Food Storage

Canned sardines in tomato sauce on a red container with a tomato image, next to a yellow and green tin of sardines in sunflower oil with a fish illustration.

Category 2: Food Storage

Planning Your Food Supply

For 3 days, you need:

  • Approximately 2,000 calories per person per day (adjust for age, size, activity)

  • Food that requires no refrigeration

  • Food that requires no cooking (or minimal heating)

  • Food your family will actually eat under stress

Best Emergency Foods

High priority (stock these first):

  • Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, SPAM)

  • Canned beans (protein and filling)

  • Canned soups and stews

  • Peanut butter (protein, calories)

  • Crackers

  • Cereal and granola

  • Dried fruit and nuts

  • Protein bars and granola bars

  • Pasta and rice (if you have way to boil water)

Good additions:

  • Canned fruits and vegetables

  • Instant oatmeal

  • Shelf-stable milk (UHT boxes)

  • Coffee and tea

  • Instant mashed potatoes

  • Mac and cheese boxes

  • Ramen noodles

  • Jerky

  • Hard candy (morale booster)

Avoid:

  • Foods requiring refrigeration

  • Foods in glass jars (breakable in earthquakes)

  • Foods with high water content if water is scarce

  • Salty foods (increase thirst)

  • Foods your family hates

Storage Tips

How to store:

  • Cool, dry, dark location (pantry, closet, under bed)

  • Off the floor (moisture protection)

  • In airtight containers if opened

  • Organized by expiration date

  • Labeled clearly

Shelf life guide:

  • Canned goods: 2-5 years

  • Dried pasta and rice: 2 years

  • Peanut butter: 1 year (unopened)

  • Crackers: 6-9 months

  • Cereal: 1 year

Rotation system:

  • Use "first in, first out" method

  • Eat and replace items before expiration

  • Check every 6 months

  • Build replacement into grocery shopping

Cooking Without Power

Heat sources (if safe to use):

  • Camp stove (propane or butane)

  • Charcoal grill (OUTSIDE ONLY)

  • Fireplace or wood stove

  • Sterno canned heat

  • Solar oven

NEVER use indoors:

  • Gas grills

  • Charcoal grills

  • Generators

(Carbon monoxide poisoning kills)

No-cook meal ideas:

  • Peanut butter and crackers

  • Tuna straight from can

  • Granola with shelf-stable milk

  • Trail mix and dried fruit

  • Protein bars

  • Canned fruit

  • Crackers and cheese (from can)

Tools you need:

  • Manual can opener (critical!)

  • Camping mess kit or paper plates

  • Plastic utensils or regular silverware

  • Sharp knife

  • Bottle opener

Special Dietary Needs

For babies:

  • Formula (if not breastfeeding) - 3+ days

  • Baby food and snacks

  • Bottles and nipples

For medical conditions:

  • Diabetic: extra blood sugar monitoring supplies, sugar sources

  • Gluten-free: GF crackers, pasta, granola bars

  • Vegetarian/vegan: plant-based proteins, beans

  • Food allergies: nut-free, dairy-free options clearly labeled

Resources

  • FEMA Food Storage: https://www.ready.gov/food

  • USDA Food Storage Guidelines: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/emergency-food-safety

Building Your 3 Day Home Emergency Kit