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Emergency Preparedness

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7 to 10 day emergency food kit

Food Suggestions when Preparing an Emergency Kit

The following is a list of shelf stable food items that can be part of your kit. When selecting foods for your toolkit, consider healthy food choices based on Canada's Food Guide and Principles. 

Whole Grain Products
- Bagel chips
- Crackers
- Melba toast, bread sticks, rice cakes
- Pita chips
- Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal - individual packets
- Quick cooking/instant rice
- Uncooked instant oatmeal - individual packets
- Granola bars
Vegetables and Fruit
- Applesauce
- Dried fruits
- Fruit salad cups
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Vegetable or fruit juice in tetra-pack boxes or plastic containers
Protein Foods and Alternatives
- Condensed, dehydrated, or evaporated milk
- Skim milk powder
- Packaged, ready-to-eat puddings
- Shelf-stable rice and soy beverages
- For babies or young children who are formula feeding: Ready-to-feed infant formula
- Dried or powered eggs
- Nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, sesame tahini)
- Nuts
- Canned meats, fish, beans
- Dried beans, peas, lentils
Comfort Food and Snacks
- Biscuits/cookies
- Hot chocolate
- Instant coffee
- Nuts and seeds
- Trail mixes
Other Items
- Bottled water - four litres per person per day - remember pets too!
- Sports drinks
  • Take into account the needs of each family member - babies, young children, and elderly members. Food and dietary requirements may vary for family members with special diets, disabilities, or allergies. Pick food items that your family likes and eats on a regular basis. Also consider having some familiar foods for comfort during times of stress.
  • Ensure food items are:
    • - non-perishable
    • - do not require refrigeration
    • - require minimal or no water
    • - require minimal or no cooking
    • - are not too heavy or easily breakable
  • Plan to have enough water for a person to have two litres of water per day, and additional two litres per person per day for cooking or cleaning.
  • Remember to consider food requirements for your pet(s).
  • Remember a manual can opener and utensils.
  • Check expiration dates on food items.
  • Remember to rotate and replace food at least once per year.
    •

    The safest way to feed babies and young children in an emergency is to breastfeed.

    • In an emergency, it might be hard to find clean, safe water to mix formula and to clean infant feeding equipment. If you have been feeding your child, both breast milk and formula, or have recently weaned from providing breast milk, consider returning to breastfeeding during this time.
    • Ready-to-feed infant formula is the safest option in emergencies for infants who are formula fed. For more information about safe preparation, storage, and handling of infant formula, refer to Formula Feeding.
    • Children age six months and older also need solid foods that are age-appropriate, adequate, and safe from the food suggestions list found above.
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