12 Essentials To Include On Your Hurricane Food Shopping List

Hurricane season starts June 1st, but it's never too early to start thinking about your hurricane preparedness plans. When it comes to food, it's important to stock up on non-perishable items that will last you through potentially extended power outages and can be prepared without electricity if necessary. In this article, we'll go over essential foods to include on your hurricane shopping list so you and your family are well-prepared for any storm.

Canned and Shelf-Stable Foods

Canned goods top the list of hurricane food staples as they require no refrigeration and have an extremely long shelf life of up to 5 years. Load up your pantry shelves with canned meats like chicken, tuna, ham, and beef stew. These proteins provide sustaining energy and important nutrients. Don't forget canned beans, vegetables, soups, and fruit that offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Peanut butter is another shelf-stable protein source. Look for cans that are BPA-free lined.

Some other canned and shelf-stable items essential to stock include:

Canned pasta like ravioli or spaghettiOs
Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, salsa
Broth or stock in cartons
Canned beans like black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans
Canned nuts or meat spreads like spam
Canned or dried milk (evaporated milk or powdered milk)
Dried fruits like raisins or cranberries
Canned juices (100% juice that does not need refrigeration)
Granola bars, breakfast bars, nuts
Crackers, Saltines
Dried cereals
High energy/nutrient dense snacks like trail mix

Don't forget staples like rice, pasta, flour, sugar to use with canned goods and non-perishable ingredients. Rotating through your canned supply every 6 months helps keep items fresh. With the right variety, canned goods provide balanced nutrition during an extended power outage.

Staple Foods You Can Cook Without Power

Another hurricane food shopping priority is items you can cook without electricity using a camp stove, grill, or fireplace. Stock up on dried beans and lentils which you can boil or simmer on a camping stove to serve with rice or quinoa. Canned chicken or tuna plus other canned ingredients can easily be turned into Chicken and Dumplings or tuna noodle casserole on an outdoor stove-top.

Some other top choices for cooking without power include:

Pasta
Rice
Oats
Jarred sauces like pasta sauce, enchilada sauce, etc.
Dried soup mixes
Freeze-dried backpacking meals
Beef or vegetable bouillon cubes
Freeze-dried or dehydrated veggies
Freeze-dried eggs
Backpacking fuel and cookware like sterno cans, mess kits, pots and pans

With the right non-perishable ingredients, you can prepare warm, balanced meals even if the power goes out for days due to hurricane damage.

Water and Beverages

Don't overlook water, juices, sports drinks and hydrating beverages on your hurricane shopping list. Without power, tap water may not be safe to drink so it's smart to stock bottled water sufficient for 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day. And you'll want beverages to keep morale and hydration levels up.

Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day minimum)
100% fruit juices in shelf-stable containers
Sports drinks for rehydration

Flavored drink mixes
Powdered Gatorade, Propel, Emergen-C
Coffee, tea bags
Hot chocolate packets
Broth or bullion cubes

Shelf-stable milk is another option but check the expiration. Rotate water every 6 months. Choose beverages high in electrolytes like sports drinks or flavored electrolyte powders to replace sodium lost in sweat due to heat and stress.

Staying Hydrated Keeps You Healthy

Snacks, Sweets, and Comfort Foods

Don't forget snack foods, sweets, and comfort foods as part of your hurricane pantry. Even the healthiest folks tend to gravitate towards indulgent snacks when coping with stress. Stock some fun shelf-stable treats in moderation to boost morale.

Some ideas include:

Granola bars, protein bars
Fruit snacks, fruit cups
Trail mix, nuts
Dried fruit like apricots or mango
Jerky or smoked salmon
Cheese crackers or snack packs
Pudding cups
Cookies, crackers
Hard candy or gum
Hot chocolate, coffee, tea
Flavored drink mixes
Shelf-stable baked goods like cornbread, muffins, biscuits

Having favorite snack foods and indulgent comfort items provides happiness and normalcy during a stressful storm situation. Just be mindful not to overdo calories from non-nutritious sources.

Food Safety Essentials

Don't forget food safety supplies as part of your hurricane shopping list. Protecting your food is key to prevent foodborne illness in warm conditions after a storm. Stock up on the following items:

Coolers with ice to keep refrigerator/freezer foods cool if power outage
Ice (purchase extra ice ahead of storm if power may be out)
Water purification tablets/filter
Manual can opener
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Resealable bags
Paper plates, cups, utensils
Garbage bags
Basic cooking gear like pots, pans, dish soap
Hand sanitizer
Bleach (unscented for sanitizing surfaces)
Thermometers (food and interior/exterior)

Properly handling and storing foods helps ensure you stay healthy after a hurricane when medical help may be delayed. Safety should be the top priority when selecting storm provisions.

Prepare Now, Stay Safe Later

Stocking the essential hurricane foods outlined here means you'll have nutritional sustenance no matter what happens with power, infrastructure, or grocery availability after a major storm. Take time now, before the disaster, to thoughtfully prepare so you can face post-hurricane challenges with less stress. Make your hurricane pantry equitable for all household members to stay strong together. Double check expiration dates and begin rotating older items forward so nothing goes to waste. With the right provisions, you'll ride out any storm safely and comfortably.