It’s a good idea to build an emergency food supply that you can grab and go in times of disaster, whether it’s fire, flood, or earthquake. Learn how to make emergency food supply in this guide, which comes with an emergency food supply list and disaster food planning tips.
The Los Angeles fires are a perfect example of times that call for an emergency food supply, ready to go in times of disaster. As a resident of Southern California, I watched a big portion of the city go up in flames in the recent fire, which made me revisit my emergency food supply in my garage. Though I was fortunate enough to avoid getting evacuated during this particular fire, I have been on the evacuation list in the past when a wildfire raged behind our home in Bradbury, a small community in Los Angeles. We got that terrifying alert on our phones, which told us to leave immediately. This wasn’t the first time we’ve been threatened by fires. We were on disaster mode at our home in Pasadena 30 years ago, when embers from the hills which were blazing with fire landed on house roofs on our street. We stood on the roof of our home with a hose putting out those embers, and survived that fire. Sadly, that neighborhood in Pasadena is gone now, having been consumed by the flames of the Eaton fire. These disasters highlight how important it is to be prepared. When you get that alert to vacate your home, you need to be prepared and get out as quickly as possible—in just a couple of minutes. What emergency food supplies should you have on hand? And how do you prepare for a disaster?
How to Make Emergency Food Supply
My job as a food service director at a hospital in Pasadena for nine years required me to create a disaster food plan for the hospital, which was actually used a few times during emergencies. The basement of the hospital was flooded once, so we got into our disaster food supply to feed the patients. And we even had to evacuate our hospital during a wildfire. You may wonder, why would I need a disaster food plan? Wouldn’t I get help in a disaster? While there are amazing resources in many communities, such as the Red Cross, sometimes an emergency can create scenarios in which it can take time to get help. You may have a loss of clean water, power to cook foods, and access to your kitchen during disasters. You may have to hop in your car and drive away from major freeways to isolated areas. Here are a few tips on how to create an emergency food plan for your own home and family. Keep in mind that there are many food emergency food kits you can purchase online. However, you may want to individualize your disaster food kit to meet your own food preferences and needs.
Tips for Creating a Disaster Food Plan
- Consider how many people or animals you need to cover in your disaster food plan. For example, do you have infants who need formula or baby food? Do you have an elder in your home who has difficulty chewing? Do you have pets that require special food? Does anyone have a medical condition, such as diabetes, that requires special needs? Make sure your plan addresses all these factors.
- Plan on three days of food in your emergency food kit to ensure there’s enough to cover emergencies.
- Write out your disaster food plan so that it’s clear and accessible, including a list of foods and supplies and quantity. Protect the disaster food plan in a plastic sheet protector and place it in your disaster food kit.
- Find a sturdy storage container to store your disaster food supplies. Hard plastic tubs with tight fitting lids are a good option. Containers that are not easily crushed, and can withstand water are ideal.
- Plan on an emergency water supply, which can be stored separately and adjacent to your emergency food kit. Store emergency water by the case that would cover your household for three days, factoring in each person should have one gallon per day.
- Locate a place to store your emergency food supply. Locate a spot in your home that is easy to locate and close to an exit to store your emergency food supply container. Consider that you want access to your supply that doesn’t require electricity. Though many electric garage doors have manual access, it’s critical to have easy access to your emergency food supply.
- Grab and go your emergency food supply in time of evacuation by placing it in your car when you have to flee, or using it in your home if you lack access to preparing food.
- Inventory and rotate your emergency food supply each year. Mark on your calendar to do an annual rotation of your emergency food supply. At the beginning of the year can be a good time. Using your disaster food list, purchase all new foods and beverages, and rotate your older supply into your home pantry to use up.
Emergency Food Supply List
Here’s a list of items that should be in your emergency food supply. Keep in mind that you should also have an emergency kit that includes other important tools, such as flashlights, batteries, radios, maps, blankets, sturdy shoes, and cash. There may be some overlap with your emergency food supply and your disaster kit. However, it may be advantageous to create a separate food supply that is sealed and separate to reduce contamination.
Emergency Foods
Plan for foods that are shelf stable, require no heating or cooking, and are nutritious—providing protein, carbs, and fats, such as the following:
- Canned beans (i.e., chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans)
- Canned soups or chili (if heat is not available, you can eat it cold)
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Crackers (in sealed boxes, such as saltines or whole grain crackers)
- Oatmeal packets (can be soaked in liquid if heat is not available)
- Shelf-stable soymilk
- Nutrition bars
- Nuts or seeds (i.e., peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds)
- Nut or seed butter (i.e., peanut butter, almond butter)
- Dried fruits (i.e., raisins, prunes, cranberries)
- Dehydrated foods (i.e., freeze-dried meals, fruits, vegetables)
- Protein powder or shake meal replacements (i.e., Orgain or Vega powders that can be mixed with water
- Comfort foods (i.e., snacks or cookies in sealed bags)
- If applicable, Infant formula or foods
- If applicable, canned or dry pet food
Emergency Supplies
- Can opener
- Disposable cutlery (spoons, knives forks)
- Disposable plates
- Disposable cups
- Trash bags
Emergency Water
- Bottled water (gallons can be a good option) to last for three days (1 gallon per person)
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