fruit and vegetable juices are sturdier than juice boxes, which is important for both storage and travel reasons.

    Dried Goods

    • Powdered milk is a good milk substitute when there is no refrigeration. Crackers should be salt-free, to prevent dehydration. These two items can be stored safely for six months. Peanut butter, jelly,and cereal can also be stored safely for six months. Dried pasta, rice, dried beans and dry baking products can be stored indefinitely, but must be cooked to be consumed. Cooking may not be possible during an emergency. Soda is a poor choice due to its lack of nutritional value.

    Other Food Issues

    • Pack a hand-held can opener, a pot and utensils. The American Red Cross recommends vitamin, mineral and protein supplements be a part of an emergency preparedness kit. The ARC also recommends at least a two-week supply of nonperishable foods in the house at all times in addition to an emergency preparedness kit. Add formula and teething crackers for infants. Include glucose tablets for diabetics.

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