Emergency Food Suppliers Dont Be Caught Without Food Stock Up Now
Introduction
Food is vital in an emergency. To be ready for the worst, have plenty of non-perishable edibles and kitchen supplies. You need enough food and kitchen items to last you and your family.
It can be hard to find the right supplies. This guide will tell you about emergency food sources, what to keep in mind when buying, and tips for storage.
Knowledge is power when it comes to stocking up on emergency foods. Get informed and ensure your family is ready for any crisis.
Reasons to Stock Up on Emergency Food
Essential for survival: stocking up on non-perishable food items. In an emergency? Having food stores is a must. This article covers why it's important, what food to look for and where to find it. Get the scoop!
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are unpredictable and can take away your food in a few minutes. Depending on the disaster, you may not have access for days, weeks or months. People worry about where their next meal will come from or if they have no food.
Having food stored can help in a crisis when it's not safe to go to a store. Plus, it gives you peace of knowing that you're prepared. From hurricanes to tornados, snowstorms to earthquakes, you need to prepare more than just water. Stock up on non-perishable items.
These foods should last a few weeks and don't need preparation:
- dehydrated/long shelf-life foods
- canned items
- grains
- pastas
- milk
- nut butters
Check expiry dates so you know which foods need replacing more often. An emergency is stressful, so having food ready helps.
Power Outages
Power outages can be caused by natural disasters like tornados, hurricanes, and earthquakes. They can also be caused by people, like terrorists or accidents. When power is out, it affects people's lives. That's why having emergency food stored is so important. You need access to essential vitamins and minerals.
Emergency rations come pre-packaged, with long shelf-lives. Stock up on energy bars, dried fruits and veggies, canned goods, soups, cereals, nuts, and protein powder. With these supplies, you'll make it through the power outage with your sanity intact!
Political Unrest
Political unrest can have big effects. It's unpredictable what could happen. Civil disorder may cause food shortages. Emergency food is essential for these times. It stores easily, so you don't miss out.
Emergency food isn't only for politics. Natural disasters can affect food supplies. Having emergency foods ready can help with the unexpected. Severe weather can damage transportation and stop supply chains.
In tough times where ready-made meals are not available,
- energy bars and meal replacements can help.
- Canned proteins like fish or beans are easy to cook and provide nutrition.
Stash away basics for emergencies!
Job Loss
Job loss is a reality of life. When money is tight, every penny counts. Emergency food suppliers offer shelf-stable products that can sustain your family during hard times. Canned beans, soup mix, dehydrated fruits and veggies, and grains like oats and wheat are all great options. Packaged meals are also a popular choice – they're less expensive and require less time than bulk items.
Stocking up on emergency food ahead of time will make sure there's enough food during a job loss emergency:
- Canned beans
- Soup mix
- Dehydrated fruits and veggies
- Grains like oats and wheat
- Packaged meals
Types of Emergency Food Supplies
Having the correct emergency food supplies during times of disaster is key for surviving. There are different types of food available to buy, depending on your needs. These can range from backpacking meals to freeze-dried, canned, or dehydrated. It is important to know the different kinds of food supplies and to get them now – you never know when an emergency will arise! Let's explore further.
Canned Goods
Canned goods are ideal for an emergency food supply; they can last up to five years – or even more! Fruits and vegetables can last 1-4 years, and meat products stored in cans can last for five years.
Beans, soups, and tuna are great for building an emergency food supply. Other canned items to have on hand are: canned milk, juices, fruits & veggies, beans, chicken & beef, chili & soup, and fish products like sardines and tuna.
Also, don't forget condiments like oil, vinegar, and spices – they'll add variety to your meals and provide key elements for healthy eating in emergencies.
Freeze-Dried Foods
Freeze-dried foods are a hit for emergency food supplies. They're dehydrated and preserved in frozen, refrigerated or airtight containers, to be stored for years without spoiling. Freeze-dried foods keep their original nutrition, taste and texture when mixed with water. Plus, they're lightweight and portable.
The freeze-drying process includes freezing then vacuum-sealing the product in airtight packaging. Although, freeze-dried foods may not be suitable for an emergency period if time is limited. However, they make great additions to meal kits, where hot water is available.
Popular freeze-dried products are:
- Fruits (apples, pears, raisins)
- Vegetables (cauliflower, celery flakes, potatoes)
- Proteins (legumes, nuts, seeds)
- Grains (wheat berries)
- Dairy products (powdered milk)
- Baking essentials (flours, baking soda/powder)
- Special items (seasonings, condiments) to boost flavor without added bulk or weight.
MREs
MREs, otherwise known as “Meals Ready to Eat“, are single, self-contained packages. They don't need extra prep or cooking. Originally made for military personnel without hot meals, now MREs are popular for emergency food.
Each MRE includes an entree like chili macaroni, beef stew, chicken and dumplings, or ravioli. Plus, a dessert, crackers and spreads, candy, a snack, coffee, and a flavored drink mix. On average, each pack has 1,250 calories. Plus, they last up to 5 years in good storage conditions – 70°F with low humidity.
Before buying, inspect each package. If it looks bloated, avoid it. That likely means it was exposed to heat and the meal inside is not good anymore. When you store multiple cases, put them in the original containers and keep them away from heat sources like ovens or furnaces. Heat can cause spoilage in only a few months if exposed for a long time.
Dehydrated Foods
Dehydrated foods are pre-prepared and dried to reduce moisture. This allows them to be preserved for long periods of time. Depending on how they're stored, they can last up to 25 years! Dehydrated food is an ideal way to reduce weight, yet still keep nutrition levels high.
Emergency food suppliers usually offer dehydrated options, which are easy and quick to prepare. These include:
- Fruits like apples, raisins and strawberries;
- Vegetables such as peas, carrots and potatoes;
- Diary in powdered form;
- Meats like chicken pieces and beef crumbles;
- Granola bars;
- Cereal bars;
- Oatmeal; and
- Pastas like macaroni noodles.
It's important to check expiration dates before stocking up. Dehydrates will stay viable from 5-25 years if stored properly; at the right temperature, in airtight packaging with no oxygen exposure.
Benefits of Stocking Up on Emergency Food
Stocking food for emergencies is a great way to secure yourself and your family. Having food ready can avert the hassle of last-minute shopping for essentials in an emergency. Let's explore the advantages of gathering emergency food:
- Advantage 1
- Advantage 2
- Advantage 3
- Advantage 4
Nutritional Value
Having a balanced diet in times of crisis is tricky. That's why it is important to have access to emergency food supplies. These provide nutrients, shelf-stability, and long-term storage.
Emergency food suppliers offer a range of complete meals with proteins, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals.
During an emergency, the body needs long-lasting sources of energy. Prepper foods are loaded with carbs, proteins, fats, and essential nutrients. Fruits and veg may not be available, but these foods are fortified with:
- iron
- vitamins A & E
- phosphorus
- potassium
Certain dehydrated or freeze dried products also have probiotics for digestive health, or essential fatty acids from seafood. Many emergency food suppliers have these options, so you can prepare nutritious meals knowing your family's nutrition is taken care of, even in the most uncertain times.
Shelf Life
Shelf life is key when stocking up on emergency food. Canned and preserved foods are popular. Canned goods can last a year to five years. Storing them properly can make them last longer. Dehydrated vegetables last 8-10 years, and freeze-dried vegetables last 25 years in ideal storage. Check the packaging for guidance on how long each product will last. Store location or environmental conditions may reduce the shelf life.
Inspect the packages at home. Put short shelf life items in an airtight container for immediate use.
Portability
Stocking up on emergency food is important. One big perk is portability. Get food that's light, compact and adjustable. Having the ability to store and move food in an emergency gives you a sense of security.
Also, consider the space needed to transport the food. Packaged meals are better than cans. They save space for other essentials like clothes, blankets, or medical supplies.
Adjustable servings are great, too. You can change the number of people served without compromising quality. This is especially helpful if you have special diets like gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian.
Best Practices for Storing Emergency Food
Emergencies can happen any time. It's essential to be ready. Stock up on emergency food! Know the best practices for storing it. This article will tell you how. Ensure a safe and nutritious food supply. Store it properly to make sure it lasts.
- Choose the right location to store the food. Ideal places include cool, dry, dark places such as a basement or a pantry.
- Check expiration dates and rotate food regularly.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Keep food away from potential pests.
- Store food off the floor.
- Label food with the date of purchase.
Proper Storage Conditions
Temp control is key for emergency food safety. Keep perishable items below 40°F and non-perishables between 50 to 70°F. Moisture, heat, light, and air should be managed. Non-refrigerated items should be in dry, clean conditions. Lids should be tightly closed. And store containers off the ground.
Choose foods that can tolerate temp changes. E.g. canned meats, veg, peanut butter, grains, dried fruits, canned beans/stews/soups, crackers, bars. Rotate foods with a shelf life so they don't expire.
Check your equipment and food often. Some spices have high essential oil content which can cause issues at low temperatures. Minor breaches in conditions can cause the loss of nutrients, reducing shelf life and nutritional value.
Rotating Stock
Rotating your emergency food supply is important. As food ages, its nutrition can decline and it can spoil. To avoid this, make a rotation schedule. Put the oldest items at the front of your stockpile and use them first. Label cans with expiration dates, and replace them when needed.
This will help you keep up a balanced stock of fresh food – so you won't worry about using old foods in an emergency.
Use By Dates
When buying emergency food, always check labels for the use-by date. This guarantees that the food is safe to eat. The use-by date isn't an expiration date, so it's best to look at the “best if used before” date to decide which product is good for you.
Store your emergency food in a cool, dark place. The temperature should be below 75 Fahrenheit (24 °C) and humidity should be 50-70%. Rotate your food often and use it before buying new items.
For pre-packaged meals, follow the instructions on the packaging. Grains that need cooking can last several months in a cool, dry area. They may need to be rehydrated with either boiling or cold water, depending on the type.
Monitor your food regularly to make sure it's still fresh. If any packages are damp or discolored, don't consume them. This could lead to potential life-threatening issues, like contamination poisoning or bacterial infection due to expired food.
Finally, set aside a portion of the stored food each month to replenish your supply before it expires or runs out.
Conclusion
Global food shortages and instability means everyone must have emergency food. Natural disasters and stocking for long-term needs gives peace of mind. An emergency food supplier offers different foods, e.g. fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and MREs.
Evaluate your family's needs and store a two-week supply of food. This will ensure you are ready for life's surprises. With an emergency food supplier, you can be secure in the knowledge that you won't go without sustenance if disaster strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Where can I buy emergency food supplies?
A1: You can purchase emergency food supplies from your local grocery store, convenience store, or online retailers such as Amazon.
Q2: What kind of food should I buy for an emergency?
A2: Non-perishable items that are high in calories and nutrition are best for emergency food supplies. This includes canned foods, dried fruits and nuts, energy bars, and freeze-dried meals.
Q3: How much food do I need to stock up for an emergency?
A3: It is recommended to have at least a two-week supply of food on hand. This should include food for each person in the household as well as any pets.