The world is falling apart at its seams. Well, perhaps not, but natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena are becoming increasingly regular throughout the U.S. You've just got to look at the snowfall on the US West coast to see that these once-in-a-generation events are happening more to our generations than is necessarily fair — I blame climate change but that's a whole different argument. Getting snowed in, flooded, or hurricane bound in your basement is not a matter that should be taken lightly; we never know what's about to hit us next, so it pays to be prepared.
If you're fortunate enough to have a basement or a bunker, you might have a full setup that's ready for you to move into at a moment's notice. Regardless, it's worth having a cold weather sleeping bag, as well as a stove and some fuel on hand so you can stay warm and take on calories. When it comes to survivalist food, you could always just stash a huge selection of tins in your basement, sure. But you're a true prepper, right? That means having the right food that provides ample calories while also being edible.How many times can you eat a tin of beans before you get fed up? Not a lot, right? These survivalist food kits aren't just providing raw calories; they're actual food that you're going to want to eat. You can't get calories from food that you don't eat, so get prepared properly for the next impending disaster with these kits.
Valley Food Storage
Valley Food Storage features simple, non-GMO meals without artificial ingredients while still having an impressive 25-year shelf life. Their food kits come in waterproof, resealable buckets and range from 175 servings to an apocalypse-worthy 4,200 servings. Because Valley Food Storage uses real, clean ingredients, you won’t find anything on their labels that you can’t pronounce. They offer soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian options that aren’t packed with sugar and sodium. Their 175-serving kit contains 23,600 calories which would last around two weeks if you ate roughly 2,000 calories a day.
Mountain House Classic Bucket
If you’ve ever gone backpacking or camping, you’re probably familiar with Mountain House. These dehydrated meals are easy to make — just add hot water — and come with a 30-year taste guarantee, so you can pack them away and feel comfortable knowing they’re there when an emergency strikes. The Classic Bucket includes 24 servings (around 6,000 calories), which should be enough to get you through a weekend. They have no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, and five different meals to lend some variety to your dining experience. This kit is great to have on hand for short-term survival or if you simply don’t have time to swing by REI before this weekend’s camping trip.
ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply
ReadyWise food kits also come in a resealable bucket and are ready just by adding hot water. They have a 25-year shelf life and are made in the USA. What's great about ReadyWise is the variety of meals included in their kit. Their Emergency Foot Kit contains 13 different types of meals including cheesy lasagna, southwest beans and rice, and hearty tortilla soup. They also offer fruit and vegetable buckets to make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber in your diet.
Patriot Pantry ZF_Ammo_1 1-Week Food Supply Ammo Can
This 1-week food supply crate from Patriot Pantry has the look of a true end-of-days survivalist series. The sturdy ammo can container features a gasket and security clips, so you can store it in your basement — or even out at your lodge — safe in the knowledge that all of your food will still be there when you need it. This pack contains 42 servings of meals designed to provide over 1500 calories per day. These aren't your normal rice and beans, either. Patriot Pantry pride itself on making home-cooked style foods, like potato soup, mac and cheese, and creamy chicken. The mysterious traveler's stew is definitely intriguing enough to make this worth a try.
S.O.S Rations
For the survivalist on the go who wants to keep weight light and gear to a minimum, check out the S.O.S. rations. These calorically dense food and energy bars require no cooking, no additional water, and actually have pretty good reviews for taste. Better than you might imagine for a calorically dense food bar. This kit also contains water and a survival guide, both super handy in an emergency situation. Because this kit offers less variety than some of the others on our list, I’m not sure how great it would be for long-term survival, but it would be perfect for a go-bag or car kit in case you get stranded or have to bug out in a rush.
MRE - Meals Ready To Eay
These MRE bags are essential army ration packs done properly. The wet food means you don't need to use up precious water when it comes to making a calorie-rich mean, and these meals also cook in a special pouch that heats up when water is added, meaning you can have hot meals on the go without a stove. The downside of this is more packaging and added cost. They’re worth trying at least once, though, and they have the highest calories per meal of any of the kits on the list. You also get their accessory pack which includes salt and pepper, instant coffee, a wet napkin, red pepper flakes, and a toothpick. These meals are also a great choice to keep as an emergency trail ration or to take on a survivalist weekend.
Legacy Food Storage
If you’re looking for the best cost-per-pound ratio check out Legacy Food Storage. Like other kits on our list, they’re made in the USA, have a 25-year shelf life, are free of GMOs, and offer options for those with dietary restrictions. They also have a wide variety of meals, perfect for someone getting a kit for the longer term and they are well-reviewed when it comes to taste.
Augason Farms Emergency Food Supply
Augason Farms is another resealable bucket meal kit that offers a decent amount of calories and protein per day. They have a variety of meal choices and a long shelf life. Where they score well is on price, coming in far below some of the other options. That said, you get what you pay for, and the taste of this kit ranks lower than the others. College students and others on a budget, this could be the kit for you.
Editors' Recommendations
- Get the best camping axes for cutting, chopping, and prepping your way around the campsite
- Up your hydration game with one of the best insulated water bottles from CamelBak, Yeti, and more
- Stock your on-the-go outdoor kitchen with the best camping cookware
- Gear up for your next big adventure with the best camping gear and accessories
- Keep clean anytime, anywhere with the best portable showers for camping
