How to Prepare Your Own Affordable Survival Food Kit
Being prepared doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Unexpected changes to your ability to access food (whether it’s a natural disaster, supply chain issue or other emergency) can happen to anyone. When it does, you’ll be glad that you prepared a survival food kit for your home. A survival food kit is simply a stash of shelf-stable foods that can keep you and your household nourished for a period of time while your normal access to groceries is cut off.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to buy pricey, futuristic foods. You can build an affordable survival food kit that fits your budget, diet, and lifestyle using ingredients from the grocery store, or supplement your stash with Friendly Frontier’s offerings of shelf stable foods.
No matter what your circumstances, whether you’re vegan, feeding a family, or living in a small space, you can find an approach that fits your needs and saves you serious money.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create a personalized, cost-effective kit that keeps you ready without the stress.
Why You Need a Survival Food Kit
Life is unpredictable. Storms, food shortages, or even road closures can make it harder to get to the store or find what you need. A survival food kit helps you stay prepared by giving you access to food when it’s not easy to buy fresh groceries.
Having a kit ready offers peace of mind. It means you can focus on other priorities without worrying about meals, no matter what issues arise. It’s helpful and important to have food stored whether you live alone, with roommates, or with family.
Making your own kit also lets you choose exactly what works for you. You can plan around your budget, dietary needs, and food preferences, which helps avoid waste and makes the kit more useful when you need it.
It’s not just about preparing for a “doomsday” scenario. It’s about being ready for everyday challenges, in a way that works for your life.
Know What to Pack: Essentials of a Survival Food Kit
A well-stocked survival food kit doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. The goal is to cover your basic nutritional needs with affordable, shelf-stable items that you’ll actually eat. Here’s what to include:
Calories and Nutrition
When you’re planning for emergencies, calories matter. Your body needs fuel to stay alert and functional, especially in stressful situations. Choose calorie-dense foods that offer a balance of “macro-nutrients” (protein, fat, and carbohydrates). Prioritize items that also provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals to help maintain your health over time.
Affordable shelf-stable options include:
- Canned meats like tuna, chicken, or sardines
- Dried legumes such as lentils, black beans, or split peas
- Whole grains like brown rice or oats
- Nut butters (peanut or sunflower seed butter)
- Powdered milk or shelf-stable dairy alternatives
These items are all available at your local grocery store. Buy in bulk or when these items are on sale to stretch your budget even further.
Shelf Life
Look for foods that last at least six months to a few years without refrigeration. Check expiration dates when buying, and store items in a cool, dry place to extend shelf life.
Good long-lasting picks include:
- Canned vegetables, fruits, and soups
- Freeze-dried meals or backpacking food
- Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- Jerky and vacuum-sealed proteins
- Shelf-stable pasta and grains
Dollar stores, warehouse clubs, and your local Hispanic, Asian or other markets can be great sources for affordable shelf-stable items.
Variety
Storing a wide mix of foods keeps meals from feeling repetitive and helps with morale. Add items with different flavors and textures to your food kit, including a few comfort foods.
Examples:
- Granola bars, trail mix, and crackers
- Canned chili or stew
- Instant mashed potatoes, instant rice, and other easy-to-make starchy foods
- Chocolate, candy, and dessert mixes
- Salt, pepper, spices, hot sauce, bouillon cubes
Water
You’ll need clean water for both drinking and food preparation. It is recommended to store at least one gallon per person per day. If space is limited, consider using water purification tablets or a portable water filter.
Convenient budget options:
- Multi-gallon jugs
- Cases of bottled water
Compact budget options:
- Water filtration bottle
- Water purification tablets
- Collapsible water containers
Water isn’t expensive, but it’s essential. If you are planning for a scenario where you are without access to your usual source of water, you will also need a plan for water for uses besides drinking, such as cleaning and bathing. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of water in an emergency plan. Built it into your survival kit from the start.
Special Considerations for Your Survival Food Kit
Everyone’s needs are different, and your survival food kit should reflect that. One of the biggest advantages of building your own kit is being able to tailor it to your household.
Dietary Needs
If you follow a specific diet such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or diabetic-friendly, you can choose foods that work for you. Double-check ingredients and labels if you’re managing allergies. Safe food is just as critical as shelf life.
For gluten-free survival foods, vegetarian survival foods, and other dietary options, you can explore our selection shelf stable foods, which offers a range of choices to fit different needs.
42 Serving Vegetarian Meal Bundle by Alpine
Kids and Pets
Make sure to account for everyone in your home. If you have children, include kid-friendly snacks and shelf-stable, easily digestible foods. For pets, pack dry food and consider any special dietary needs they may have.
Cultural and Personal Preferences
Cultural preferences are also important. Pack foods you’re used to eating and know how to prepare. If you’re already familiar with the foods you pack, it will be much easier to actually use the kit when needed.
You should aim to build a food kit that’s practical, reliable, and specific to the people in your home.
How to Pack and Store It
Once you’ve gathered your food, how you pack and store it matters just as much as what’s inside. Proper storage keeps your kit fresh, organized, and ready when you need it.
Choose the Right Containers
Use airtight containers, mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, or vacuum-sealed bags to extend shelf life and prevent moisture or pests from getting in. Resealable plastic bins or buckets with lids also work well and are easy to stack and move if needed.
Label Everything
Label each item or container with the purchase or expiration date so you can keep track of what needs to be rotated out. A simple marker or label maker works fine—whatever helps you stay organized.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Keep your kit in a place that stays relatively cool and dry. Avoid storing it in areas with temperature swings, like garages or attics. A closet, pantry, or under-bed storage bin can work well for smaller homes or apartments.
Create a Grab-and-Go Option
Consider putting together a smaller version of your kit as part of a go bag. This should include lighter weight, compact, but calorie dense food like snack bars, protein bars, and bottled water or a water filtration bottle. Store these items in a backpack, duffel bag or waterproof kit in order to access it quicky in case of an evacuation.
Replenish and Rotate
Unfortunately, a survival food kit isn’t something you build once and forget about. Fortunately, all you need to do to keep it useful is check it regularly and replace items as they expire or as your needs change.
Set a Regular Check-In
Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder to check your kit every six to twelve months. Check for expiration dates, damaged packaging, spoiled or moldy foods or anything that no longer fits your needs.
Eat and Replace
If you find that your items are getting close to their expiration date, go ahead and use them and restock with fresh supplies. This rotation system helps avoid waste and keep your food kit in good shape when you need it.
Update for Life Changes
As your household changes, your kit should too. If your family has grown or changed, you may need to add baby food, pet supplies, or different food items if someone’s dietary needs have shifted.
Keep It Simple
The easier your system is to maintain, the more likely you’ll stick with it. A quick review a couple of times a year is all it takes to keep your survival food kit ready to use should the time ever come.
Consider Keeping Seeds
For long-term food planning, consider adding a small stash of seeds to your survival supplies. Heirloom or non-GMO seeds can be stored for future planting and used to grow vegetables, herbs, or even medicinal plants if an emergency situation lasts longer than your stored food.
Fruit Seed Bundle - 9 Fruit, 2,000 Seeds
Unlike some hybrid or genetically modified seeds, non-GMO and heirloom varieties can often be saved and regrown year after year, making them more sustainable for ongoing use. Look for varieties that grow well in your climate and have a reliable shelf life. Keep them in a cool, dry place in sealed packaging. Having the ability to grow your own food adds an extra layer of security and self-sufficiency over time.
Free Download –Survival Food Kit Checklist
Ready to get started? Use our printable, customizable checklist to plan, track, and build your own affordable survival food kit. Keep it on your fridge, in your pantry, or with your emergency supplies to easily keep track of how many supplies you have available, expiration dates, and nutrition.