In 2020, emergency food suppliers experienced high demand as individuals rapidly stocked their pantries with long-lasting food supplies. Since then, concerns regarding international conflicts, disruptions in the global supply chain, and inflation continue to remain prominent.
More people than ever are seeing the wisdom in having an emergency food supply, and some suppliers have reacted to the high demand by changing their recipes, package sizes, and offerings, some for the better and some not.
Emergency food suppliers understand that they are operating in a sellers market due to the continued high demand for emergency food in 2023.
At present, in the year 2023, the world remains unpredictable, with ongoing concerns relating to international conflicts, the global supply chain, and inflation. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals comprehend the prudence of possessing an emergency food reserve.
Additionally, the market was joined by new suppliers of emergency food to cater to the constantly growing demand.
Several emergency food suppliers demonstrated their commitment by increasing production and introducing new high-quality products. However, there were also some who took shortcuts and downsized packaging, instead focusing on low-nutrient foods with high starch content that are more cost-effective but still carry a hefty price tag.
I have sampled food from all emergency food companies, both prior to and following the major changes that occurred in 2020. I will assist you in storing food from companies that continue to consistently produce top-quality products at a fair price.
Products We Recommend
ReadyWise 124-Serving Ultimate Preparedness Pack
ReadyWise has a reputation for providing excellent food supply kits for survival, backpacking, and emergencies. Their flagship product, the Ultimate Preparedness Pack, offers 124 servings of a well-balanced assortment of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. What sets this kit apart from other kits designed for families is the addition of drinks and desserts, which are a pleasant surprise. This ready-to-go pail contains a variety of meals, ranging from pasta alfredo to apple cinnamon cereal to vanilla pudding. Additionally, some of these meals can be eaten straight out of the pail without any preparation needed.
Freeze-dried “emergency” food has a reputation for not being the most delicious. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the meals in this kit, particularly the Creamy Pasta & Vegetable and Savory Stroganoff, were actually quite tasty. In fact, they surpassed many of the other options we have tested.
The only issue we have is that some meal instructions are vague or missing, so we had to experiment to figure out how to prepare them. It’s important to mention that out of the claimed servings, 32 are beverages, so a family of four may need to purchase two of these. While there are cheaper choices available, this one is still reasonably priced at under $100.
Augason Farms Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail
Priced at under $100 (approximately $75 when on sale), the Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail from Augason Farms provides a satisfactory assortment of both lunch and dinner options. This kit, which contains 92 servings, can keep one person well-fed for an extended period or sustain a family of four for approximately one week. It includes a diverse selection of delectable soups and pasta dishes, along with additional servings of chocolate pudding as a bonus.
In our opinion, the taste was okay. We enjoyed almost everything—the mac and cheese and fettucine alfredo were satisfying comfort food. However, our testers thought everything lacked flavor and needed at least some salt to enhance the taste.
Like most emergency food kits, the servings in this bucket are not individually wrapped. This means that you will need to prepare large batches at once and figure out how to store any leftovers. Unlike certain other emergency food supplies, every meal in this bucket needs boiling water and a continuous source of heat for cooking. Additionally, each meal requires a minimum of 15 minutes of stirring. While this is not an issue when you have functioning appliances, it may be impractical in a genuine survival scenario.
Our choice for the most cost-effective emergency food supply kit is still a large pail containing over 20,000 calories of food, exclusively derived from food items and excluding beverages.
Mountain House Just in Case 3-Day Emergency Food Supply
The Mountain House Just in Case kit contains 18 total servings of food, all packaged in two-serving pouches. This is enough to provide three breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for two people for a period of 72 hours. We have been purchasing Mountain House backpacker meals for our camping trips for many years, primarily because of the brand’s delicious dehydrated meals. This emergency supply kit follows the same trend, as our testers discovered that each meal in this kit is both tasty and satisfying with a pleasing texture.
Although it may cost more than other similar food kits, with a price of over five dollars per serving, we believe it is worth the expense solely because of its quality, especially if you are willing to spend a little extra on superior food for yourself and your significant other.
In terms of a small issue, the kit does not include a carrying case or pail. Therefore, you will have to arrange for your own backpack or waterproof pail to make it suitable for your emergency “bug-out” kit.
Emergency Gear
In uncertain times, it’s essential to take multiple factors into consideration, not just packing an emergency food supply as a first line of defense. In addition to food, it is advisable to plan for providing water, energy, medicine, and security for your family.
Water
In order to plan for the future, it is important to consider filtration. The ideal option for both tap water currently and river/stream/lake water in emergency situations is a Berkey filter.
Sanitation
After ensuring your food and water needs are met, the next thing to consider is the use of a pedal-powered off-grid washing machine. For waste management, I suggest opting for a composting toilet. If you are seeking a cost-effective solution, a bucket camping toilet can also suffice and it is available at a very low price, merely a few dollars.
Energy
We make sure to have a Jackery portable power bank available as a backup option, and it proves to be incredibly useful in situations when there is a power outage. It not only provides a fast charging solution for various devices but also allows us to operate appliances, prepare meals, and stay connected with the outside world. When the power grid is functioning, we can charge the power bank and keep it stored for future use. However, in times when the grid is down, we can recharge it using the included portable solar panels.
When it comes to cooking without electricity, it is advisable to purchase a jet boil camping stove and a few fuel canisters for immediate use. For extended periods without power, Biolite offers a camp stove that can utilize various sticks and twigs found in the yard as fuel, while also producing electricity from the heat generated during cooking.
Medicine
If you do not already have a first aid kit, it is wise to acquire one now. Whether it is a compact kit for daily use, an emergency kit for your vehicle, or a comprehensive medical backpack for outdoor adventures, having one is crucial. Purchasing antiseptic in advance is inexpensive and can make a significant difference in saving lives.
In addition to first aid, it is crucial to possess basic medications. Antibiotics now effectively prevent most of the causes of death that existed a century ago, but what if accessing the emergency room is not possible? A company offers the solution by providing pre-emptive prescription of emergency antibiotics. Each kit consists of a complete treatment of the five most prevalent types of antibiotics and a guidebook detailing their usage.
