This week, we have seen our fair share of severe weather with tornadoes and thunderstorms (and not to mention an earthquake) in Ontario. And now, with Hurricane Irene on target to impact the Maritimes and possibly even Quebec, it’s a reminder to all of us to be prepared for emergencies. Part of that preparedness is to ensure our disaster food pantries are properly stocked in case the electricity goes out for long periods of time.
Photo from http://blog.foodnetwork.com
Here are some tips:
Water – Number one item on the list. Make sure you have enough water in you emergency kit for your family for 72 hours. The Canadian Red Cross recommends two litres for drinking and two litres for washing for each person per day. Don’t forget your pets! Bottled water should be replaced once-a-year.
Think easy to eat - Instant oatmeal is a great pantry item, except when you don’t have water or electricity. Same goes with pasta and rice. Think of food items that won’t be a hassle to eat in an emergency like granola bars and peanut butter.
Can’t go wrong with canned – Canned veggies, fruit, fish and meat are all great staples to have on-hand, and last for long periods of time. Make sure to add a can opener to your kit!
Comfort food is a must – Add a favourite food item to your kit. Ours is chocolate.
Another important tip: In an emergency, it’s best to always eat up all your perishables in your fridge and freezer before diving into your non-perishable stocks. If you have time to prepare, set your fridge and freezer at the coldest settings and keep the doors closed as long as possible.
Finally, here are some great emergency food resources:
The Healthy Hurricane/Disaster Cookbook by Dr. Marcia Magnus of Florida International University
Apocalypse Chow by Jon Robertson
The Storm Gourmet by Daphne Nikolopoulos
Emergency Food Storage and Survival Handbook by Peggy Layton
What food items are in your disaster pantry?
