The Best Survival Food Kits That a Nutritionist Recommends

What to Look for in a Survival Food Kit

Serving Size

One of the most important things to look for in a survival food kit is the serving size, since you need to make sure you have enough food for yourself and anyone else you’re trying to feed. Elizabeth Andress, Ph.D. and Judy Harrison, Ph.D., professors and extension food safety specialists at The University of Georgia, say that a three-day survival kit will be sufficient for most disasters, but if you’re in an area where you know power gets cut off for an extended period of time, a two-week supply is more reasonable. Whichever you choose, “plan food supplies so at least one well-balanced meal could be eaten each day,” they say.

Keep in mind that the serving size is not always equivalent to the number of meals in the kit. For example, a three-day kit that’s meant for one person may have 18 servings, but only nine meals. This is intentional, as you often have higher calorie and protein needs in survival situations.

Shelf Life

Another thing to consider is shelf life. Most food kits that are designated for survival have a 20- to 30-year shelf life, but make sure you’re double checking. Freeze-dried food has the longest shelf life, while canned and vacuum-sealed foods won’t last as long. You can still stock up on these items separately, but you’ll have to monitor expiration dates and swap them out with new food when appropriate.

Preparation Method

Preparation method is of utmost importance, as well, since you need to be able to actually eat the food if you have no power or water supply. Most food kits call only for the addition of water to freeze-dried meals, but some kits require boiling water, while others work with room-temperature water. If you have a camping stove and plenty of gas, you can get away with boiling water if your power is out, but if you don’t, you’ll have to opt for the easiest preparation methods instead. 

In any case, Ready, a National public service campaign dedicated to disaster, says you can use alternative cooking sources, like candles, chafing dishes, fondue pots, and/or a fireplace to heat water in times of emergency. So, at the very last, make sure you have a lot of extra water on hand.

FAQs

How much food do you need?

The American Red Cross recommends that you have a three-day supply for potential evacuation situations and a two-week supply for home use. In other words, for situations where you might be stuck at home with no power or other similar emergency situations, you should have enough food to feed everyone in your household three meals per day for two weeks. If you have to evacuate due to a natural disaster or something similar, you should have enough food to take with you on the road to feed each person three meals a day for three days.

What foods have the longest shelf life?

Most survival food kits are made with dehydrated foods and/or freeze-dried foods, which have the longest shelf life. These types of foods can last 20 to 30 years if sealed and stored properly. According to the USDA, not all canned foods are considered shelf-stable. The ones that are typically have a shelf life of one to two years, so while the canned foods you have in your pantry can certainly help in an emergency situation, you shouldn’t store them in a food survival kit.

How do you store survival food?

Most survival food kits come in sealed pouches that have oxygen absorbers to increase their shelf life, but it’s still important to protect them from the elements: excess heat, moisture, air, and light. The exact storage instructions may differ based on which kit you purchase (make sure to read storage directions carefully), but Augason Farms, one of the top survival food kit companies, recommends storing your survival food kit in a cool, dry, dark place that stays between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenhait. That means keeping your kit out of the basement and/or the attic, unless these areas are temperature- and humidity-regulated.

What else do you need?

In addition to food, Andress and Harrison recommend including water, personal hygiene items, flashlights, blankets, and other essentials, like a first aid kit and backup medications, in any survival kit.

It’s also important to make sure you have everything you need to prepare and eat your food, like scissors or a knife for cutting open pouches, disposable utensils, and a grill or camping stove if the food you have requires cooking. Most food survival kits include dehydrated food that you need to add boiling water to. Because of this, it’s wise to have extra water and a pot for boiling on hand, as well.

The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person in your household per day for three days in your household. A two-week supply is even better, if possible, and keep in mind that sick or pregnant people will require more, as will those in hotter climates.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Lindsay Boyers is a certified functional nutritionist with an extensive background in nutrition science and recipe development. With more than 12 years of experience in research, including deciphering research, she’s able to provide qualified recommendations for various products, from survival food kits to gluten-free pastas.