When it comes to emergency preparedness, having a reliable food supply is essential. Knowing how to store and rotate your emergency food supply can help ensure that you have access to safe and nutritious food in the event of an emergency. The first step in preparing for an emergency is to determine how much food you need. The federal government recommends having a basic emergency supply kit that includes enough food and water for each member of your household for at least three days.
However, depending on the type of disaster, you may need more than three days' worth of food. For example, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you may want to have a week's worth of food on hand. When it comes to choosing the right foods for your emergency supply, it's important to select items that are non-perishable and easy to store. Canned foods are a great choice, as they can last up to three or four days after their expiration date.
Camping tents are also a good source of compact, well-preserved foods that are ideal for emergency preparedness kits. It's also important to reserve a dedicated emergency food supply so that you don't accidentally use it as part of your normal food supply. To ensure the best quality of products, here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods:
- Check expiration dates regularly and replace expired items.
- Rotate canned goods every six months.
- Store items in a cool (room temperature), dry and dark place.
- Keep the emergency food supply in a separate location from your regular food supply.
Finally, remember that adding additional foods to your regular inventory can be an effective way to increase your emergency food supply while minimizing waste and excessive costs. Smaller boxes or bags can make it easier to transport emergency food, as well as easier to pack in the trunk of a car in case you need to evacuate or move somewhere else.
