How to Prepare an Emergency Food Supply | Stocking for What Comes Next

Building an emergency food supply for your household is a straightforward weekend project—once you know the basic targets, what to buy, and how to store it properly. This guide covers the standard U.S. guidance for family kits, using the most common numbers so you can shop with confidence and keep your family fed when the power goes out or a storm keeps you home.

How Much Food Should You Store Per Person?

The standard target for a U.S. household is **at least 3 days’ worth** of non-perishable food per person for an evacuation kit, and **up to 2 weeks** if you’re sheltering at home. This is the baseline that Ready.gov and the Red Cross both use for family preparedness.

For water, the rule is **1 gallon per person per day**—that covers drinking plus basic sanitation. Store more if you live in a hot climate, have pets, or have family members who are pregnant or nursing.

You don’t need to buy a pre-made bucket to meet this target. A simple supply built from grocery-store items works just as well, and you can rotate it into your normal meals so nothing goes to waste.

What Foods Belong in an Emergency Kit?

Choose foods that are non-perishable, require no refrigeration, and need little or no cooking. A manual can opener is the single most forgotten item—put one in the kit before you store a single can.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats like tuna, chicken, and ham
• Canned fruits and vegetables packed in juice or water
• Protein or fruit bars, granola, and dry cereal
• Peanut butter and other nut butters
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Canned juices and shelf-stable pasteurized milk
• Comfort foods like crackers, candy, or instant coffee
• Infant formula and baby food, if you have a child under two

Skip anything that requires refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation. Also plan for dietary needs: allergies, diabetes, or other medical conditions call for tailored choices, and anyone on medication should have at least a week’s supply alongside the food.

Storing and Rotating Your Emergency Food

Keep your food in a dry, cool, dark place, and always use covered containers to keep pests and moisture out. Tightly reseal opened packages, and protect sugar, dried fruit, and nuts in airtight containers—they’re the first to spoil in humidity.

The Red Cross recommends reviewing your supplies **every six months**. That means checking expiration dates, using the older items first, and replacing anything nearing its date. A habit as simple as marking “check in January and July” on your calendar keeps your stock fresh without any guesswork.

Before eating anything from your kit, inspect it for spoilage. Canned goods that are swollen, dented, or rusted go straight in the trash, as do any foods that look or smell off.

Keeping Food Safe During a Power Outage

When the power goes out, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can. An unopened refrigerator stays cold for about **4 hours**, but perishable food held above **40°F for 2 hours or more** should be thrown away.

Use the freezer first: a half-full freezer holds food for about **24 hours**, while a full freezer can manage **48 hours**.

This table summarizes the key cold-chain numbers so you know exactly when to toss or keep:

The easiest way to avoid waste is to check your stock, eat from it regularly, and build a habit of replacement. A working emergency supply is one you actually use and refresh, not one you hide in the garage and forget for a decade.

Once you’ve decided on your target supply, our top emergency food supply picks compare the best shelf-stable kits and bulk options worth your money.

FAQs

How long can you keep canned food in an emergency kit?

Most canned goods last 1 to 5 years, but that depends on the product and the storage conditions. Keep cans in a cool, dry, dark place, and check expiration dates twice a year to replace anything close to its date. Foods stored in a hot garage or humid basement will spoil faster, so choose a climate-controlled spot for best shelf life.

What foods should you avoid in an emergency supply?

Avoid anything that needs refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation, since you may lose power and can’t run appliances. Items like fresh meat, eggs, dairy, and frozen produce are also poor choices unless you have a working generator or a cold-weather plan. Stick with ready-to-eat canned goods, protein bars, and dried foods that you can open and eat immediately.

Do emergency food kits expire?

Yes—every packaged food has a shelf life, including pre-made emergency kits. Most commercial kits list a shelf life of 5 to 25 years depending on the brand and packaging method, but that’s only true when the kit is stored in a cool, dry place. Check the included expiration date on each kit and replace it well before that date.