If the past few years have taught us anything, we can always be more prepared for the next emergency. From toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues to purified water storage, worldwide, we’ve discovered that our grocery stores won’t always be as well-stocked as we need. Having our own emergency stores can be the difference between going hungry and thriving.
As the need for food and water security has skyrocketed, many companies have flourished as they offer emergency preparedness kits of first aid supplies, water purification systems, and long-term food storage. However, with so many long-term food buckets available, how is the average consumer supposed to differentiate between the kits loaded with calories and those packed with gimmicks? We’ve taken a deep look at five of the most popular food buckets for long-term storage and will break them down into the most effective freeze-dried food sources with their pros and cons.
Ground rules
These buckets allot for the average human adult need of roughly 2,000 calories per day and will have various meal and side types in each. Since we’re only discussing food, we’ll be operating assuming that any water sources have been purified and made safe for consumption in excess to allow the rehydration of these freeze-dried foods. It is critical to note that should water become scarce, it’s best to prioritize drinking and hygiene while falling back on canned or shelf-stable ready-to-eat foods. Never ration water unless directed by emergency services, and keep contingencies in place to provide your family with easy-prep, non-dehydrated meals.
Low cost, high yield
Augason Farms
Augason Farm’s emergency preparedness buckets are sold online and in-person in various stores, making them the most accessible freeze-dried food buckets on the market. While ordering online from Augason directly can prove difficult currently, these buckets can be found in Walmart, Costco, and WinCo, in quantities from weekly meal extenders to three months of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. This bucket outperforms others in its price range, as these four-gallon buckets are squared off and easy to stack and forget. While meal kits start at $80, they also have individual ingredients available to rehydrate for your own cooking. However, the meals may not feature enough meat for many, and the meal pouches aren’t resealable, increasing the chances of food waste.
Prep for the whole family
ReadyWise
Featuring bug-out kits for every family member, ReadyWise has a wide selection of meal kits for adult humans and emergency food stores for your family pets as well! ReadyWise has gluten-free freeze-dried meals and buckets offering several months’ worth of organic fruits, vegetables, and soups. For $80, you can buy 52 servings of freeze-dried meals, and ReadyWise offers emergency backpacks, generators, and cooking kits to add to your stores! This remarkable company doesn’t offer individual meal packs, however, so ensuring your family will enjoy the meals before purchasing in bulk can be tricky. These pouches also aren’t resealable, increasing the chances of food waste while also needing to be cooked over a fire or stove.
Variety and Quality
My Patriot Supply
Rounding out our list of the best freeze-dried food companies, we have the insanely popular My Patriot Supply. This company has something for everyone, and no delicious niche has been left unfilled. Their coffee and milk bulk cases start at $60, and this company sets itself apart with a guaranteed average of 2,000 calories in each meal. Unopened, their packs have a 25-year shelf life, with another year of freshness after opening. Even with all their perks, these cases are a significant investment and can’t be prepared directly in their pouch. My Patriot Supply doesn’t offer bug-out bags, either, so in case of evacuation, the buckets or packs will need to be loaded into a vehicle or broken down into traveling amounts.