Heat and serve meals, like frozen dinners or canned soup, need little or no preparation. Dehydrated or freeze-dried foods are lightweight and don't take up much room in the cupboard.
Plan nutritionally balanced meals. Camping supply stores are good sources for some compact, well-preserved foods that are good choices for emergency preparedness kits.
Keep extra food in the freezer or pantry if there is enough space.
Keep on the shelf, in the cupboard or pantry
Infant formula and baby food
Bottled, canned or boxed juice
Shelf-stable milk: dried milk, evaporated milk or UHT milk (Ultra-high temperature processed sold in boxes)
Ready to eat cereals, oatmeal and granola
Crackers and melba toast
Peanut butter, jelly and honey
Dried fruits, nuts and trail mixes
Snack, protein and energy bars
Dried soup mixes
Rice, barley or other dried grains
Dried beans
Fruits and vegetables
Meats such as tuna, salmon and chicken
Soup and broth - low sodium if available
Beans such as kidney and black beans
Ready-to-eat stews and soups
Keep in the refrigerator
Eggs
Milk
Yogurt
Keep in the freezer
Fruits
Vegetables
Meat
Bread