Are you concerned about how to take care of your family in an emergency? Do you know what to have on hand when it comes to nutritious foods that can be safely stored?
Emergency planning can involve anything from storms that knock out power for several days, to blocked roadways making it difficult to get home, or even the possibility of a full breakdown of infrastructure. Emergencies can happen at any time—and most of the time, without warning.
Two years ago, an unpredicted windstorm knocked out three power stations in my town. We lost power for over a week—during the summer. Fortunately, some simple preparations helped me keep myself and my pets cool and well-fed. Since then, I’ve been researching more ways to ensure that my family is better prepared if an emergency happens again.
How Many Calories Do You Need Per Day During an Emergency?
For most adults, basic metabolic needs—without factoring in activity—are around 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day. However, activity level, age, health status, and gender can significantly affect the caloric needs of individuals in your household. This should be taken into account when determining how much food you should have prepared and stored.
Choosing Nutritious, Shelf-Stable Foods for Emergency Storage
High-quality, nutritious food is the next important factor. Nutrient-dense foods that can be stored in minimal space are ideal. Long-term food storage requires space and time to prepare, but with the right research, you can find a way to stockpile enough nutritious food for your family.
Storing food can be complicated and may take up a lot of space. How can you store food for the long term? There are several methods, including freezing, canning, dehydrating, and freeze-drying. Which one is right for you? It depends on the type of emergency, how long you need to store food, the amount of storage space you have, your time, and your budget.
Top 4 Food Preservation Methods for Emergency Preparedness
Let’s take a closer look at a few of these methods:
Freezing for Short-Term Emergency Food Storage
Freezing is great for short-term storage, but it requires electricity. In an emergency where power is lost, frozen food must be used quickly. Food stored at 0°F can be kept indefinitely; however, its quality and texture may degrade over time. Because freezing stops bacterial growth, frozen food is generally considered safe as long as it remains frozen. Be sure to use airtight, freezer-safe packaging. Keep in mind that frozen foods take up a lot of space and may not travel well if you need to evacuate.
Canning: Long-Term Shelf-Stable Food Storage Solution
Canning is a preservation method in which food is placed in airtight jars or cans and sealed using heat to eliminate microorganisms that cause spoilage. Properly canned foods can last 1–5 years, though some people report using them longer. Canning can be time-consuming and requires significant storage space, but it’s a great way to keep a wide variety of shelf-stable meals on hand. You can can vegetables, meats, broths, fruits, jams, jellies, and more. Pressure- or steam-canned foods are pre-cooked and can be eaten cold in an emergency. Here is a link to a great book.
Dehydration: Lightweight Emergency Food Preservation
A food dehydrator allows you to preserve foods like meats, fruits, and vegetables. Storage times vary: meats last 1–2 months, vegetables around 6 months, and fruits up to a year—depending on packaging, temperature, and humidity. Store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to maximize shelf life. Dehydrated foods are lightweight and travel well, making them ideal for quick evacuations. To rehydrate them to their original texture, boil for about 20 minutes.
Freeze-Drying: Ultimate Long-Term Food Storage Method
Freeze-drying is becoming more popular for home use thanks to commercially available machines. A wide variety of foods can be freeze-dried and stored for up to 25 years in airtight containers—especially when using oxygen absorbers. Once opened, the shelf life drops to 6–12 months. This method preserves much of the food’s original nutrients and makes for easy meal preparation. Common freeze-dried items include eggs, soups, stews, vegetables, meats, fruits, and even candy or cake for a sweet treat.
Pre-Made Emergency Food Supplies: Ready-to-Store Options
Not ready to DIY? You can buy pre-made supplies. If doing all this at home feels overwhelming, don’t worry—there are many places to buy pre-prepared foods that only need to be stored. The first step is to decide how many days’ worth of food you want on hand and calculate your family’s nutritional needs.
Emergency Food Storage Recommendations
It’s recommended to have at least 3 to 7 days of food and water available in case of emergency. Food should be shelf-stable and nutritious, and you’ll need at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. And don’t forget your pets!