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It’s scary to think about, but it’s good to be prepared. In case of emergency, having a stockpile of non-perishable food can be the difference between life and death. When it comes to your 72 hour emergency food supply, the best thing you can do is make sure you have enough food to sustain you, your family, and any guests you may have staying with you in case of disaster or emergency evacuation. Luckily, this isn’t as hard as it sounds – by purchasing key foods and following my tips below, you can build your own 3 day food stockpile quickly and inexpensively!
1) Water
Water is essential to survival; if you find yourself stuck in a situation where it’s not available, be sure to ration it out. A gallon of water per day is recommended for every person—including your pets! You will need an ample water supply for drinking, bathing, cooking, and possibly even flushing your toilets. It’s also smart to have purification tablets or a water filter on hand as well.
2) Canned Goods
Canned foods are an excellent place to start when putting together your 72-hour emergency food supply. Canned goods are super convenient and durable, making them a great option for long-term storage or for packing into your bug out bag in case of emergency. Most canned goods also last for a long time, so you can buy a bunch of them when they’re on sale and keep them stashed away until it’s time to use them.
3) Beans
Beans are an excellent source of protein and carbohydrates, with a nearly even ratio. With a backup emergency cooking source like a grill or a camp stove, beans make a great addition to any 72-hour emergency food storage plan. For every two cups of water you use when cooking dried beans, add one cup of dry beans for a total of three cups. Bring these three cups to a boil for 30 minutes, then reduce heat and let simmer until tender (about one hour). Drain and rinse before using in your food storage recipes.
4) Rice
Rice is a food that nearly half of the world indulges in. It’s easy to store, doesn’t spoil quickly and has high nutritional value. If you can handle eating rice for three days without getting bored, it’s a good candidate for your emergency food stockpile. Rice will store well in your pantry and has an indefinite shelf life (which makes it great emergency food). White rice tends to last longer than other varieties and can be paired with other things to stretch your meal out.
5) Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is great for emergency food stockpiles since it can be stored for up to a year at room temperature. It’s also a source of protein and healthy fats. If you prefer, you can use other nut butters in your stockpile; almond butter and sunflower seed butter are popular alternatives.
