Single serving packaging is a good way to not waste food when refrigeration is unavailable or unreliable. Buy the smallest jars and packages of food that is perishable when opened, but be sure you have enough to feed your family for at least a week.
With these foods and recipes, you will be prepared for just about anything. Edit this list to suit your family's tastes and budget.
Pantry Staples
Non food items
- Bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
- napkins
- paper and plastic utensils, plates and cups
- garbage bags
- manual can opener
- first aid kit
Canned foods
- canned beans
- olive oil
- canned tuna
- canned chicken
- small bottles of mayonnaise and salad dressing
- canned meats and seafood
- canned broths
- canned evaporated milk
- canned soups
- oil
- canned juices
- canned fruit
- mustard and ketchup
- canned brown bread
- canned vegetables
Dried foods
- dried soup mixes
- dried pastas
- dried vegetables
- powdered milk
- dried meat
- bouillon cubes and granules
- spices
- dried sauce mixes
- dried pesto mixes
- instant pudding mixes
- dried fruit
- dried mushrooms
Shelf stable foods
- cereals
- raisins
- small containers of applesauce
- crackers
- couscous
- coffee and tea
- jams and jellies
- nuts
- boxed juices
- snack and energy bars
- peanut butter
- infant formulas and baby foods if necessary
- salsa
- sugars
- canned pie fillings
- graham crackers
- syrups and honey
- vinegars
- onions
- potatoes
- prebaked pizza crusts (Boboli)
- cracker bread
- shelf-stable Parmesan cheese
- salt
- pepper
- any homemade shelf-stable mixes
Cooking utensils
- non-electric hot plate
- matches
- fire extinguisher
- small camping grill
- charcoal (store in fireproof container)
