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Emergency Food

Plan for food you can eat without cooking, plus long shelf life meals that only need hot water. Build up in stages: 3 days, then 2 weeks, then 90 days or more.

Updated November 1, 2026

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72 HoursTop Pick

Augason Farms 72 Hour 4 Person Emergency Food Kit

Sixteen pouches with seven food varieties for a family of four for three days, with a long shelf life.

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72 Hours

72 Hour Survival Food Kit for 1 Person

Twenty easy to prepare servings designed to last up to 25 years. A simple one person starter.

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2 WeeksTop Pick

ReadyWise 30 Day Emergency Food Supply

Nearly 300 servings in two stackable buckets with eleven meal options.

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2 Weeks

NuManna USDA Organic Family Food Pack

Organic, non GMO meals in separate rations with a 25 year shelf life.

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2 WeeksTop Pick

Mountain House Classic Freeze Dried Meal Bucket

Popular, great tasting freeze dried entrees. Just add hot water.

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90 DaysLong Term Supply

1 Year Emergency Food Supply

A full year of long shelf life meals for one adult. The biggest single step in food security.

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90 DaysLong Term Supply

3 Month Emergency Food Supply

A 90 day food reserve in stackable buckets. Covers long outages and supply disruptions.

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90 Days

Valley Food Storage Long Term Food Kit

Simple ingredient meals with a 25 year shelf life.

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90 Days

Legacy Food Storage Variety Bucket

High calorie meal variety packed in mylar and buckets.

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72 Hours

Datrex Emergency Ration Bars

Coast Guard style ration bars. No cooking, no water needed, long shelf life.

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72 Hours

SOS Food Lab Emergency Ration Bars

Compact 3,600 calorie bars made for kits and vehicles.

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2 Weeks

MRE Meals Ready to Eat Case

Full meals with flameless heaters. Eat them hot with no stove.

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90 Days

Augason Farms Long Term Food Storage Bucket

Budget friendly bucket of staples and meals for deep storage.

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2 Weeks

Nutrient Survival Vitamin Powdered Milk

Freeze dried milk with essential nutrients and a long shelf life.

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90 Days

Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Bucket

Adds vitamins and something sweet to your food plan.

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2 Weeks

Long Shelf Life Instant Coffee

Small comforts matter in a hard week. Shelf stable coffee for storage.

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2 Weeks

Canned Chicken Breast Multipack

Ready to eat protein from the pantry. Easy to rotate into regular meals.

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90 Days

Bulk White Rice and Beans Storage Kit

The classic low cost base for a long term pantry.

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90 DaysLong Term Supply

Freeze Dried Meat Variety Bucket

Protein is the hardest food to store. This solves it for years.

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2 Weeks

Powdered Peanut Butter

Protein packed and shelf stable.

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90 Days

Raw Honey Bulk Jar

Honey stores almost indefinitely and adds calories and comfort.

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72 Hours

Electrolyte Drink Powder

Helps with heat, illness and hard work when water is limited.

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2 Weeks

Emergency Baby Formula Supply

Store extra formula if you have an infant. Rotate by date.

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90 Days

Dehydrated Vegetable Variety Bucket

Vegetables for soups and meals with a long shelf life.

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What to look for

  1. Look at calories per day, not just servings. Adults need roughly 1,800 to 2,400 calories a day.
  2. Freeze dried meals last up to 25 years and taste best, but need water to prepare.
  3. Ration bars need no water or cooking, which makes them perfect for go bags.
  4. Buy food your family will actually eat, and include comfort foods for kids.
  5. Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Heat shortens shelf life.
Related guide

Two Week Emergency Supply Kit

The Red Cross shelter at home standard, and the sweet spot for most families.

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Common questions

How much emergency food should I store?

FEMA recommends at least a 3 day supply of nonperishable food per person. The Red Cross suggests 2 weeks for sheltering at home. Many families then build toward 90 days.

What is the longest lasting emergency food?

Freeze dried meals and properly packed staples like rice, beans and wheat in sealed buckets can last 20 to 30 years when stored cool and dry.

Do I need to cook emergency food?

Ration bars, canned goods and MREs can be eaten without cooking. Freeze dried meals need hot water, so pair them with a camp stove and fuel.