Prepare Your Hurricane Food Kit
It is that time of year again. We are at the height of the hurricane season and it is vital that we have an emergency supply of food and water. The type of food that we need to stock should be shelf stable. That means foods that do not require refrigeration or care to sit on your shelf.
As you go through the grocery store consider the bread group, which includes crackers, dry bread sticks, pretzels, melba toast, ready to eat cereal (no or low sugar), rice and popcorn cakes. In the vegetable group there are canned vegetables and soups of all types. Canned fruit, fruit leather (what is fruit leather?), applesauce, dried fruits and fruit juice (not fruit drinks or punch) are also readily available. Be sure to include a source of vitamin C. In the meat group there is a large assortment of canned foods available. Some of these are canned tuna, chicken/turkey, meat, soup with beans or meat, sardines, beans, chili with meat or beans, ravioli/spaghetti, ham/pork, stew, Vienna sausage, peanut butter and nuts, and commercially prepared beef or turkey jerky. Let's not forget the milk group. There is shelf stable milk available in boxes and this will need to be chilled after opening unless it is used all at once. There is also canned and boxed pudding on the grocery shelves. This is not the pudding that is in the refrigerator section.
In many of the food groups there are instant products available. Before purchasing instant food check to be sure your have enough water for reconstitution and a cooking source. If the water lines are broken and the power is out you will need an alternate source for each of these. Camp stoves and a chafing dish with sterno can be used for cooking. Water is needed for hygiene, drinking, washing food preparation utensils, and cooking. Plan on at least two gallons of water per person per day. Some of the instant foods available are cereal, cup of noodles, soups (vegetable and meat or bean), potatoes, rice, and milk.
To purchase for everyone in your family all at once can be quite expensive, that is why it is suggested that you purchase a few things every week. Once you have assembled your emergency food supply it needs to be stored. The best choices for storage are the coolest cabinets away from appliances that produce heat. If it is stored outside of the house as in a garage or shed the heat can be too much and cans may rust or bulge, possibly indicating spoiled contents. Outside storage may also have problems with insects, rodents, and possible flooding. Once hurricane season is over use the stored food and water in your everyday meals. Replenish as needed and your family will always be prepared for an emergency.