Best Emergency Food Supply for Earthquake Preparedness (2025): Freeze-Dried, Bars, MREs, and Canned Food Compared

Last updated: February 2025

Key Takeaways

• FEMA recommends a minimum 3-day food supply per person, with 2 weeks as the ideal target. Plan for approximately 2,000 calories per person per day.
• Freeze-dried meals (Mountain House, Augason Farms, ReadyWise) offer the longest shelf life — up to 25–30 years — and the widest meal variety, but most require hot water to prepare.
• Emergency food bars (Datrex, SOS Food Labs, Mainstay) are the simplest option — no preparation needed, extremely compact, and rated for 5 years. They're calorie-dense but monotonous for multi-day use.
• MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) require no water or cooking and include self-heating elements, making them ideal immediately after an earthquake when gas may be off and water may be limited.
• After an earthquake, your cooking ability may be severely limited — gas lines may be shut off, electric stoves won't work, and water for rehydrating freeze-dried meals may be scarce. Plan food options that account for this reality.
• Don't overlook canned food rotation — keeping a deep pantry of regular canned goods you eat and replace is the most cost-effective long-term strategy.

Why Food Matters After an Earthquake

When a significant earthquake strikes, grocery stores close. Even if buildings remain standing, supply chains are disrupted — delivery trucks can't navigate damaged roads, and warehouses may be inaccessible. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, many stores in the affected area were either damaged or ran out of essentials within hours of reopening.

The situation becomes much worse in a large-scale event. Seismologists have long warned that a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake or a significant San Andreas rupture could affect millions of people simultaneously, overwhelming emergency food distribution for weeks.

Having your own food supply isn't paranoia — it's the recommendation of every major emergency management agency. FEMA recommends a minimum 3-day supply that you can sustain yourself without any outside help, with 2 weeks as a more realistic target for major disasters.

The key planning numbers: 2,000 calories per person per day and 1 gallon of water per person per day. For a family of four preparing for 2 weeks, that's 112,000 calories of food and 56 gallons of water.

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Understanding Emergency Food Categories

Freeze-Dried Meals

Commercially prepared meals where water has been removed through freeze-drying, dramatically extending shelf life (25–30 years for quality brands). To prepare, add hot or boiling water directly to the pouch, wait 8–12 minutes, and eat. The food reconstitutes to near-original taste and texture. Available in a wide variety of recipes — from beef stroganoff to scrambled eggs. Lightweight and compact, making them ideal for storage.

Earthquake caveat: Most freeze-dried meals need hot water for proper preparation. They can be eaten with cold water, but taste and texture suffer significantly. After an earthquake, if gas and electric service is disrupted, you'll need an alternative way to heat water — a camping stove, portable butane stove, or the stove included in some emergency kits.

Emergency Food Bars

Dense, calorie-packed bars designed specifically for emergency use. They're compact, don't require any preparation or water, and have a 5-year shelf life. They meet U.S. Coast Guard standards for emergency marine rations. Typically flavored with coconut or vanilla and have a cookie-like texture.

Earthquake advantage: Completely self-contained. You can eat them immediately with no water, no cooking, and no preparation. This makes them ideal for the immediate aftermath of an earthquake when everything is chaotic.

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)

Military-style complete meals that include an entree, sides, dessert, beverage, and a flameless ration heater that activates with a small amount of water. No cooking equipment needed. Each MRE provides 1,200–1,300 calories. Shelf life is typically 5–7 years when stored at reasonable temperatures.

Earthquake advantage: The flameless ration heater means you can have a hot meal with just a few ounces of water — no stove, no fuel, no fire. In a post-earthquake environment where gas is off and open flames may be dangerous near damaged structures, this is a significant practical advantage.

Canned Food Rotation

Standard canned goods from the grocery store — soups, beans, vegetables, tuna, chicken, fruit. Shelf life of 2–5 years. This approach integrates emergency food storage with your regular grocery shopping by maintaining a deeper pantry and rotating stock.

Earthquake advantage: You already know the food tastes good because you eat it regularly. Most canned food can be eaten without heating. The downside is weight and space — canned food is much heavier per calorie than freeze-dried alternatives.

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Top 8 Emergency Food Products Compared

Prices are approximate and fluctuate. "Servings" as listed by manufacturers can be misleading — many brands define a serving as 200–250 calories, which is far below a meal-sized portion. Always calculate by total calories, not serving count.

Detailed Reviews

Freeze-Dried Meals: Long Shelf Life and Variety

Mountain House — The gold standard for freeze-dried emergency food. Mountain House has been making freeze-dried meals since 1969 (originally for military contracts and NASA) and offers a 30-year taste guarantee — the longest proven shelf life in the industry. Their meals are made with real ingredients, pre-cooked, and then freeze-dried, meaning they're ready to eat after adding hot water and waiting about 8–10 minutes. The taste is genuinely good — beef stroganoff, chili mac with beef, chicken fajita bowl, and breakfast skillets are popular options.

The 14-Day Emergency Supply includes 84 servings across multiple entrees and breakfast options, providing approximately 1,700 calories per day for one person. That's slightly below the recommended 2,000 calories, so you may want to supplement with additional food. $150–$200. Best for: the best-tasting freeze-dried emergency food with the longest proven shelf life.

The 3-Day Emergency Supply with 18 servings is a more accessible starting point at $50–$70, covering one person for a long weekend of emergencies.

Mountain House's limitation is cost per calorie — it's one of the more expensive options. But given that this food might sit in your closet for 20+ years and needs to actually taste acceptable when you're stressed and hungry, the quality premium is justifiable.

Augason Farms — A popular budget-friendly alternative with a wide range of individual items and pre-packaged supply kits. Their 30-Day Emergency Supply (307 servings) provides a mix of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drink mixes in a portable pail. Individual items are available in sealed #10 cans with shelf lives up to 25–30 years. $120–$170 for the 30-day kit. Best for: maximum food quantity per dollar for long-term storage.

Augason Farms offers a broader range of individual ingredients — freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins in #10 cans — which lets you build a more customized emergency pantry. The taste is generally rated a step below Mountain House, and some products are dehydrated rather than freeze-dried (dehydrated food typically has a shorter shelf life and mushier texture when reconstituted). The serving sizes tend to be smaller and lower-calorie than the label suggests at first glance.

ReadyWise (formerly Wise Company) — A mid-range option that frequently offers competitive pricing. Their meals come in Mylar pouches inside stackable buckets, making storage convenient. The 120-serving Emergency Supply includes a variety of entrees and breakfasts with a 25-year shelf life. $85–$120. Best for: a budget-friendly step up from bars with decent variety.

ReadyWise has faced some criticism over the years for smaller-than-expected serving sizes and calorie counts — their "120 servings" may provide significantly fewer actual meals than the number implies. Always check the total calorie count rather than relying on the serving number on the package. That said, the price per calorie is competitive, and the taste is reasonable.

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Emergency Food Bars: Simplest Possible Solution

Datrex 3600 Calorie Emergency Food Bar — Individual packets within a vacuum-sealed outer package, each providing 200 calories in a compact, coconut-flavored bar. A single 3,600-calorie pack provides roughly 1.5 days of survival-level calories for one person. U.S. Coast Guard approved, designed for marine life rafts where preparation ability is essentially zero. Non-thirst-provoking (important when water is limited). Withstands extreme temperatures. 5-year shelf life. $8–$12 per 3,600-calorie pack. Best for: grab-and-go kits, car kits, office kits, or any scenario where simplicity matters most.

These bars are the simplest possible emergency food — tear open the package and eat. No water, no cooking, no utensils. After an earthquake, when you're sitting in the dark amid aftershocks, the simplicity of just eating a bar has real value. The downside is that coconut-flavored survival bars get monotonous fast, and the calorie density means they're compact but not exactly satisfying as "meals."

SOS Food Labs 3600 Calorie Bar — Very similar to Datrex in concept. U.S. Coast Guard approved, 5-year shelf life, individually wrapped sub-packets within a larger package. Apple-cinnamon flavor option provides some variety from the standard coconut. Also non-thirst-provoking. $7–$10 per 3,600-calorie pack. Best for: an alternative flavor option to Datrex with identical reliability.

Both Datrex and SOS Food Labs emergency bars are nearly interchangeable in quality and purpose. If you can find both, buying some of each provides minor flavor variety.

MREs: Hot Meals Without Cooking

XMRE 1300XT — Civilian-market MREs that closely mirror what the military uses. Each meal includes an entree, side dish, dessert, bread or crackers, spread (peanut butter, jelly, or cheese), beverage mix, utensils, and a flameless ration heater (FRH). The FRH activates with just a small amount of water and heats the entree to serving temperature in about 12 minutes — no stove, no fire, no significant water use. Each meal provides approximately 1,300 calories. Menu options include spaghetti with meat sauce, chili with beans, beef stew, chicken fajita, and more. Shelf life of 5 years at 80°F (lower at higher storage temperatures). $90–$130 for a case of 12 meals. Best for: complete, no-cook hot meals immediately after an earthquake.

MREs are heavier and bulkier per calorie than freeze-dried meals, but they offer a critical advantage: you can have a hot, complete meal with minimal water and zero cooking equipment. In the first 24–48 hours after a major earthquake, when you may not have a functioning stove and your water supply is limited, MREs are arguably the most practical option.

The main drawbacks are cost, weight, and shorter shelf life compared to freeze-dried alternatives. MRE shelf life is also highly temperature-dependent — stored in a hot garage at 100°F, they may only last 6 months. Keep them in a cool, climate-controlled space.

Canned Food Rotation: The Most Cost-Effective Approach

While not a specific product to buy, maintaining a deep canned food pantry is the most economical long-term emergency food strategy. The approach is simple: buy more canned goods than you need during regular grocery shopping, use the oldest first, and replace what you use.

A practical canned food emergency pantry might include: canned beans (high protein, high calorie), canned tuna and chicken (protein), canned soups and stews (complete meals), canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter (calorie-dense, long shelf life), crackers, and shelf-stable energy bars.

The advantages are clear: the food is familiar, it requires no special preparation (most canned foods can be eaten at room temperature if necessary), and the cost per calorie is very low. A single can of chunky soup provides 400+ calories for $2–$3.

The disadvantages: canned food is heavy, takes significant storage space, has a shorter shelf life (2–5 years) than freeze-dried options, and requires regular rotation to prevent expiration. It's also less portable if you need to evacuate.

The recommended approach: combine methods. Keep a rotating canned food pantry for the foundation of your food preparedness (it's food you eat anyway). Add freeze-dried meals for true long-term storage that you can set and forget for decades. Keep emergency food bars in your grab-and-go earthquake kit and car kit. And consider a case of MREs for the immediate aftermath when cooking and water may not be available.

Earthquake-Specific Food Considerations

Earthquakes create food challenges that other disasters don't:

Gas may be shut off. After an earthquake, gas utility companies often shut down lines in affected areas, and residents are instructed to shut off their own gas if they smell leaks. This means your gas stove likely won't work. Plan for food that either doesn't need cooking or can be prepared with a portable butane stove or the stove included in some emergency kits.

Water may be contaminated or unavailable. Broken water mains are common after significant earthquakes. Freeze-dried meals that require 1–2 cups of boiling water per serving are great in theory, but if your water supply is limited, you may not want to use it for food preparation. Emergency bars and MREs use little to no water — factor this into your planning.

You may not be at home. Earthquakes strike without warning, unlike hurricanes. Your freeze-dried meal supply in the closet doesn't help if you're at work or in your car when the earthquake hits. Keep small, portable food supplies (bars or small MRE-style meals) in your car, at your office, and in any other location where you spend significant time.

Aftershocks make cooking dangerous. Open flames and boiling water become hazards during ongoing aftershocks, which can continue for days or weeks after the main event. The flameless heaters in MREs and the simplicity of food bars are safer options during active aftershock sequences.

Stress affects appetite and digestion. After a major earthquake, many people experience stress-related appetite loss or nausea. Having familiar, comforting food helps. This is another argument for quality freeze-dried meals (which taste like real food) over pure survival bars (which are functional but not comforting). If you have children, familiar foods make an enormous difference in managing stress.

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Buying Guide: What to Look For

Calculating How Much You Need

The math is straightforward:

2,000 calories × number of people × number of days = total calories needed

For a family of four preparing for 2 weeks: 2,000 × 4 × 14 = 112,000 calories

Don't trust "serving counts" on emergency food packages. Manufacturers sometimes define a serving as 200–250 calories — that's a snack, not a meal. Always look at the total calorie count for the entire package and divide by 2,000 to determine how many person-days of food it actually provides.

Key Features to Evaluate

Shelf life — Freeze-dried meals offer 25–30 years if stored properly. MREs last 5–7 years at moderate temperatures. Emergency bars last 5 years. Canned goods last 2–5 years. Longer shelf life means less rotation and replacement hassle.

Calories per dollar — Emergency bars win this category easily. Freeze-dried bulk options (Augason Farms, ReadyWise buckets) are competitive. Mountain House is more expensive per calorie but delivers better taste. MREs are the most expensive per calorie.

Preparation requirements — Does it need water? Hot water? Cooking equipment? For earthquake preparedness, having at least some food that requires zero preparation is essential.

Dietary restrictions — Gluten-free, vegetarian, and allergen-free options are available from most major brands, but selection is more limited. Mountain House offers several gluten-free options. Check ingredients carefully if dietary needs are critical.

Storage conditions — Freeze-dried food needs cool, dry storage. MRE shelf life drops dramatically in heat. Food bars are the most temperature-tolerant. If your storage area is a hot garage in Arizona, that affects which products make sense.

Taste — This matters more than preppers want to admit. After a traumatic event, familiar, good-tasting food provides psychological comfort that genuinely helps. Food you won't eat in a real emergency is food wasted.

What to Avoid

• "Too good to be true" serving counts — A bucket that claims "1-year supply" for $200 will deliver starvation-level calories. Do the math.
• Expired or near-expiration products from third-party sellers — Buy from authorized retailers or directly from manufacturers.
• Relying entirely on one food type — An all-bars diet for a week will be miserable. An all-freeze-dried approach fails if you don't have water or cooking ability. Mix and match.
• Storing food and never checking it — Inspect annually. Check for damaged packaging, pest intrusion, and approaching expiration dates.

FAQ

How many calories per day do I actually need in an emergency?

FEMA uses 2,000 calories per day per person as a planning baseline. In a survival situation with physical activity (cleanup, walking, carrying supplies), actual needs may be higher — 2,500–3,000 calories. Children need fewer calories (1,200–1,800 depending on age). For planning purposes, 2,000 per person per day is a solid minimum target.

Can I eat freeze-dried food without hot water?

Technically, yes — you can add cold water and wait longer (20–30 minutes instead of 8–10), though the texture and taste will be noticeably worse. Some items reconstitute with cold water better than others; simpler dishes like oatmeal or soup work reasonably well, while meat-heavy entrees become unpleasantly chewy. For earthquake preparedness, it's wise to have a portable butane stove or camp stove available for heating water.

What's the most cost-effective emergency food strategy?

A deep canned food pantry that you rotate through during regular eating is the most economical baseline — you're not spending extra money on special products; you're just buying more of what you already eat. Supplement with a bucket of freeze-dried meals ($85–$170) for true long-term storage, and keep a few packets of Datrex or SOS Food Labs bars ($8–$12 each) in your grab-and-go kit and car. Total investment for a solid 2-week food supply for one person: $150–$300.

How should I store emergency food for maximum shelf life?

Cool, dry, and dark. Ideal storage temperatures are 55–70°F. Every 10°F increase above 70°F roughly halves the effective shelf life of most stored food. A climate-controlled closet or bedroom is far better than an unconditioned garage. Avoid areas prone to moisture, flooding, or pest access. Keep food off the floor and in sealed containers to protect against rodents and insects.

Do emergency food bars actually taste good?

They're functional, not gourmet. Most coconut-flavored emergency bars (Datrex, Mainstay) taste like dense, slightly sweet shortbread cookies. They're perfectly edible and designed to be non-offensive, but after eating them for several meals in a row, most people are ready for something different. That's why variety in your food supply matters — bars for immediate use, real meals for sustained emergencies.

Should I buy a premade food supply bucket or build my own?

Premade buckets from Mountain House, Augason Farms, and ReadyWise offer convenience and are usually cheaper than buying equivalent individual items. However, they may include meal varieties you don't like or have dietary incompatibilities. A good compromise: buy a premade bucket for the core of your supply, then supplement with individual items you've tried and know you enjoy. Mountain House sells individual pouches for about $8–$15 each that you can sample before committing to a large supply.

Sources

1. FEMA — Food Safety and Emergency Preparedness: https://www.ready.gov/food
2. American Red Cross — Survival Kit Supplies: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html
3. Mountain House — Product Specifications and Shelf Life: https://mountainhouse.com/
4. Augason Farms — Product Information: https://www.augasonfarms.com/
5. ReadyWise — Emergency Food Products: https://readywise.com/
6. USDA — Shelf-Stable Food Safety: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/shelf-stable-food-safety