In an emergency situation, you might not have enough time to buy and store food. Plan ahead to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Make a list of the food, medicine and water that you and your family will need. Store it in a safe, accessible location. Avoid foods that spoil quickly, such as perishable dairy products, fruits or vegetables. Replace foods after their expiration dates pass.
Survival Food to Store in a Pantry
The University of Missouri recommends creating a survival food pantry for emergency situations. Choose a dark, dry location to store the food. Fill it with nonperishables, such as canned foods, crackers, cereal, bottled juice and any other foods that will last a long time in storage. The University of Missouri also recommends peanut butter, dried fruits, shelf-stable cheeses, powdered milk and dried meat. Don't forget to include a can opener and any utensils you need to eat the food. The university also suggests storing enough water so that each person can have 6 gallons of water per week.
Survival Food in the Wild
If you are in a remote area without food, you need to find some before you weaken and die. Before traveling to a region, be able to identify common plants, animals and insects that you can use as survival food. Ask local authorities for specific advice on what regional items are edible. For example, Arizona's Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) offers a survival guide for nearby desert regions. The DEM warns that although there are no hard-and-fast rules that apply to every region, in general, people should avoid red beans and plants that have milky sap. The department suggests boiling questionable plants and then testing a small amount by holding it in your mouth. If it burns or tastes bad, spit it out and find another food source.
Survival Food to Carry With You
Create a portable survival food kit before taking a trip. Avoid foods that require preparation or cooking. Small, nonperishable items that provide a healthy dose of energy are best. For example, choose lightweight foods that have high nutritional value, such as dried fruits, granola bars, protein bars, nuts, crackers and canned juices. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says to avoid salty foods, which might dehydrate you. If you have young children, pack foods suitable for them, such as jars of baby food or bottles of formula. Finally, pack some vitamins to maintain proper nutrition.
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