Are you searching for the best survival food kits?
Being prepared for emergencies requires having a fully stocked disaster preparedness food store. While you can build a stock of food for an emergency individually, selecting a complete emergency food kit can save you time.
I have reviewed the most popular freeze dried food emergency kits available and after reading this article you will know my recommendations.
Check out the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for the best survival food kits picks, or read on for the full review:
Table of Contents
How to Select the Best Survival Food Kits
Because every survival situation that you are going to be faced with will be unique, it’s important to select a food kit that offers you a wide variety of nutritious food.
Additionally, you want to choose a food kit that will keep your food safe from water in case of a flood and from insects and other pests.
I can’t imagine many things that would be more frustrating than buying a survival food kit, only to store it incorrectly and find out that the food is ruined.
For long-term storage, look for a kit that is in a sealable container.
If you want to be able to travel with your kit, then you will want to consider one that comes in a backpack or easy carry case.
Again, this is all personal preference and has to do with how and where you are planning on using your kit for the best possible results.
You must also consider how many days of food you need and how many people you will need to feed.
Benefits of Having a Survival Food Kit
Food and water are the two most important things that you can have when faced with a survival situation.
When you buy a survival food kit that offers ample food and water for you and your family members, then you won’t have to worry about how you will eat and drink during an emergency.’
By not having to focus on feeding your family during an emergency, you will be able to focus on safety and recovery.
Additionally, some survival food kits come with other accessories that are designed to make protecting yourself and surviving easier.
Depending on whether or not you have another dedicated survival kit, a food kit that comes with matches, blankets, knives, and more may come in handy.
What to Look For
The storage container that your survival food kit is stored will set it apart from other poor quality options on the market.
Make sure that you can easily move it from one area in your home to another or that you can take it with you when you leave your home.
Other attributes to look for include additional included safety items and how long the kit will last during an emergency.
It’s important to consider the shelf life of all included food when selecting the best survival food kit for your needs.
How to Best Use Your Survival Food Kit
You can’t predict when disaster will hit so It’s important that your survival food kit is ready to be used at any time.
You will need to take care when storing your kit.
Dry basements are often a great option for long-term storage, as they are cool and dark.
If you don’t have a basement, then consider storing your kit in the garage or in a large closet where it will be out of the way, but still easily accessible.
Make sure that you have enough space for your food kit and that it is not placed in an area where you won’t be able to easily access it.
The last thing you want to deal with during an emergency is struggling to secure your survival food supplies.
Once you need your survival food kit, then you can easily open it and eat or cook the meals as desired.
Considerations
While there are some people who prefer to make their own kits, it think that buying a pre-made kit is a much better option for those who are not well versed in going through the stress of an emergency situation.
A food kit takes away the research and time needed to assemble your own food stocks.
This being said, you still need to treat your pre-made kit with the same respect and care that you would a homemade kit, and this means trying to keep it in a cool and dry place so that you can enjoy the longest possible shelf life.
Additionally, even kits that have long expiration dates will eventually have food that expires, so I recommend checking your kit on a regular basis and replacing any expired food.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to buy a kit that has food that will last for a very long time so that you aren’t stuck with expired food or having to change out your food shortly after buying your kit.
Finally, make sure that you reevaluate your food and water needs on a regular basis. As your family grows and your needs change, you need to make sure that you have them covered with enough food in your kit.
Top Survival Food Kits
Augason Farms 30 Day Emergency Food Storage Supply
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being prepared for an emergency when you purchase this food pail. Not only is it fully of different meals to choose from, but it includes a whey-based beverage that can easily take the place of fresh milk for any or all of your meals. Due to the bucket storage, this is best for those who do not intend to bug out with this particular kit.
Pros
● Contains 307 servings in 35 food pouches
● Up to a 20 year shelf life
● 1,822 calories a day
● Comes with 30 and 45 day meal planner guide to remove guesswork
● Buckets are high-quality and designed to withstand shipping and being moved without damage
● Food tastes good
Cons
● Bags are not resealable
● Difficult to put the food bags back in once the bucket is opened
Mountain House Pouch Kits Freeze Dried Meals Kit
Perfect for camping, backpacking, or preparing for an emergency, this survival food kit offers a wide variety of meals to choose from, is small enough to store without it taking up too much room, and the food is designed to last for decades. Easy to prepare with a 30 year shelf life. Mountain House offers an excellent option for all situations.
Pros
● 30+ year shelf life
● Easy to make food in less than 10 minutes
● No cleanup necessary
● Includes a variety of meals to choose from
● Very lightweight
● Easy to store
Cons
● Requires a lot of water that some people may not have on hand
● Not my favorite flavor selection
Sustain Supply Company Premium Emergency Survival Bag
Having enough food and other supplies for the first 72 hours after an emergency is important and will prevent you from dealing with a major medical problem. This kit is designed to offer all of the support and supplies that two people need when dealing with an emergency, and the portable backpack makes it easy to take everything on the go. This is a great selection for home or to keep in your vehicle.
Pros
● Provides enough food for two people for 72 hours
● Contains food, water, lights, bath wipes, emergency blankets, and more
● Offers everything that you need in an emergency so you can grab it quickly
● Provides supplies for basic first aid
● Packed in an easy-to-carry backpack
Cons
● Included first aid kit doesn’t offer all of the bandages and supplies you need
● Main zipper is not very durable and easily breaks
Wise Food 5 Day Survival Backpack
Prepare for an emergency with a survival backpack that features more than just the food that you need to stay healthy and safe. With a safety whistle, playing cards, and even water proof matches, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you can easily take care of yourself and your family in an emergency. This is a great all around emergency supply kit.
Pros
● Contains 32 servings of great entrees
● Provides water pouches and portable stove
● Offers other necessities like an emergency poncho and blanket
● 42-piece hygiene and first aid kit keeps you healthy
● Backpack features durable straps and zippers
Cons
● Doesn’t provide all of the water that you need for food and drinking
● Stove generates a lot of heat loss
Ready America 70280 Emergency Kit 2 Person 3 day backpack
Unlike some survival kits that don’t supply more than food and water, this kit offers you everything you need for two people to survive a three-day emergency. With 12 emergency drinking water packets that can withstand temperatures from 40F to 230F, this kit is ideal for most any use and offers you the peace of mind you deserve.
Pros
● Provides the food that two people need to survive for three days in an emergency
● Features a 33-piece first aid kit
● Provides food, water, and other supplies
● Durable backpack makes it easy to take items on the road
● Food and water have a 5-year shelf life
● Professional designed by emergency preparedness experts
Cons
● Backpacks tend to leak water
● Backpack isn’t large enough to pack additional supplies
The Augason Farms 30-day Emergency Food Storage Supply is the best survival food kit on this list. The durable bucket will protect your food supplies from rodents and pests so you don’t need to worry about your food being damaged. I love that it has a shelf life of up to 20 years, which means that you won’t have to worry about changing out your food right after you buy the kit. With a wide variety of foods to choose from when its mealtime as well as 1,822 calories per day, it’s easy for one person to use this kit for a month or for two people to share it and have enough food for 15 days each.
Fred is the Ready Zeal owner and editor. He has been passionately pursuing all things emergency preparation since working alongside his grandfather as a boy growing up in the Midwest. When not working on the family homestead he can be found brewing coffee and reading a good book or backpacking in the wilderness. Contact Fred at fred@readyzeal.com