Prepare with Food

During the early response period following a major disaster, only those who have prepared an emergency food supply will have the certainty of food.  

Snacks are best used as treats, not the entire emergency diet, but they are vital supplies in your kit and will sustain you and provide basic energy: Granola, protein bars, nuts, chips, preserved cheese spread, peanut butter, cookies, crackers and little restaurant size packets of honey, jam/jelly. More substantial emergency food boosts morale/comfort and provides more stamina.  

Food Suggestions: General suggestions that don’t require cooking: Some canned meats, pickled beets, fermented foods, pouch and mylar-packaged food, preserved vegetable cups, fruit/pudding cups, dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit/veggies/meats, dry cereal and dried milk (some brands taste better than others), powdered peanut butter. 

There are advantages and draw-backs to each type of food. Include packets of spices; salt is important but it does increase desire/need for water. If your food supply includes canned goods, a manual or battery operated can opener is a must. If you want heated food, you will need a cooking source and pan. A single burner, lightweight butane stove is marvelous, inexpensive source for cooking (and heat for a small area), along with a package of butane canisters.  (Recreation Outlet)

If you are accustomed to vitamins and mineral supplements, create some packets in small zip bags.  Some companies also sell pre-packaged supplements. A sprouting tray along with fast sprouting seeds could provide some nutrition.  However, don’t get overly focused on nutrition.  In a disaster situation you are primarily wanting to quell hunger and create energy.

For a single person or couple, smaller can sizes make sense. With no refrigeration, most food items, once opened, need to be consumed, not saved. 

MESS GEAR: Don’t neglect mess supplies. Water will be too scarc

e to wash dishes and it is more sanitary to dispose of all eating supplies after use. Wash your hands often in a gathering situation, especially before eating.

Mess Gear Suggestions: Paper plates, bowls, cups, plastic utensils, napkins/paper towels, plenty of zip-lock bags, wipes, etc., One of my favorite products is EZ Towel, a thick clothe wafer about the size of a large mint that you hydrate with a tiny bit of water into a handiwipe-type of small towel.