How to Prepare a List of Disaster Foods
No one likes to dwell on the possibility of a disaster striking, but the fact is that it can happen at any time. Whether that disaster might be a natural calamity such as a tornado, flood, earthquake or ice storm, or a civil disturbance such as warfare, you may someday face an emergency that prevents you from easily reaching a supermarket. Consequently, preparing and storing a supply of emergency food is a prudent precaution. To make sure you will have what you need on hand, you need to make a list of what might be needed before building up your emergency stock. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Take a head count of how many would be with you in the event of a disaster. While it is natural to include your spouse and children, you may also want to consider the possibility of close neighbors or other family members joining you. Account for others such as parents and grandparents that may come to your home to ride out a storm or disaster.
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Look at your list of people, and note whether any have special dietary needs. For example, if there are infants on the list, they will need a supply of baby food or infant formula. Diabetics, or those with low blood sugar, may also have special dietary needs. If you have young children, a supply of "comfort" foods such as lollipops, cookies or fruit snacks may make them feel more at home in a stressful situation.
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Take note of pets under your care, as they will need to be fed as well.
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Make a list of foods based on the information you've gathered, and make sure it includes enough food per person for a minimum of three days. When you are listing which foods to purchase for your disaster kit, include only those that have a long shelf life and are nonperishable. For example, canned foods that will not need to be cooked are good choices, and crackers or crisp breads are a much better choice than fresh bread, since fresh bread can't be stored for very long.
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Don't forget water when making your list. Store enough water to equal one gallon, per person, per day. If you have six people on your list, you will want to store a minimum of 18 gallons of water for a possible three-day event. If you have pets, especially large ones, you need to include a gallon of water per day for them as well. Naturally, small pets such as cats will not need a gallon per day.
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Tips & Warnings
When packing your disaster food, store it in a sealed plastic tote. This will keep moisture--as well as rodents and squirrels--out of your food.
Don't forget the can opener. During a disaster there is a good chance that you will not have access to electricity. You may also want to pack disposable plates and eating utensils.
While not a food item, make sure medical prescriptions are filled at all times, so no one runs out during a disaster.
