Be Prepared! Tips for Creating an Emergency Food Supply

If you live in the Northeast, you’re probably still in shock after this week’s freak October snowstorm. Fortunately, my house didn’t lose power, but many of my friends and family members weren’t so lucky, and we had a few extra house guests this week who needed to escape their cold, dark homes!

This week’s untimely winter storm was a harsh reminder that it’s never too early to put together an emergency food plan for blizzards and other extreme weather events. Here’s the “least you need to know” about stocking your pantry and preparing your home for winter emergencies, so you’re ready for any situation that might crop up.

#1 CREATE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY OF NONPERSHIABLE FOODS

Assemble a kit of nutritious, shelf-stable foods that don’t require heating. A few times a year, examine your “emergency stash” and rotate any items nearing the expiration date into your kitchen pantry for immediate use. Then, replenish your emergency food supply with new purchases. Healthy additions to your kit include sealed packages of:

• Nuts and seeds


• Dried fruit and fruit leathers


• Trail mix


• Nut butters


• Light tuna, chicken and/or wild salmon (cans or pouches)


• Turkey jerky


• Fruit canned in 100% juice


• Canned vegetables (preferably low-sodium)


• Natural (unsweetened) applesauce


• Low-sodium canned beans


• Whole-grain crackers


• Whole-grain cereal


• Granola/nutrition/protein bars


• Evaporated skim milk


• Shelf-stable boxes of almond, soy or rice milk


• Meal replacement shakes

Make sure you have a manual can opener on hand for opening cans in the event of a power outage. If you have infants, you’ll want to include formula (if using) and baby food in your stash as well. If you have pets, keep a back-up supply of their food on hand.

It’s also a good idea to pick up a gas camping stove. This way, you’ll be able to prepare more meal-friendly, heated foods like canned soups and chili, pasta with marinara sauce, or boxed macaroni and cheese.

#2 STOCK UP ON WATER

Keep a minimum 3 day supply of water on hand for your family’s cooking, drinking, and personal hygiene needs. Experts recommend storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day (factor in extra if you have pets). I have a family of 5, so we always have 15 to 20 gallons of water stocked in the basement.

#3 DON’T FORGET ABOUT MEDICATIONS

Keep an emergency 5- to 7-day back-up supply of all prescription medications in a safe place. Be sure to periodically check expiration dates and replace the medications as necessary.