Having a supply of essential items is an essential part of emergency preparedness.
In an emergency, such as a natural disaster, power outage, or disease outbreak, you might find yourself suddenly without access to basic necessities.
That’s why it’s important to have a three-day supply of food and water stored in your home, with at least one gallon of water per person per day (and don’t forget about your pets!).
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to build an emergency food and supply stockpile in order to be prepared for any kind of disaster.
With us, you will learn how to create a budget, find storage solutions, select the best food items and supplies.
Let’s get started and learn how to create an emergency stash of food and supplies.
Setting a Budget
Creating an emergency stockpile of food and supplies is a crucial part of being prepared.
These items include non-perishable, low-salt foods that don’t need refrigeration, plus water, flashlights, manual can openers, radios, batteries, and copies of important documents.
It is imperative to remember that experts advocate for having a three-day supply of food and water in your home, with each person requiring at least 1 gallon of water per day.
It’s ideal to have at least a week’s worth of food and water on hand if you have the room for it.
The best approach when building up a stockpile is to start with a small amount and add to it gradually. Every week, you can set aside some money to buy items that are discounted or reasonably priced.
Bulk and club stores are excellent resources for saving money on shopping for supplies. You can save even more on your groceries and household items by leveraging apps like Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Fetch Rewards.
When it comes to storage, it’s ideal to place your supplies in a accessible area that is cool and dark.
Keep your food away from solvents and cleaners, as well as areas of the home that could be flooded, to prevent contamination.
Store your supplies in a tightly closed container, such as a box or plastic bin, to protect against humidity or pests.
If you reside in a compact home or apartment, don’t worry–there are still many ideas for making the most of the space. By being creative with your storage choices, you can still build up a good amount of supplies.
For example, storing canned food can be made easier with space-saving wrapping paper bins, while risers allow for extra space to be created under the bed. You can maximize your use of space by looking for opportunities behind, underneath, or even inside the sofa and dishwasher.
It’s important to check your inventory often and replenish any items that have expired or gone missing. To make sure your supplies remain stocked, it is recommended to take inventory of your stockpile twice a year, and a convenient reminder is to do so when you adjust the clocks for daylight saving time.
You should also regularly rotate your food and water supplies, and throw away anything that has expired, is leaking or is damaged.
Storing Your Stockpile
To ensure emergency preparedness, it’s important to have a plan in place for organizing and storing your stockpile of food and supplies.
Location is an important factor when deciding where to store your supplies. To ensure your supplies are accessible during an emergency, store them in a cool and dark location.
A good place to store your food is a cool, dark area such as a basement or garage; however, these areas should not be near any chemical solvents or cleaners that could potentially contaminate the food with fumes, and should also not be an area of the house prone to flooding.
When building your stockpile, be sure to take into account how you will store the items.
To protect your supplies from humidity or pests, it’s a smart idea to store them in a box or plastic bin that can be kept securely sealed.
Having your supplies organized and ready to go is an easy way to ensure that you can evacuate quickly if there is an emergency, such as a hurricane.
If you have a limited amount of space in an apartment or small house, try to be imaginative when it comes to storage solutions.
Utilizing compact containers for wrapping paper and installing risers underneath the bed can create extra storage space for canned goods.
Having a combination of items that can sustain you in an emergency situation is crucial when it comes to assembling your emergency preparedness stockpile.
Your top priority should be to have a minimum of three days’ worth of food and water for each person in your home (again, remember your pets!), which includes one gallon of water per person per day.
It is recommended by experts that you keep a one week supply of food and water if it’s feasible to do so.
Opt for snacks that don’t need to be refrigerated, and have low sodium content. You should also have flashlights, a manual can opener, a radio, batteries and copies of important documents in your emergency supply kit, in addition to food and water.
Depending on the requirement of your family, you may need medical supplies, pet food, contact lens solution, or diapers.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can build a supply of food and other necessities that will help protect your family in times of crisis.
If you’re planning a trip, it’s important to go slowly and do your research. Make sure to invest enough time in the planning process.
Take advantage of apps that offer money-saving options and hunt for discounts at various shops.
Keep your stockpile in a cool, dark place, and store your items in a box or plastic bin that can be kept tightly closed to protect the contents from humidity or pests.
And don’t forget to check your stockpile regularly and replace any expired or missing items.
With a little planning and preparation, you can have peace of mind knowing that you and your family are prepared for any emergency that may come your way.
How to Find Deals on Food and Supplies for Stockpiling
When it comes to creating a stockpile of food and supplies for emergency preparedness, one of the most important things to keep in mind is finding deals on the items you need.
There are a number of ways to do this, including scanning store sales flyers, visiting deal blogs, and shopping at multiple stores.
One of the best ways to find deals on food and supplies is to scan the store’s sales flyer before you go shopping.
This will allow you to see what items are on sale and at what price, so you can plan your shopping trip accordingly.
Additionally, you can visit deal blogs to see if there are any coupons that you can match up with the items you want to purchase. This can help you save even more money on your purchases.
Another great way to find deals on food and supplies is to shop at multiple stores. This can allow you to compare prices and find the best deals on the items you need. Additionally, you can use money-saving apps to save on groceries and household supplies.
Some popular apps include Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Fetch Rewards. I mention a few others below.
These apps can help you save money on any brand of product, such as milk, bread, fruit, diapers, and more.
Another tip to find great deals on food and supplies is to bulk purchase from “club” stores. These stores often offer a lower price per unit when you purchase in bulk.
And if you’re low on space, you can split the case with a friend, co-worker or neighbor.
Finally, it’s worth noting that stockpiling food and supplies is a gradual process, so you don’t have to buy everything at once.
You can start slow and small by setting aside $5 to $10 a week to buy things for your stockpile.
Then, be sure to use that money to buy only things that are on good prices and that you’ll definitely use. And as you continue to stockpile, you’ll find that the savings start to add up over time.
If you shop on places like Amazon, I would also recommend checking out a few Chrome Extensions such as Honey and Capital One Shopping.
Both have an easy way to supply you with as many coupons as they can find during the checkout process to save you money.
They also give you cash back in the form of PayPal or even Gift Cards to various stores.
Another thing that Honey does is you can save a few bucks when you buy a Gift Card through them during the checkout process for various stores. While I haven’t used it for emergency supplies, I can say it works for restaurant orders!
Recommended Items for Stockpile
It is advised by the American Public Health Association to have a minimum of three days worth of food and water in your home, and ideally one gallon per person per day.
Having a week’s worth of food and water on hand is recommended if you have the room for it.
It’s important to choose foods for your stockpile that don’t require refrigeration and are lower in sodium.
It is suggested that you stock up on canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, peanut butter, and tuna or chicken cans.
Having an additional manual can opener can be beneficial in the event of a power outage.
Some examples of other items for longer-term food storage would be:
- Rice
- Oats
- Beans
- Lentils
You can use Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers to keep these items fresh for many, many years. If you have food grade buckets, that’s even better.
Besides food, it’s essential to have other supplies in your emergency stockpile.
You should have a flashlight, radio (battery or hand-crank), extra batteries and digital copies of key documents like your ID, passport and insurance on hand.
It is recommended to have a two-week supply of any medication taken by someone in your family.
You should also have a first aid kit, candles, matches, and a manual hand-crank phone charger in your emergency kit.
Personally, I love having a foldable Solar Panel to charge my electronics during power outages, or even if you’re out in the middle of nowhere.
Pets should always be kept in mind when preparing for an emergency.
Be sure to include pet food, water, and any needed medication in your reserves. Having a few treats and toys wouldn’t hurt!
If you have babies or toddlers, it’s wise to keep a supply of diapers and baby formula.
Being prepared for an emergency can give you a greater sense of security; planning ahead and having some food and supplies saved up can help with this.
Be sure to occasionally check your supplies and rearrange them when necessary. You never know when things might be out-of-date, accidentally broken or even leaking!
By taking the time to plan ahead and prepare, you can ensure that your family will be taken care of during tough times.
Maintaining Your Stockpile
Keeping your emergency supplies in good condition is an important part of being prepared. It guarantees that your supplies are always well-stocked and ready for use in the event of an emergency.
Below are some suggestions to help you sustain your stockpile:
Check expiration dates
To determine if your food is still safe to consume, you should always check the expiration date. Non-perishable items such as canned goods and packaged foods can last for up to two years.
If a food item has gone past its expiration date, it should be thrown away and replaced with a new one.
Rotate your bottled water supply
Check the expiration date of your bottled water, as it can expire eventually. It is recommended by experts to replace your bottled water supply every six months.
Check for damage
Check your cans and packages of food for any signs of damage, including dents, tears, or bulging. These signs may indicate that the food is unfit for consumption.
Keep track of your supplies
Make sure to keep a log of what you have stored in your stockpile, including how many items are present and when they expire. This will help you monitor what needs to be substituted and when.
Keep your stockpile in a cool, dark place
For best results, it is recommended to store your emergency supplies in a cool and dark place. For optimal food storage, keep your food away from solvents, cleaners, and areas of the house that are prone to flooding.
Use a “first in, first out” system
When organizing your items, place the new ones in the back and bring older ones to the front. By doing this, you will ensure that the items with the soonest expiration dates are used first.
If you adhere to these guidelines, you can make sure that your supplies are up-to-date and ready to use in the event of an emergency.
Don’t forget that your emergency supplies are an integral part of keeping your family safe, so take the necessary steps to keep them in good order.
Bottom Line
Having an emergency preparedness plan including a supply of food and essentials is essential to protect yourself and your family.
Through planning and preparation, such as establishing a budget, searching for deals on food and supplies, recommending items to store up, keeping your stockpile in a secure and accessible location, and routinely replenishing it, you can be ready for any potential crisis.
Start off with a small quantity, and build up your stock over time to prevent spending too much money.
Remember to utilize your emergency supplies only in the case of an emergency – and not for any other purpose.
By following these guidelines, you can rest easy knowing that you and your family will be taken care of in case of an emergency.