The best emergency food supplies
Freeze-dried meals, food buckets and ration bars with a long shelf life.
Updated October 6, 2026
Emergency food comes down to three things: days covered, calories a day and preparation. Ready.gov advises keeping at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food. The timed kits here run from three days to 45 days for one person.
Ready.gov suggests foods that need no refrigeration or cooking and no water or special preparation. The ration bars here are ready to eat as they are. The pouch kits need water and some need a stove. Shelf life and calorie figures are claims by the maker.
The shortlist, ranked
How the score works- 1
Three days of freeze-dried pouch meals for one person with a 30-year taste guarantee.
- Servings: 18
- Calories per day: approx. 1,706 (stated)
- Shelf life: 30 (30-year taste guarantee)
- Days: 3
Why it is here: Meals rehydrate in the pouch so no pots or dishes are needed.
- 2
Twelve freeze-dried pouches in a stackable bucket with a 30-year taste guarantee.
- Servings: 24
- Shelf life: 30 (30-year taste guarantee)
- Preparation: add water (hot preferred) to pouch; 18 cups water for the whole bucket
- Weight: 5.52 lb (2.5 kg)
Why it is here: Beef Stew and Beef Stroganoff each come in three pouches for repeat dinners.
- 3
Nine pre-measured 400 calorie bars per 24 oz packet with vitamins and minerals added.
- Calories in total: 3,600 per package (7 packages per case)
- Shelf life: 5 years
- Days: 3 per package on land at 3 bars/day (brand guidance, computed)
- Preparation: none: ready to eat
Why it is here: The bars are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
- 4
Lifeboat ration of 18 individually wrapped 200 calorie bars with a 5-year shelf life.
- Calories in total: 3,600 per package (20 packages per case)
- Shelf life: 5 years
- Preparation: none: ready to eat
Why it is here: Bars are individually wrapped so a package can be opened without exposing the rest.
- 5
Two weeks of freeze-dried meals for one person across 42 pouches with a 30-year shelf life.
- Servings: 84
- Calories per day: approx. 1,719 (stated)
- Shelf life: 30 years
- Days: 14
Why it is here: The maker rates the pouches for 30 years.
- 6
Three-day kit with four multi-serving pouches rated at 1,820 calories a day.
- Servings: 30 (sum of listed pouches)
- Calories in total: 5,460 kcal
- Calories per day: 1,820 kcal
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: The maker lists 1,820 calories a day for three days.
- 7
Three-day dehydrated kit for one person with 58 grams of protein a day.
- Servings: 18
- Calories per day: 1,580 kcal
- Shelf life: up to 25
- Days: 3
Why it is here: The maker lists 58 grams of protein a day.
- 8
Seven days of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals for one person packed in a 10L dry bag.
- Servings: 60 (sum of listed pouches)
- Calories in total: 13,920 kcal
- Calories per day: 1,988 kcal
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: The 10L dry bag suits grab-and-go evacuation.
- 9
Four-week kit of 192 servings in a stackable tote that fits under a bed.
- Servings: 192
- Calories in total: 36,480 kcal
- Calories per day: 1,302+ (stated)
- Shelf life: 25 years
Why it is here: The water-resistant tote stacks and slides under a bed.
- 10
Coast Guard approved 3,600 calorie ration with nine bars per package and no prep needed.
- Calories in total: 3,600 per package (5 packages per case)
- Shelf life: 5 years
- Preparation: none: ready to eat
Why it is here: The ration carries U.S.C.G. approval.
- 11
Four weeks of Ready Hour pouches for one person rated at over 2,000 calories a day.
- Servings: 250
- Calories in total: 56,460 kcal
- Calories per day: 2,000+ (average, stated)
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: The stated average tops 2,000 calories a day for 28 days.
- 12
Starter kit of 20 Ready Hour servings rated at over 2,000 calories a day for three days.
- Servings: 20
- Calories in total: 6,240 kcal
- Calories per day: 2,000+ (stated)
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: The maker lists over 2,000 calories a day across the three days.
- 13
Bucket of 120 large servings rated at 48,640 calories with up to 25 years of shelf life.
- Servings: 120
- Calories in total: 48,640 kcal
- Calories per day: about 2,000 for 23.7 days (brand figure)
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: Each pouch is Mylar with an oxygen absorber and nitrogen flush.
- 14
Ninety freeze-dried single-meal pouches rated at 2,400 calories and 114 g of protein a day.
- Servings: 180
- Calories in total: 72,980 kcal
- Calories per day: 2,400 (average, stated)
- Shelf life: 10 (unopened, per FAQ)
Why it is here: The listed 2,400 calories and 114 grams of protein a day are the highest in this set.
- 15
Twelve fully cooked military-style MREs with a flameless ration heater in every meal.
- Servings: 12
- Shelf life: 5 at 50°F (6 months at 100°F); current stock best by 2030
- Preparation: none: fully cooked; flameless ration heater included
Why it is here: A flameless ration heater comes with every meal so hot food needs no stove.
- 16
Ninety freeze-dried pouches for one person for 30 days or two people for 15 days.
- Servings: 180
- Calories per day: approx. 1,732 (stated)
- Shelf life: 30 (30-year taste guarantee)
- Days: 30 (1 person) or 15 (2 people)
Why it is here: Two boxes of 15 days each make the kit easier to store or split.
- 17
Compact three-day kit of 20 servings rated at 4,800 calories in total.
- Servings: 20
- Calories in total: 4,800 kcal
- Calories per day: 1,600+ (stated)
- Shelf life: 25 years
Why it is here: The kit is compact for grab-and-go use.
- 18
Fourteen days of food for one person in one stackable bucket with a grab-and-go handle.
- Servings: 150 (sum of listed pouches)
- Calories in total: 25,580 kcal
- Calories per day: 1,800 kcal
- Shelf life: up to 25
Why it is here: One stackable bucket with a handle holds the whole two weeks.
- 19
Forty-five days of dehydrated meals for one person in a single pail with 14 varieties.
- Servings: 281
- Calories per day: 1,218 kcal
- Shelf life: up to 25
- Days: 45
Why it is here: Fourteen meal varieties cover breakfast through dessert.
- 20
Thirty-day kit of 334 servings with powdered milk, eggs and shredded cheddar included.
- Servings: 334
- Calories in total: 58,200 kcal
- Calories per day: about 1,940 (computed from 58,200 kcal / 30 days)
- Shelf life: 25 (expiration 2050)
Why it is here: Powdered milk and eggs and shredded cheddar come alongside the meals.
Head-to-head comparisons
Mountain House Just In Case 3 Day Emergency Food Supply vs ReadyWise 72 Hour Food Kit
- Mountain House Just In Case 3 Day Emergency Food Supply vs Augason Farms 72-Hour 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit
My Patriot Supply 4-Week Emergency Food Supply vs 4Patriots 4-Week Emergency Survival Food Kit
Datrex 3600 Emergency Food Ration vs S.O.S. Rations 3600
All emergency food side by side
Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Model | Score | Servings | Calories in total | Calories per day | Shelf lifemaker's claim | Days | Preparation | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain House Just In Case 3 Day Emergency Food Supply | 8.2 | 18 | - | approx. 1,706 (stated) | 30 (30-year taste guarantee) | 3 | add water (hot preferred) directly to the pouch; ~12 cups (0.75 gal) water for the whole kit | 3.6 lb (1.6 kg) |
| Mountain House Classic Meal Assortment Bucket | 8.0 | 24 | - | - | 30 (30-year taste guarantee) | - | add water (hot preferred) to pouch; 18 cups water for the whole bucket | 5.52 lb (2.5 kg) |
| Mainstay 3600 Emergency Food Bars | 8.0 | - | 3,600 per package (7 packages per case) | - | 5 years | 3 per package on land at 3 bars/day (brand guidance, computed) | none: ready to eat | - |
| Datrex 3600 Emergency Food Ration | 8.0 | - | 3,600 per package (20 packages per case) | - | 5 years | - | none: ready to eat | - |
| Mountain House 14 Day Emergency Food Supply | 7.8 | 84 | - | approx. 1,719 (stated) | 30 years | 14 | add hot water to pouch; 56 cups (3.5 gal) water for the whole kit | 15.62 lb (7.1 kg) |
| ReadyWise 72 Hour Food Kit | 7.8 | 30 (sum of listed pouches) | 5,460 kcal | 1,820 kcal | up to 25 | 3 | add water; about 30 cups of water required | 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Augason Farms 72-Hour 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit | 7.8 | 18 | - | 1,580 kcal | up to 25 | 3 | add water and cook 12-15 minutes (stovetop) | - |
| ReadyWise One Week Emergency Food Supply | 7.3 | 60 (sum of listed pouches) | 13,920 kcal | 1,988 kcal | up to 25 | 7 | add water; about 60 cups of water needed | 8.03 lb (3.6 kg) |
| 4Patriots 4-Week Emergency Survival Food Kit | 7.3 | 192 | 36,480 kcal | 1,302+ (stated) | 25 years | 28 | bring water to a boil, stir in food, simmer 15-20 minutes | - |
| S.O.S. Rations 3600 | 7.3 | - | 3,600 per package (5 packages per case) | - | 5 years | - | none: ready to eat | - |
| My Patriot Supply 4-Week Emergency Food Supply | 7.1 | 250 | 56,460 kcal | 2,000+ (average, stated) | up to 25 | 28 | boil water, add food, simmer | - |
| My Patriot Supply 72-Hour Food Kit | 7.1 | 20 | 6,240 kcal | 2,000+ (stated) | up to 25 | 3 | boil water, pour in food, simmer and stir 10-15 minutes | - |
| Legacy Food Storage 120 Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Bucket | 7.0 | 120 | 48,640 kcal | about 2,000 for 23.7 days (brand figure) | up to 25 | - | add water (pancake mix also needs oil) | 31 lb (14.1 kg) |
| Peak Refuel Reserve Pack | 7.0 | 180 | 72,980 kcal | 2,400 (average, stated) | 10 (unopened, per FAQ) | 30 | add water to pouch (freeze-dried) | - |
| XMRE 1300XT | 7.0 | 12 | - | - | 5 at 50°F (6 months at 100°F); current stock best by 2030 | - | none: fully cooked; flameless ration heater included | - |
| Mountain House 30-Day Emergency Food Supply Kit | 6.7 | 180 | - | approx. 1,732 (stated) | 30 (30-year taste guarantee) | 30 (1 person) or 15 (2 people) | just add water; approx. 117 cups (7.5 gal) water for all meals | 33.85 lb (15.4 kg) |
| 4Patriots 72-Hour Emergency Survival Food Kit | 6.7 | 20 | 4,800 kcal | 1,600+ (stated) | 25 years | 3 | bring water to a boil, stir in food, simmer 15-20 minutes | - |
| ReadyWise 2 Week Emergency Food Supply | 6.3 | 150 (sum of listed pouches) | 25,580 kcal | 1,800 kcal | up to 25 | 14 | add water; about 100 cups of water required | 6 lb (2.7 kg) |
| Augason Farms 45-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit | 6.3 | 281 | - | 1,218 kcal | up to 25 | 45 | add water and cook 12-15 minutes | - |
| Valley Food Storage 30 Day Emergency Food Kit | 6.3 | 334 | 58,200 kcal | about 1,940 (computed from 58,200 kcal / 30 days) | 25 (expiration 2050) | 30 | add boiling water, stir; ready in under 10 minutes | 40 lb (18.1 kg) |
Frequently asked questions
How long do emergency food kits last?
Shelf life is a claim by the maker and differs by type. Mountain House rates its freeze-dried pouches for 30 years. The other pouch kits here state 25 years except the Peak Refuel Reserve Pack at 10 years. The Datrex and S.O.S. and Mainstay ration bars are rated for 5 years. The XMRE case lists 5 years at 50°F.
Can you eat Mountain House meals with cold water?
The maker's instructions for the Just In Case 3 Day kit say to add water with hot preferred. The same wording applies to the Classic Meal Assortment Bucket. The 14 Day kit lists hot water. The product data does not describe results with cold water. Treat hot water as the intended method and plan a way to heat it.
How long do ration bars last?
The three ration bars on this list are all rated for 5 years by their makers. That covers the Datrex 3600 Emergency Food Ration and S.O.S. Rations 3600 and Mainstay 3600 Emergency Food Bars. Five years is well below what the pouch kits on this list state. The trade-off is that ration bars need no water or heat.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one, the store may pay us a commission. The price stays the same for you, and commissions do not decide which emergency supplies we recommend. Specs come from the makers; range and battery life are their claims. Our method.