Here’s Why You Need Survival Food Kits

“Doomsday prophets.”

That’s what they called those of us who took our preparedness seriously. They pictured us wearing tinfoil hats. They thought we were alarmists. They said it like it was a joke. But recently, no one has been laughing… Looks like we showed them wrong. As the Covid pandemic proved…as extreme weather and natural disasters increase… as wars overseas affect the supply chain… as attacks on the grid ramp up… millions are finally jumping on board the good ship — preparedness.

And with this being a presidential election year in a deeply divided country, we need to be ready for even more upheaval.

Our government, which used to try to convince us they could handle emergencies, is now practically begging people to prepare for emergencies. FEMA realizes they can’t handle every crisis. Not even close.

Start now and focus on variety

There are many things we can do to prepare for rough times ahead. But none is more important than putting together a hefty supply of survival food. And the time to start is now. Not when an emergency results in empty grocery store shelves.

You need a wide variety of food in your stash. That’s what will provide you with the different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you’ll require to survive the next crisis. Variety will also help prevent appetite fatigue.

Of course, when it comes to survival food, non-perishable is the key. You need shelf-stable food that will be ready for you when you are ready for it. That could be next month or years from now.

And, you need food that is not dependent upon electrical power. Blackouts are the common denominator when it comes to a crisis.

Aim for freeze-dried foods

So, what are some of the food items you should stockpile to become food independent and ready for an emergency? Here are a few of them:

• Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Long shelf life and low moisture content. They can be reconstituted quickly and generally keep their texture, color, shape, and taste.
• Freeze-dried meat, such as chicken and beef. Same type of shelf life and low moisture content as fruits and vegetables. But with more much-needed protein.
• Bottled water. This water is seldom as “pure” as manufacturers want you to think with their colorful labels. But you can never have too much water on hand. Even more important, get a water purifier.

Now, if you had to stop here, you’d have what you need to survive. But there are plenty of other food items you could add to your stockpile. Including…

• Peanut butter, which provides energy, protein, and healthy fats. Eat it right out of the jar or spread it on healthy crackers.
• Nuts, including walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, and pecans.
• Seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, chia, and flaxseeds.
• Granola bars, which supply much-needed carbohydrates. Just make sure they don’t contain much sugar.
• Pasta. It’s high in carbohydrates and can be used in a variety of ways with different foods.
• Whole grains store well and are great for making bread, pancakes, and baked goods.
• Whole grain rice is another good source of carbs. Goes with just about any meal.
• Dried beans say good for a long time. Lots of protein, especially for a non-meat source.
• Powdered milk is a good source of Vitamin D and calcium. It will supply some of your dairy needs. Can be used for baking.
• Canned foods are heavy and require a lot of storage space. Some contain high levels of sodium. But they offer a wide variety of foods, most of which are generally nutritious. They come in handy when you’re hunkering down.    

Keep your survival food safe

Compiling all that food is a lot of work. Many people prefer to purchase ready-made survival food kits. But you do you.

Either way, you could put together a great supply of survival food. But it would be useless if not stored properly. Here are 5 tips to keep your survival food good until you’re ready to use it:

• Air and moisture will decrease the shelf life of stored food. So, only use airtight containers. Mylar pouches are one of the best storage methods for protecting your survival food.
• Keep your food containers in a dry, cool, dark place. Heat and light are among stored food’s worst enemies.
• Include at least a small percentage of “comfort” foods. In addition to satisfying your sweet tooth, comfort foods will give you and your family a big psychological lift in a crisis.
• Regularly check expiration dates and rotate stored foods. In each container, organize food by expiration date. When an item’s expiration date is approaching, eat that food – or donate it to a shelter – and replace it with newer food.
• Keep your food stockpile discreet. Advertising to others that you have a stash of survival food could make you a target when a crisis hits. Keep your preparations on the down low.

How much is enough?

FEMA suggests having at least 72 hours’ worth of non-perishable food available for an emergency.

Considering that extreme weather and other crises frequently last a lot longer than that, I’d say a month’s worth for each individual in your household should be a minimum.

Start slowly and build up your supply. Keep at it and pretty soon you’ll have enough survival food to last three months. Many people don’t stop until they have at least a year’s worth.

Regardless of how much you stockpile, make sure it is easy to prepare and has a long shelf life. Survival food kits that last up to 25 years are ideal. And when you’re ready to eat it, just heat it, stir it, serve it, and savor it.

Planning ahead will remove all the guesswork for you if disaster strikes. So, get started today.