Foods to Choose/Things to think about:

Ø       Shelf-stable foods (non-perishable foods that don’t need cooking or refrigeration) that are easily prepared.

Ø       Foods that appeal to family members.

Ø       Foods that are calorie- and protein-rich to help maintain energy and strength.

Ø       Foods needed to meet special dietary needs (such as for babies & toddlers, the elderly, diabetics and sick people).

Ø       Single serving (snack-sized canned goods) or one-meal canned foods to avoid leftovers.

Ø       Instant meals/soup mixes/powdered foods/freeze-dried foods will need water for reconstituting.

Ø       Foods packaged in cans or solid plastic containers will be more secure.  For foods packaged in lightweight plastic or paper, place them inside heavy zipper-lock plastic bags.

Ø       Avoid a lot of salty foods that will make you thirsty (dried foods like jerky, chips, crackers, etc.).

Ø       Avoid glass jars/bottled foods that are heavy/bulky/breakable.

v      A minimum 3-day supply of food and water is recommended.

DAIRY GROUP

□        Canned milk

□        Shelf-stable “boxes” of milk

□        ______________________________________________

□        ______________________________________________

BREAD AND CEREAL GROUP

□        Granola bars/compressed food bars

□        Crackers/snack crackers packs

□        Dry, ready-to-eat cereals

□        Instant oatmeal (requires safe water to reconstitute)

□        ______________________________________________

□        ______________________________________________

FRUIT GROUP

□        Dried fruits

□        Trail mixes (blends of granola, nuts, seeds, dried fruits)

□        Canned fruits

□        Canned juices

□        Shelf-stable “boxes” of juices

□        _____________________________________________

□        _____________________________________________

PROTEIN GROUP

□        Peanut butter/jelly

□        Nuts

□        Canned beans/chili

□        Canned fish, chicken, meats

□        _____________________________________________

□        _____________________________________________

VEGETABLE GROUP

□        Canned vegetables

□        Canned soups

□        _____________________________________________

□        _____________________________________________

DRINKING WATER

□        1 gallon per person per day (3 days minimum supply per person for drinking, food preparation, basic hygiene)

My family will need _________ gallons of water for a 3-day supply (3 days x 1 gallon per person x # of family members = safe drinking water needed)

□        Water for pets

PET NEEDS

□        Pet food and treats (comfort foods) / pet medications

OTHER FOOD ITEMS

□        Medications/vitamins

□        Staples like sugar, salt, and pepper

□        Comfort/Stress Foods like hard candy, cookies

□        Instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa

□        Soda

□        Special dietary foods (like ready-to-eat baby formula)

□        ___________________________________________

NON-FOOD ITEMS

□        Manual can opener

□        Scissors for plastic and foil packages

□        Plastic utensils

□        Disposable plates, bowls, cups

□        Plastic zipper-lock bags (various sizes)

□        Paper towels, napkins

□        Toilet paper

□        Sanitary hand wipes

□        Alcohol-based hand sanitizer

□        Garbage bags

□        _____________________________________________

□        _____________________________________________

FOR POST-HURRICANE CLEAN-UP

□        Newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite)

□        Rubber gloves

□        _____________________________________________

□        _____________________________________________

Distributed by (Betsy) Mary E. Crisp, Family & consumer Sciences

Credit to Collier county Extension, Jan Bennett, Extension Educator