Best Non-Perishable Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency

Keep a can opener on hand at all times.

• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey can last two years in the pantry. They provide essential protein.
• Canned vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, and peas.
• Canned soups and chilli. Look for low-sodium options.
• Dry pasta and pasta sauces.
• Bottle water, at least a three-day supply. You need at least one gallon per person per day.
• Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade, contain electrolytes and carbohydrates to help you rehydrate.
• Powdered milk.
• Sugar, salt, and pepper and other basic seasonings.
• Multivitamins.

When there is still time to run to the market, buy fresh produce and food items with shorter shelf lives.

Foods to buy:

• Apples can last up to three months when stored in a cool, dry area away from fruit that ripens more quickly, like bananas.
• Citrus fruits contain lots of Vit C and will keep you hydrated.
• Avocados, if unripe, can last at least a week outside the refrigerator.
• Tomatoes.
• Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are suitable for side dishes.
• Cucumbers and summer squash can be eaten raw.
• Winter squash will keep for a few months.
• Dry-cured salamis.

• Refrigerated food that spends more than four hours over 40º Fahrenheit is not safe to eat. However, if food is still cool to the touch, they're safe.
• If you don't have electricity, heat food outside on a charcoal grill or propane stove. For indoors, keep a can of Sterno, or heat in a can.
• If you need regular medication or have a small child, stock up on those items too.
• If you live in an area at high risk for flooding, consider buying all pantry items in cans.