Emergency Food Supply

How and Where to Store Food

• Keep food in a dry, cool spot—out of the sun, if possible.

• Wrap perishable foods, such as cookies and crackers, in plastic bags and keep them in sealed containers.

• Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or airtight cans to keep them fresh and unspoiled.

Avoid

• Canned goods that have become swollen, dented or corroded.

• Fatty, high-protein or salty foods when your water supply is low.

• Keep your hands clean — it's one of the best ways to keep from getting sick. If soap and running water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gels or wipes to clean hands.

• Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use. Throw out perishable foods, such as meat and poultry, that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

• Eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content if your water supplies are low.

• If there's a power outage, eat food in the refrigerator first, the freezer next, and finally from your stored supplies. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are safe to eat) for at least two days.

Replace your stored food on a regular basis

• Boxed potatoes

• Dried fruit

• Dry, crisp crackers

• Powdered milk

• Canned, condensed meat and vegetable soups

• Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables

• Hard candy and canned nuts

• Jelly

• Peanut butter

• Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals

• Vitamins

• Baking powder

• Bouillon products

• Dried corn

• Dry pasta

• Instant coffee, tea and cocoa

• Soft drinks

• Vegetable oils

• Salt

• Soybeans

• Wheat (for breadmaking)

• White rice

Do

Within six months, use
Within one year, use
In proper containers and conditions, the following can be stored indefinitely.

References:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 18, 2011.
<http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/food/>