If a natural disaster or other event forced your family to live without electricity or other utilities for an extended period of time, you’d need a supply of food that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking—something easy to eat cold, or even straight out of the package.
Here, we researched the best emergency food supplies, evaluating each product on calorie count, shelf life, and taste.
Our top pick, 30-Day Emergency Food Supply, has a long shelf life, is nutritionally balanced, and contains plenty of variety.
Here are the best emergency food supplies.
Best Emergency Food Supplies: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Emergency Food Supplies Reviews
- COMPREHENSIVE 30-DAY EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLY: Ensure your family's safety with our ReadyWise 30-Day food kit. Packed with 298 servings, it's perfect for emergency preparedness, providing essential nutrition during unforeseen disasters.
- 25-YEAR SHELF LIFE: Our freeze-dried food supply is designed to last. With a remarkable 25-year shelf life, you can trust that your emergency food will be ready whenever you need it, no matter the circumstances.
- DELICIOUS VARIETY FOR EVERY PLATE: From hearty soups to tasty oatmeal and more, our food buckets offer a diverse range of 10 mouthwatering meal options. Enjoy great-tasting, real ingredients even in emergency situations.
- EASY-TO-PREPARE & READY IN MINUTES: When the unexpected strikes, our food is your ally. Simply add water, stir, and cover – in just 15 minutes, you'll have a hot, satisfying meal ready to eat. No hassle, no worries.
- PERFECT FOR ADVENTURE & SURVIVAL: Whether you're camping, hiking, or prepping for doomsday scenarios, our survival food is a must-have. Lightweight, compact, and individually packaged, it's easy to take on any adventure.
- Strawberries, Apples, Bananas, Raspberries, and Blueberries
- Includes Spiff-e-Whip Dessert Topping for dipping and desserts
- Includes Recipe Booklet
- Fruits individually packaged in heavy-duty, air-tight pouches
- Perfect for emergency food storage, outdoor survival food, camping food, and everyday snacking
- TASTES GREAT: Ready Hour freeze-dried food is designed for emergencies but tasty enough for everyday use.
- BE PREPARED: The world is unpredictable. Be ready for anything with our durable and flood-safe container which features a convenient handle for easy transport. Requires no refrigeration.
- LASTS UP TO 25 YEARS: Includes up to 120 total servings. Can be stored anywhere that offers a cool and dry environment.
- USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: Made for multiple uses; includes 22 resealable pouches that let you use only what you need and save the rest for later. Re-sealed pouches last up to a year.
- MADE IN THE USA: We’re proudly based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- INCREDIBLE VARIETY — 20 SERVINGS: Try delicious recipes like Grammy’s Sweet Oatmeal & America’s Finest Mac & Cheese. About 6 servings a day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. 72-Hour Kit has an average of 4,800 total calories (approx. 1,600 calories per day - you may want or need more+) for energy & nutrients to survive an emergency.
- +YOU MAY WANT OR NEED MORE CALORIES PER DAY especially if you’re pregnant, a child, elderly, or have health conditions. Your food kit is designed to provide energy & nutrients for 1 person in an emergency, not to be a complete caloric replacement during normal times.
- “DISASTER-RESISTANT” PACKAGING: Triple-layer Mylar pouches help protect your food. This premium packaging works as a barrier to help protect against things that can harm your food: air, light and moisture. Then we use a high-tech, high-capacity oxygen absorber to suck OUT any excess air. Which seals IN your food’s shelf life.
- TASTE GREAT, NUTRITIOUS & EASY TO PREPARE: Simply add boiling water, simmer and serve. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- PROUDLY PACKED IN USA, NO ADDED MSG: Your food is packed at a family-owned facility in Utah, USA using the finest ingredients sourced from the USA & around the world. And the hard-working folks that make your food are experts in their field; nutritionists, chefs, engineers, & quality control inspectors. Our facility is SQF certified & registered with the USDA and FDA.
- 🏕️ High Energy Biscuits - Is a compressed type biscuit in vacuum package, it is supplemental bar containing cereals and other high energy foods targeted at people who require quick energy but do not have time for a meal.
- 🏕️ Energy Value - 1 block of at least 1125 kcal (4700 kJ). One block contains 4 biscuits, each weighing 62.5 grams.
- 🏕️ Shelf Life and Storage Conditions - The shelf life of biscuits in the original packaging is 20 years. We recommend storing in a dry, dark place. If you removed the original packaging, but did not remove the transparent film from the biscuits, you must use them within 6 months. If you have removed the transparent film from the biscuits, they should be consumed within 2 months if stored in a dry, dark place.
- 🏕️ Indispensable - Any hike: from climbing the mountains to a simple trip to nature with tents. But the bisquit is truly indispensable if you are a climber, hunter, hiker or long hiker when there is no way to camp or cook.
- 🏕️ Nutrition Facts - This is not a complete daily diet for an adult. Biscuits is an emergency food ration. It contains the necessary elements and vitamins to maintain the vital activity of your body in extreme situations. Also, for survival, it is imperative to consume fresh water.
- Pail color shown is subject to change
- Emergency food supply averages over 1,200 calories per day
- 200 tasty servings for up to 30 days of hearty food
- Convenient 30-Day Meal Planner included
- Easy to prepare survival food, just add water and cook
- 11 Varieties Of Entrées And Soups (Including Dessert)
- 92 Servings, 21,170 Calories, And 557 Grams Of Protein
- 4-Gallon Watertight Pail For Easy Transportation
- Great For Home, Cabin, Motorhome, And Office
- Easy To Prepare, Ready In Minutes
- 176 Servings
- 26,440 Total calories
- 2,203 Calories Per Day
- (16) Pouches with (7) Food Varieties
- Up to a 20 Year Shelf Life!
- QSS-certified food supply
- Averages 1,854 calories per day, 46G Protein Per Day, 307 Servings
- 13.51 kg watertight pail is easy to transport
- Shelf life of up to 25 years*
- Lid color may vary based on availability
- TASTES GREAT: Ready Hour Freeze dried fruits and veggies are made for emergencies but tasty enough for everyday use.
- BE PREPARED: The world is unpredictable. Be ready for anything with our durable and flood-safe container which features a convenient handle for easy transport. Requires no refrigeration.
- LASTS UP TO 30 YEARS: Includes up to 56 total servings. Can be stored anywhere that offers a cool and dry environment.
- USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: Made for multiple uses; includes seven resealable pouches that let you use only what you need and save the rest for later. Re-sealed pouches last up to a year.
- MADE IN THE USA: We’re proudly based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Best Emergency Food Supplies Buying Guide
Before choosing the right emergency food supplies you should consider the following options:
1. Meals Ready to Eat (MRE): MRE is the most popular form of emergency food supply. It is a self-contained kit that contains all the essential food items in a ready-to-eat form.
These foods have a long shelf life and require no preparation. You can eat them either hot or cold. MREs are easy to carry and can be transported anywhere.
2. Ready-to-cook food kit: This includes all the essential ingredients for preparing a meal such as rice, spices, beans, etc.
You need to add water and cook them for few minutes. These food kits have a longer shelf life. They can last up to 30 years.
3. Freeze-dried foods: Freeze-dried foods are light in weight and easy to carry. They have a long shelf life of up to 30 years.
You need to add water and then boil them. They are the most expensive option.
4. Dehydrated foods: Dehydrated foods are very light in weight and easy to carry. They have a long shelf life of up to 25 years.
You need to add water and then boil them. They are an affordable option.
5. Ready-to-eat canned foods: These canned foods have a shorter shelf life of up to 5 years. They have the least weight and are easy to carry.
6. Ready-to-cook canned foods: These canned foods have a shorter shelf life of up to 5 years. They have the least weight and are easy to carry.
They have to be cooked for some time before eating. They are an affordable option.
7. Freeze dried fruits and vegetables: These foods have a shorter shelf life of up to 5 years. They are light in weight and easy to carry.
8. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables: Dehydrated fruits and vegetables have a shorter shelf life of up to 5 years. They are light in weight and easy to carry.
They need to be boiled in water for some time before eating. They are an affordable option.
9. Multipurpose kit: This includes all the essential food items such as canned foods, dried foods, and MRE.
What else you should know about the best emergency food supplies
1. What are the best emergency food supplies to have on hand?
The best emergency food supplies to have on hand are canned goods, non-perishable items, and water.
2. What are the best ways to store emergency food supplies?
The best ways to store emergency food supplies are to keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place.
3. How long do emergency food supplies last?
Most emergency food supplies will last for at least three days.
4. What are the best emergency food supplies for specific disasters?
Some suggested emergency food supplies include non-perishable items such as canned food, dry goods, and water; as well as items that do not require cooking or refrigeration, such as granola bars, nuts, and trail mix.
5. How can I make sure my emergency food supplies are safe to eat?
There are a few things you can do to make sure your emergency food supplies are safe to eat. First, you should check the expiration dates on all of your food and make sure it is still good. If you have any doubts, you can always err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Second, you should make sure your food is properly stored. This means keeping it in a cool, dry place away from light. Third, you should inspect your food for any signs of spoilage before you eat it. If you see any mold, discoloration, or strange smells, it is best to throw the food out.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best emergency food supplies. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best emergency food supplies will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.