Emergency Water and Food Planning

Food plans depend on water

Water is not a side topic in food preparedness. Dry beans, rice, pasta and dehydrated foods may all increase water demand, so pantry planning should consider the water required to prepare the foods you store.

• Track drinking water separately from food-preparation water.
• Favor some foods that need little or no added water.
• Do not assume dry staples are low-resource meals.

Separate drinking and cooking assumptions

Separate drinking and cooking assumptions is best approached as part of a system rather than as an isolated trick. Match the food, packaging, preparation needs and storage conditions to the emergency you are planning for.

Dry staples can be water intensive

Dry staples can be water intensive is best approached as part of a system rather than as an isolated trick. Match the food, packaging, preparation needs and storage conditions to the emergency you are planning for.

• Track drinking water separately from food-preparation water.
• Favor some foods that need little or no added water.
• Do not assume dry staples are low-resource meals.

No-cook foods reduce water and fuel pressure

No-cook foods reduce water and fuel pressure is best approached as part of a system rather than as an isolated trick. Match the food, packaging, preparation needs and storage conditions to the emergency you are planning for.

• Track drinking water separately from food-preparation water.
• Favor some foods that need little or no added water.
• Do not assume dry staples are low-resource meals.

Store and rotate water appropriately

Store and rotate water appropriately is best approached as part of a system rather than as an isolated trick. Match the food, packaging, preparation needs and storage conditions to the emergency you are planning for.

• Track drinking water separately from food-preparation water.
• Favor some foods that need little or no added water.
• Do not assume dry staples are low-resource meals.

Build the next layer

A resilient pantry improves in layers. Use the related guides below to connect this topic to storage, meal planning and the commercial decision points that matter.