Emergency Foods You Can Eat Without Cooking

Why no-cook food matters

No-cook food is useful because it removes fuel and appliance dependence. Choose foods that are shelf stable before opening and that fit your household's medical, dietary and allergy needs.

Ready-to-eat proteins

Ready-to-eat proteins 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.

Shelf-stable carbohydrates

Shelf-stable carbohydrates 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.

Fruit vegetables and snacks

Fruit vegetables and snacks 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.

Water needs still matter

Water needs still matter 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.