Like we all have learned in recent years, emergencies happen. Some of us have also had a rude awakening that we need to be better prepared in case of an emergency – be it (another) epidemic, natural disaster or local conflict. One of the best ways to stay prepared is to stock up on emergency supplies.
The best emergency food supplies save you from having to store your own supply of canned or dried food. The best emergency food supply kits usually come in the form of a bucket full of individually wrapped meals that can be cooked easily and quickly. This means no searching for individual items, better tasting emergency food, and less work if you need to prepare anything in an emergency. Plus, the simplified packaging of survival rations means you can easily store them in a car, closet, or garage.
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However, picking up an emergency food supply doesn’t have to be catastrophic. Because they offer high-calorie meals in a compact, easy-to-cook package, emergency food supplies are also great choices for long camping trips, hiking, and other similar adventures.
Emergency Food Supply Buying Guide
No matter how you plan to use your emergency rations, we’ve got you covered. Below is a quick guide to finding the best emergency food supply, along with six of our top picks to stock up on right now.
The duration of the conversation: Ideally, emergency food stays on the shelf until it spoils. But, depending on the supply you choose, they may need replacing sooner rather than later. The shelf life differs a bit, with emergency foods lasting anywhere from five to 30 years. Some brands also guarantee a certain shelf life while others give a range. The latter is obviously preferred.
Servings: The number of servings in an emergency food supply is especially important if you are feeding an entire family. Of course, more is usually better, but it also means the food will take up more space during storage.
Preparation: The best emergency food supplies have meals that can be prepared quickly and easily. Be sure to check how each meal is prepared and what other amenities are needed (usually just hot water).
Nutrition: Calories are what is needed in emergency scenarios. Look at the total number of calories in the food kit, as well as the number of calories in each individual meal (this should be around 200-300 calories per meal). Also check the nutritional information for each meal in the kit; some skimp on nutrients like protein or vitamins.
To taste: Even though nutrition is the primary concern in an emergency, food still needs to taste good. Emergency food supplies have come a long way in recent years with tastier meals, so kits with great flavors are worth seeking out.
What is the best emergency food supply?
You don’t have to be in an emergency to stock up on emergency supplies. Get these items online now and store them in your pantry, closet or car to be prepared in case the unthinkable happens.
1. Mountain House Classic Bucket
Editor’s Choice
Mountain House is one of the best emergency food supply brands on the market, offering nutritious freeze-dried foods in easy-to-store buckets. One of the hallmarks of the brand is a guaranteed 30-year shelf life, allowing you to put the bucket aside for decades without worry. This classic bucket, weighing just 5.7 pounds, has 24 servings and five meal varieties such as chicken fried rice and beef stroganoff. These meals are also packed with nutrients, including protein, iron, and potassium. To prepare a meal, fill the bowl-shaped package with hot water and wait ten minutes – that’s it.
Buy: Mountain House Classic Bucket $169.99
2. ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply
best for families
If you’re stocking up on an emergency supply for a large family (or just want to be more prepared), check out this bucket from ReadyWise. It contains 120 servings of freeze-dried meals and packs it all into a bucket that weighs just under 20 pounds. With a 25-year shelf life, you won’t need to restock anytime soon. ReadyWise also includes an abundant lineup of 13 meals ranging from lasagna and tortilla soup to teriyaki and rice. These all offer fairly well-balanced nutrients without any trans fats. To prepare meals, simply add hot water and wait 12-15 minutes.
Buy: ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply $199.99
3. Survive2Thrive Biological Emergency Food Kit
best biological emergency food supply
Even in an emergency scenario, it’s worth staying vigilant about what you’re consuming. That’s why we recommend this certified organic emergency food supply from Survive2Thrive. One Food Supply offers a wide variety of individually vacuum sealed foods that combine for 40 days of food. Instead of ready meals, the Survive2Thrive offering contains highly nutritious individual ingredients such as beans, oats, quinoa, rice and pancake mix. The container weighs 36 pounds, which is slightly more than the others, but a necessary sacrifice for healthy, organic food.
Buy: Survive2Thrive Organic Emergency Food Kit $299.99
4. Mountain House Essential Bucket (Gluten Free)
best gluten free emergency food supply
Whether you’re celiac or gluten-free by choice, there’s no need to break your diet in an emergency. This Mountain House Gluten-Free Essential Bucket includes four varieties of meals such as rice and chicken and scrambled eggs with bacon, all prepared without any wheat, barley or rye ingredients. You get a total of 22 servings, which is about enough to feed one (good-hearted) person for four days. Like all Mountain House survival food supplies, the Gluten-Free Bucket has a guaranteed 30-year shelf life.
Buy: Mountain House Essential Bucket (Gluten Free) $179.15
5. Augason Farms Assorted Bucket Emergency Food Supply
best value emergency food supply
Augason Farms is a family owned business operating in Salt Lake City since 1972, and their products are still some of the best emergency food supply kits on the market. This four-gallon bucket packs 92 servings and 21,170 calories in a portable, easy-to-store package. Inside, you’ll find 11 varieties of meals, including appetizers, soups, and even a chocolate pudding dessert. Augason Farms bucket shelf life is 10-25 years depending on how well it is stored: ideal conditions are 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit and 15% humidity.
Buy: Augason Farms Variety Pail Emergency Food Supply $75.07
6. 4Pariots Emergency Food Supply
best 72 hour emergency food supply
If you’re looking for something a little smaller (say, just for one person), this 4Patriots emergency food supply is a great choice. The compact 2.2-pound bag contains 16 servings totaling 3,760 calories, which is about enough for one person to survive for three days. Although it’s small, you still have three meal options: mac and cheese, oatmeal, and a creamy rice and veggie dinner. Each meal contains over 200 calories and a solid serving of nutrients. The bag has a 25-year shelf life, so you can store it in the pantry or closet for decades without worry.
Buy: 4Pariots Emergency Food Supply $29.00
7. SOS Rations Emergency Food Bar
best emergency food bars
These emergency bars from SOS Rations are a great utility choice. The package contains nine fortified food bars for a total of 3,600 calories. They require no preparation and provide fast, easy-to-carry energy. This makes SOS Bars ideal for taking on hikes, supplementing a larger emergency food supply, or storing in your car or boat. The shelf life is five years, but, unlike the options above, this rating is for “climatic conditions”. This means that the bars will survive for five years in harsh weather conditions and perhaps a bit longer in ideal storage conditions.
Buy: SOS Rations Emergency Food Bar $18.53
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