Emergency food
Aim to have enough food for you and your family/household for at least three days after a major disaster. Although you are likely to have some food supplies, it is wise to have an ‘emergency supply’ as well.
When storing emergency food, record the date to indicate when these items need to be replaced. Rotate emergency stocks with your normal stocks or buy extra food when you can to replace old items.
Store non-perishable food (tinned or dry food) and avoid foods that have to be cooked unless you have a portable cooker or barbeque.
In a major disaster, electricity may not be working. Ensure that you have alternative cooking equipment as you will not be able to use your stove or microwave.
A camping stove or barbeque (gas or charcoal) is ideal to boil water and cook food.
Suitable foods to store
| Types of emergency food | Shelf life |
| Tinned food (meat, fish, vegetables and fruit) | 2 years |
| Dried fruit | 2 years |
| Rice | 2 years |
| Muesli bars | as marked |
| Skim milk powder | 1 year |
| Ultra-heat-treated milk | as marked |
| Fruit juice (tinned or foil-sealed) | as marked |
Other food needs
Children & infants
Remember to include food items for children and infants in your emergency survival kit.
Pets
If you have pets, include food supplies for them in your emergency survival kit.
Special food needs
If you have special food needs, be sure to include as much as you can in your emergency survival kit.