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Emergency food: what to stock

Stock food that keeps without a fridge and needs little or no cooking, and that your family already likes.

Sources read Oct 30, 2026.

🥫 Shop the two-week pantryAmounts for your group, Amazon links, and a list you can save.

What to stock

  • Ready-to-eat canned meat, fruit and vegetables, and a manual can opener.
  • Protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter and dried fruit.
  • Canned juice and shelf-stable milk.
  • High-energy foods, comfort foods, and food for babies and anyone on a special diet.
  • Choose foods your household will actually eat.

From Ready.gov: Food.

How much

  • Ready.gov says at least several days. The Red Cross suggests 2 weeks at home.
  • The pantry kit works out amounts for your group and length.

From Ready.gov: Food and American Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies.

Storing it

  • Keep cans somewhere cool and dry, and boxed food in closed plastic or metal containers.
  • Don't use cans that are swollen, dented or corroded.
  • Replace anything past its date.

From Ready.gov: Build a Kit and Ready.gov: Food.

How to choose

  • Put new cans at the back and use from the front, so nothing expires unseen.
  • Small cans and single servings mean fewer leftovers with no fridge.

Our tips.

Eating without power

  • Canned food can be eaten straight from the can.
  • Grills and camp stoves are for outdoor use only.
  • Babies: ready-to-feed formula is easiest. If you must mix it, use bottled or boiled water.

From Ready.gov: Food.

After an outage

  • Food in the fridge is usually safe if the power was out 4 hours or less.
  • Throw out meat, fish, eggs and leftovers that were above 40°F for 2 hours or more, and anything that touched floodwater.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.

From Ready.gov: Food.

Sources

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General preparedness information, not professional or medical advice. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.