If you are preparing for a possible evacuation, the American Red Cross and Amazon offer 3-day emergency preparedness kits and other emergency supplies. But you can be much safer in a crisis if you go beyond the 72-hour minimum. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends storing 1 gallon per day for each person and, if possible, creating a two-week supply. Don't forget to save more water if you have pets.For affordable storage, especially if you have a large home or want a complete and lasting reservation, buy what you can in bulk.
If you're not sure what to include on your wholesale shopping list, consider 10 Foods That Can Be Preserved for Years. For more ideas, see “20 Things That Are Really Worth Accumulating. Other emergency food supplies will offer a more balanced approach, providing you with nutrients and vitamins to prevent disease, hunger and maintain your metabolism.Creating your emergency food supply kit will help you feel more calm and secure about your ability to feed your family in an emergency. Canned goods are an excellent source for storing an emergency food supply, but they're not meant to last 25 years.
If you want to ensure that your food has a shelf life of at least 25 years with the same flavor and texture as when it was first prepared, consider buying freeze-dried food.Ideally, store your food supply in an interior room on the lowest level of your home. One approach to long-term food storage is to store basic foods in bulk along with a variety of canned and dry foods. When you start working on your food supply, make a list of emergency food supplies. Some food supplies are designed for people who intend to be active during emergencies and disasters (such as first responders or emergency medical technicians), while other food supplies are meant to provide the minimum of essential nutrients to keep you alive for the most possible time.Think about a “coupon mentality” when preparing your emergency food supply kit.
As you gather ideas for the emergency food supply list, make sure the expiration date is at least 8 to 10 months. When you accumulate food, store foods with high amounts of calories and protein, such as meats, beans, and pasta. As time and budget allow, slowly increase the supply of non-perishable food while decreasing the amount of canned food. Buying items now for your emergency food supply kit before you panic saves you between 50% and 80% below the normal retail price.Slowly building an emergency food supply kit helps you budget your needs in your weekly grocery budget, helping you save money in the long run.
With an emergency food supply kit in place, you can be sure that your family will be safe and well-fed during any crisis.
