Survival Food: 60+ Long-Term Emergency Foods and Supplies You can Buy at the Grocery Store

Emergency Food Pantry

When disaster strikes, there’s a pretty good chance your local grocery stores will be stripped bare in a matter of hours. From panicked people trying to stock up on last-minute supplies to those who failed to prepare for even short-term disasters and now find themselves facing the prospect of starving, your local grocery store will look like a battleground in a post-apocalyptic movie.

Most grocery stores have a maximum three-day supply of goods on hand before they run dry. That means even short-term disasters like hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can cause supply chain problems that will quickly wipe out their inventory. Now throw in a long-term disaster that cuts off supplies for months, and you have a real recipe for disaster.

To be prepared to face an emergency situation where supply chains fail and food deliveries are blocked, you need to invest in a long-term food supply. This supply should be made up of at least six months’ worth of emergency food with a long shelf-life – preferably something that you already eat.

From Supermarket Shelves to Survival Pantry: Building Your Emergency Food Stockpile with Long-Lasting Food From The Grocery Store

Storing Long-term food supplies at home.

In the face of so many uncertainties, it’s important to ensure you and your loved ones’ survival by stocking an emergency pantry with long-lasting food supplies. While many so-called survival experts try selling commercial ‘survival food’ as the answer, we advocate for building your stockpile with familiar foods you probably already eat – all from your local grocery store or farmer’s markets.

During an emergency situation, the last thing you want to do is eat a bunch of weird survival foods that you’ve never eaten before – from possible allergy concerns to the stuff just downright tasting like crap, now is not the time to start experimenting. On top of that, we don’t like wasting money, so buying foods you already eat and running them on a rotation system that ensures you don’t find yourself years from now with a pantry full of expired food!

With the help of suggestions that have come in from our readers, we have compiled a list of the top food items and emergency supplies that you can buy at the grocery store. The list contains foods with a long shelf-life, items that have multiple uses, and supplies that are great for bartering.

Survival Foods that add flavor & comfort:

Comfort foods can be a huge morale booster during a stressful survival situation, something that needs to be kept in mind when starting to stockpile food. These four things can be stored for over 10 years, and are a great way to add a little bit of flavor to your cooking. If stored properly they will probably last indefinitely.

  1. Salt: From food preservation to maintaining proper electrolyte balance in the body to enhancing the flavor of your food, salt is an an essential part of your food storage stockpile!
  2. Sugar: – Brown or White sugars can be stored for quite some time and during emergencies or high-stress situations can help boost energy levels and provide a quick source of fuel. It can also be a huge morale booster when things start getting tough.
  3. Raw Honey: Honey has an incredibly long shelf life contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Honey has also been used for centuries as a natural remedy for wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
  4. Alcohol – Whiskey, Vodka, etc.: From bartering to health and medicinal uses, alcohol is one of those items that should be part of any good preparedness stockpile. Check out our article on which liquors are best to stockpile for preparedness.

Base cooking ingredients with a long shelf life

Survival Cooking Ingredients

Many people today lack the ability to cook anything from scratch, relying heavily on prepackaged and processed foods. This trend is unhealthy, but it could prove deadly during a long-term survival situation. Learning how to cook from basic ingredients is crucial for successfully preparing for emergencies and ensuring self-sufficiency in food storage.

The following categories of food make up the foundation of most recipes and are all things that store well.

Hard Grains: Stored properly hard grains have a shelf life of around 10 – 12 years.

  1. Buckwheat
  2. Dry Corn
  3. Kamut
  4. Hard Red Wheat
  5. Soft White Wheat
  6. Millet
  7. Durum wheat
  8. Spelt

Soft grains: These soft grains will last around 8 years at 70 degrees, sealed without oxygen.

  1. Barley,
  2. Oat Groats,
  3. Quinoa
  4. Rye

Beans: Sealed and kept away from oxygen the following beans can last for around 8 – 10 years.

  1. Pinto Beans
  2. Kidney Beans
  3. Lentils
  4. Lima Beans
  5. Adzuki Beans
  6. Garbanzo Beans
  7. Mung Beans
  8. Black Turtle Beans
  9. Blackeye Beans

Flours and Mixes and Pastas: 5 – 8 years

  1. All Purpose Flour
  2. White Flour
  3. Whole Wheat Flour
  4. Cornmeal
  5. Pasta
  6. White Rice ( up to 10 years)

Oils: It’s important to include fats in your stockpile. Fats are a concentrated source of energy and are crucial for overall health and well-being.

  1. Coconut oil – Unrefined, virgin coconut oil has one of the longest shelf lives of any kind of oil. It can last for over 2 years, has numerous health benefits, and is a great item to add to your survival food supply list.
  2. Clarified butter (Ghee): Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is butter that has been heated to remove moisture and milk solids. The process increases the fats stability and extends its shelf life. Ghee can last for several months to a year when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
  3. Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil has a decent shelf life and can be stored for up to a year or more if kept in a cool, dark location.

For more information on cooking from scratch, check out these articles and books:

What About Buying Canned Goods for your Survival Pantry?

Proper Storage and Shelf Life of Canned Goods

We get a lot of questions on canned goods and how long they can safely be stored. To ensure the quality and safety of canned goods, it’s important to store them correctly and be aware of how long the manufacturer recommends they be stored. And remember, most best-by dates are placed there to protect the manufacturer from lawsuits, The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely. In fact, they say canned goods will last for years and that dating is for quality, not safety.

Here are some guidelines to follow when dealing with store-bought canned goods and most shelf-stable foods:

1. Storage: Keep commercially canned foods and other shelf-stable products in a cool, dry location. Avoid placing them above the stove, under the sink, or in areas prone to high humidity or temperature fluctuations, such as a damp garage or basement.

2. Shelf life: The shelf life of canned goods varies depending on the type of food. High-acid foods like tomatoes and fruits maintain their best quality for up to 18 months, while low-acid foods such as meat and vegetables can maintain their original quality for 2 to 5 years. But again, if cans are undamaged (no dents, swelling, or rust) and have been stored properly in a cool, clean, dry environment, they can remain safe indefinitely.

3. Safety precautions: While extremely rare, the production of toxins by Clostridium botulinum bacteria poses the most significant risk when dealing with canned goods. To minimize the risk, make sure your cans are in good condition and show no signs of damage or contamination. If any cans appear compromised (bulges or leaks), it’s best to get rid of them to avoid any potential health hazards.

For more information on canning your own foods at home, check out our article on Canning your own food!

Survival Foods that are great during short-term disasters

Canned Foods for Emergency Situations

The following items are great for short-term emergencies, and will stay fresh for a long period of time. During most disasters, you’re going to want to have food that requires very little cooking, or can be eaten without any preparation at all. Make sure some of your stockpile includes these types of food.

Other good survival foods: 2 – 5 years of shelf life

  1. Canned Fish: Tuna, Salmon, Sardines
  2. Canned Meats: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Spam & Sausages
  3. Canned Vegetables & Fruits
  4. Peanut Butter
  5. Coffee
  6. Tea
  7. Ramen Noodles – not the greatest food in the world but they are very cheap so they made the survival food list.
  8. Hard Candy
  9. Powdered milk
  10. Dried herbs and spices
  11. Canned soups (a variety of flavors)
  12. Canned pasta sauces
  13. Canned broth or stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
  14. Crackers or rice cakes
  15. Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries)
  16. Nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts)
  17. Granola bars or energy bars
  18. Cereal or granola

Items that can be used for more than cooking:

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar – Cleaning, cooking and has antibiotic properties
  2. Baking Soda – Cleaning, cooking, etc…
  3. Honey – Mentioned again for its antibiotic properties and wound healing.

Nonfood items to stock up on at the grocery store:

  1. Bic Lighters
  2. Toilet Paper
  3. Soaps
  4. Bottled Water
  5. Multi-vitamins or supplements
  6. Medicines
  7. Bandages
  8. Peroxide
  9. Lighter fluid
  10. Canning Supplies
  11. Charcoal

More Emergency Food Resources

While we always advise the DIY approach to stockpiling food, this way you have the things that you would normally cook and eat and can then rotate them in and out of your normal life, there are some circumstances where commercially made survival food supplies might make sense. Here are some of the top emergency survival foods that can help you quickly bulk up your emergency supplies.

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31 Comments

  1. Theresa. I am a 62 yr old woman on my own. Just lost almost everything. I am currently living in a recycled FEMA trailer in an RV Park. You say you can’t start to prepare??? You can!!! For the first time in my life I had to go,once only to a food bank. I picked beans, rice, powdered milk, flour,oatmeal, sugar,oil, canned fish, veggies, fruit. Many things others didn’t want. I hitched a ride to the local library and picked up a couple of books on foraging. Chatting with neighbors, I was able to borrow a fishing pole, dug for worms and have been fishing most days. I planted some of those dry beans, ” borrowed” a potato and it is now planted to make 6 hills. Watermelon, cantaloupe, squash are all in the ground and growing from found/free seed. The local store was throwing out unsold tomato plants and they too are in the ground with some pepper seeds. I have found mushrooms, wild berries, a pecan tree. all sorts of edible wild greens. I have only been where I am for 6 weeks. I don’t have hot water or stove/oven I do have a microwave and barbecue. I have a very functional solar oven. I am well on my way to having a stockpile. I am disabled from an accident 6 months ago. After electricity and lot rental is paid, I have $70/month. It isn’t easy but it is manageable. I have everyone around me saving jars. I ask them to throw their bones and veggie peelings in a bag in their freezer.I collect it once a week for soup. I asked for the ends of celery and lettuce. 6 each are now rooted and growing in my garden. I have borrowed a turkey roaster. I can bake, roast and CAN in it as well as use it to make the soup. You just need to think outside the box. I am eating fairly well….not like I used to but I am not hungry.

    • Hi Marilyn. Thank you for sharing your beautiful spirit with us. In reading your circumstance, what came to my mind is the fact that happiness and even health is not based on the material world. It might not be easy for you but you have abundance developing in your life. And your diet, while limited, is actually very healthy. You are the kind of person I treasure. Know that I am remembering you in my prayers and I am proud of your bright shining spirit, beautiful mind, and noble efforts.
      Be blessed.

    • Marilyn is the EXCAT kind of person that everyone needs in there SHTF plans. That goes to show that older translates to wiser and experienced!

      • Religion,as the world understands it,is a coitilapmon of lies that seek to blur the lines of individuality+bind people together under a false set of right and wrongs within acceptable society.Religion is ritual+and a venue by which one can live without taking personal responsibility for ones actions+a method to cope with guilt+loneliness.Religion isnt Faith,Christianity isnt legalism,its a relationship with a Person named Jesus+acceptance of his unconditional love independent of others.

    • Marilyn – I’m awestruck – you are truly an inspiration! Thank you for sharing. I will remember you in my prayers. God Bless!

  2. I’m preparing our BOB this month and have been stock piling items for them. I’m also going to get 2 gallon zip locks (have used them for years for suitcases) and have “cold weather” and a “hot weather” bag with appropriate clothes so we can easiy grab whatever we need for the time of year. I bought a couple of rolling duffle bags and will put designated items in each such as cooking equipment or survival camping items, if we think we will be gone for more than 3 days. I’m trying to make the BOB a 3-day emergency unit, only. One thing I haven’t seen suggested is to include a supply of thin panty liners (women’s hygiene) for both the male and female BOB. By using a liner and changing it every day, all you need is one or two pairs of underwear and keep them resonably clean and fresh. I’ve done this on long trips and it works great.

  3. my mother in law is in her eighties and has taught me how to use animal manure for the vegetable garden. because of her i have learned how to plant crops, how to save water during a rain and also how to trap. The older generation have a lot of wisdom for us young ones.

  4. As a Katrina & Gustav survivor (out of electric 9/8days) there will be NO FOOD to purchase. Men w Chain saws had to clear many trees just to get to a main road. Power lines were down everywhere & many across roads for weeks. Gasoline prices were extremely high, cash only, wait in line 4 hours, limited to $50.00 a customer. Do not depend on freezer or refrigerated foods. Towers were down so no communication. Bank vaults in New Orleans were underwater so cash hard to get. It takes so little to take our sweet little world away quickly. You’ll need bullets for snakes, starving abandoned animals, alligators, coyotes(Timber Wolves which r thriving all over America). In Louisiana there are over 600 poisonous plants in the wild. I was bed bound for 6 weeks with Poison Ivy. My advice: the first “hint” of disaster get UR kids & family(if possible) & find a “Hiding Place”…that’s well stocked far far ahead. If u r in an automobile be sure u have something to potty in. My daughter & Grandkids were in the auto on Interstate for around 12 hours with no possibility of exiting & restrooms. Keep a cooler & water in UR vehicle at all times. May God help us all in this sad hour 8(

  5. You should also include non-prescription medical supplies such as Advil, Aspren, Hydro-cordizone cream with Alo-vera, Rubbing alchol, gauze, splints, Iodine, LOTS of toilet paper and tooth paste/brushes and anything else that not only can be used to help you but can also be traded. If you can, stock up on prescription medical supplies. Don’t count on Uncle Sam. He is too busy trying to screw taxpayers.

  6. Along with the lighter fluid, stock up on some flints too. Walmart has them in a pack of 6 for forty cents a pack.

    • Dan, Judging from your comments, I’m guessing you’re a young whippersnapper. I’m glad to know there’s at least one young person posting here.

      So, where are you located? When the poop hits the fan, I’m gonna want someone young and tender and unable to fight back to be my bitch.

    • Youth is an advantage to an extent. Your strength and cardio is the main advantage that you have. Even though you sit infront of a tv playing video games all day. But unfortunately your minds are not where they need to be. The older generation has the wisdom, experience, and the courage that you young buck retards dont have now days. And they can spell “buying”

  7. Just a comment and question on Bic lighters. In my experience, they don’t work very well, if at all, in cold situations – say in the teens Fahrenheit. I had to keep mine inside my clothing to make it work effectively. (Apparently the cold reduces the pressure inside so too little gas comes out.) So if you’re going to be needing a fire source in cold weather, you may want matches or fire-steels.

    Anybody have similar or contrary experiences?

    • Rub the lighter in your hands to warm it up and it will work just fine. I have this problem on my morning commute to work when I leave my lighter in the car over night.

  8. some of u are real Aholes, larie, u can find many lists on the web if u have trouble, write down what u really need during a week and start there, then add a reliable weapon that u can handle, maybe a 20 ga shotgun or a 9mm handgun and maybe find a small country store, just walk through and see what they have on the shelves. Most of these small mom and pop stores carry what people need and not alot of nonessentials and dont count on your cash helping, if the stores are closed your money wont help. And dont forget about heat, if the electric is down u will need an alternate scource

  9. I always see lighters, matches, flints and lighter fluid mentioned for survival kits. Every kit should always contain a magnifying glass also. OK… It will not work at night or when it is cloudy but the sun always comes back out and when it does you are always guaranteed a fire by simply focusing the suns rays through the lens into some dry grass twigs or paper. In an emergency, a pair of strong eyeglasses will do the job for you too.

  10. I think we gave ole Frank too much of our time. Lets Get back to giving each other tips on how to stay alive.

  11. My parents, and their neighbors, lost their homes a few years ago in the big MS River flood. They were unprepared for such a devastating event. The Red Cross provided them food and temporary shelter. The Red Cross is a wonderful organization, but I am sure they will not be available to offer help in a massive destruction scenario.
    My question is this: My 2 adult children, their spouses and children are planning our long term survival plan. We live in an extremely small town and each have a very small apartment. I am storing our supplies in my 1 bedroom apartment. We would all like to be able to be together when the SHTF, but I am afraid we will all drive each other crazy after a few days. The men are well versed in weapons, hunting abilities and fishing. I am learning to can and hydrate food. I have numerous neighbors who think we are crazy preparing for disaster, but I am sure they will be the first ones knocking at my door for help. Any suggestions on how a family of 6 adults and 2 children can live long term in these conditions?
    God bless you all!

    • Janet ,
      Yes mam I do have sound advice . DO NOT LET YOR NIEGHBORS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING . They would be the first people to tell your bussiness and the first people to break down your door to get what you have worked hard to prepare . DO NOT let them know a single thing . As a matter of fact you might want to convince them it was just a fase you were going through . and store your supplies else where . car , deer camp , pop up camper or storage center . As far as preperation I would suggest a pop-up camper they are very easy to tow behind a small car and you can store every thing on the floor of the camper as you travel easy to deal with and you can pull them through the woods . ( Make sure you paint the roof a flat dark earth tone it gathers heat when its cold and helps camuflage it from air .)

  12. We have a little country store run by some really earthy folks. They offer bulk food ordering online and only charge 10% over what the product cost them to be brought to their store. Then you come pick it up. We have been getting 50lbs of whole wheat berries of just about any kind for $33.00… The co-op trys hard to not have any GMO junk and I have only seen a couple of bags that are 95% organic the rest are certified 100%..

  13. To those who think our older generations aren’t worth keeping around true they might be physically able to help with manual labor but in other areas definitely. For example cooking childcare and care for the injured and sick and there are lots of other light duty work that needs done. And for the predator people granny with a gun can still take you out.

  14. I think I saw it on here, but worth repeating….wooden clothes pins. Experience from many trips to the sandbox. Great info on here.

  15. Can’t believe that people have not listed a radiation detector. Sure a few hundred dollars is expensive, but this is a once in lifetime investment. After all how do you know it is safe to go out?

    Maybe people are not thinking of the event I am thinking of.

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