Simple Emergency Food Supply List: For Beginners -

Stay prepared for emergencies with our practical guide: a complete 2-week emergency food supply list that covers all the essentials for a well-rounded and sustainable diet.

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In times of uncertainty and unforeseen circumstances, having a well-stocked emergency food supply can provide the peace of mind and security we all desire. Whether it’s a natural disaster, economic crisis, or any other situation that may disrupt our access to regular grocery stores, having a two-week emergency food supply becomes crucial. This comprehensive article aims to guide you through creating an effective and diverse list of essential items to ensure you and your loved ones have enough nourishment during challenging times. Below we have included a 2 week emergency food supply list printable. From non-perishable staples to nutritious options, we will explore the necessary components for building food for emergency survival that will keep you prepared and resilient in any crisis.

Emergency Food Prep

Do not let the process of being prepared overwhelm you. You can take the free shopping list I provide below to help you get an idea of some of the items you need to shop for. If you do not have any emergency foods set back then start small and start with a 1 week emergency food supply list instead of 2. After you get enough food for emergency storage for 1 week add a little more until you have enough for 2 weeks. At all times I like to have a 30-day emergency food supply. No matter how much food storage you have you won’t necessarily be adding more variety food (although you can) it is easier to stick with the same list of foods and just continue to expand from there. So your 30-day emergency food supply list is going to be the same as our 2-week list.

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Rotating Perishable Foods

When creating your 2 week food supply it is important to organize the food by date putting the oldest food in the front. Rotating your food storage helps you maintain freshness by ensuring that older items are consumed before they expire. By continuously using and replacing stored foods with newer stock, you can prevent spoilage and maintain the best quality possible. Food items gradually lose their nutritional value over time due to exposure to oxygen, light, heat, or moisture. By regularly rotating your food storage supply, you can consume products at their peak nutritional state while avoiding potential health risks associated with expired or degraded foods.

How to Rotate Foods

Neglecting to rotate your food storage may result in wasted food as expired items need to be discarded. By practicing rotation techniques such as “first in first out” (FIFO), where you use the oldest product first before opening new ones—food waste can be minimized significantly. Properly rotating your food inventory allows you to keep track of expiration dates effectively and avoid unnecessary duplicate purchases. With this method keep in mind that this is a short term food storage and not a long term food storage. You will be stocking your pantry based on a meal plan with foods that have a short term shelf life.

How to Make an Emergency Food List?

One of the most important things to keep in mind when creating an emergency food list is to ONLY put items on the list that you and your family actually eat. There is no need to put foods on the list if you don’t already eat them weekly. Don’t buy food just because they are shelf stable or last a long time. If you have to use your emergency food storage for whatever reason you should have foods you enjoy and know how to cook/prepare.

The easiest way to make an emergency food list is by thinking of meal ideas for 2 weeks or however long you want an emergency food supply to last breaking down each meal and writing down every single ingredient it requires. So if you plan on making bread, add flour, sugar, water, yeast, and oil to your ingredient list. Do this for every meal on your meal list to add to your ingredients. Below I have listed out the basics that need to be included on every emergency food list.

Emergency Food List

Water

Store at least one gallon per person per day.
Consider purchasing water purification tablets or filters as a backup option. In our house, we use a Berkey water filtration system. They are an expensive upfront purchase but we have found it to be well worth it overall. (This post is not in any way affiliated with Berkey, this is my own opinion.) This is an excellent option if you do not have the storage space to store 2 weeks’ worth of water for your family.
Filtration straws or filtration bottles are also great options. I have both in my emergency storage and both are great options if you cannot afford a Berkey filtration system. They are small compact straws that can filter thousands of gallons.

Canned foods

Stock up on canned vegetables, beans, corn, peas, fruits, and soups. Store-bought canned food or home-canned food will work.
Canned meats like tuna, chicken, ham, or beef are great for protein sources.
Pasta sauces and ready-to-eat meals for convenience.
Canned soups and broths: These make for quick meals during emergencies while providing hydration along with necessary nutrients.

Grains and baking supplies

Opt for long-lasting options like rice (white/brown), quinoa, oats, and pasta noodles.
Purchase grains such as flour and cornmeal to make breads.
Things like sugar, baking soda, and baking powder are staples when it comes to baking.

Protein Sources

Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein that doesn’t require refrigeration.
Beef jerky or dehydrated meats can also be stored for extended periods.
Peanut butter or other nut butters are great options.
If you have the freezer space buying meat and freezing is an option but you need to have a backup generator in case you lose electricity. You wouldn’t want to risk losing all of your frozen foods.

Shelf-Stable Dairy Products

Powdered milk offers versatility; use it in recipes or reconstitute it with water for drinking purposes.
Long-lasting cheese products like vacuum-sealed hard cheeses.

Fats and Oils

Keep avocado oil or olive oil in dark bottles to prevent spoilage.
Ghee is a shelf-stable form of butter.

Beverages

Stock up on tea bags, coffee (instant or ground), and powdered drink mixes.
Consider purchasing electrolyte-replenishing beverages for hydration during emergencies.

Condiments and Spices

Salt, pepper, and other spices to enhance the flavor of meals.
Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise can add variety to your meals.

Snacks

Include cereal bars and granola bars for quick energy boosts.
Dried fruits peanut butter and Jelly things that can be a quick and easy snack.

FAQ’s

What is a 2 week supply of food?

A 2 week supply of food is enough food for 2 weeks 3 times a day for every member of your household. So if you have a family of four you should research 2 week food supply list family of 4. Emergency food preparedness is extremely important especially when times are so uncertain. Whether it be a natural disaster, financial crisis, or another lockdown having emergency food supplies and “disaster food” is extremely important for you and your family.

How do I build a 2 week food supply?

You do not have to buy all of your 2 week food supply at once. If you do not have the financial ability to purchase 2 weeks’ worth of food all at once then every time you go to the grocery store buy a single item to add to your stockpile. If you can do more then buy two items or whatever you can afford to contribute to your food supply. When you continue to do this every time you go you will have a stockpile before you know it.

Where can I store my canned food?

If you don’t have the space in your pantry to store your emergency food you can store it under a bed, in a closet, in a cabinet really anywhere it can be put in a cool dark place.

In conclusion, having a 2-week emergency food supply is crucial in ensuring the well-being and survival of individuals and families during times of crisis. By following this comprehensive list, one can ensure that they have an adequate stockpile of nutritious and long-lasting food items to sustain themselves until help arrives or normalcy is restored. While emergencies may be unpredictable, being prepared with a well-stocked pantry can provide peace of mind and make all the difference in safeguarding against hunger and uncertainty. Remember, it is always better to be over-prepared than underprepared when it comes to emergency situations.