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ReadyWise emergency food supply display for outdoor survival and preparedness

Long-Term Emergency Food Kits for Disasters and Survival

ReadyWise Survival Food

Easy-to-prepare, long-term emergency food for blackouts, hurricanes, and outdoor adventures. With a 25-year shelf life, these meals are nutritious, lightweight, and ready in minutes—just add water.

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Meal Starter Kits

Designed for natural disasters, power outages, and unexpected events, these kits offer peace of mind with long shelf lives and easy storage. Whether you're starting small or expanding your supply, our meal kits ensure you're always ready.

Build Your Emergency Food Supply

Meal Starter Kits

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Convenient & Delicious Emergency Food Buckets

Stay prepared with variety-packed emergency food buckets designed for quick, easy meals during short-term crises. With a mix of breakfasts, entrees, and snacks, these lightweight, portable food solutions are perfect for emergencies, camping, or supplementing your food storage. Just add water and enjoy.

Easy-to-Prepare Meals for Short-Term Readiness

Food Buckets

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#10 Cans — Simple Kitchen Meals Packs

Stay prepared with durable #10 cans and Simple Kitchen meals & snacks. #10 Cans offer decades-long shelf life for emergencies, while Simple Kitchen provides quick, nutritious soups, fruits, veggies, and treats for everyday convenience.

Long-Lasting, Delicious & Easy Emergency Food

#10 Cans & Simple Kitchen Meal Packs

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Bulk emergency preparedness kits for outdoor survival and tactical gear stocking.

Stocking-up Kits

From hurricanes to wildfires, emergencies can happen anytime. ReadyWise long-term food storage provides freeze-dried and dehydrated meals with up to 25 years of shelf life, ensuring you and your loved ones stay prepared. Sealed in protective pouches and containers, these survival food kits offer nutritious, ready-made meals whenever disaster strikes. Stock up today for peace of mind.

Be Ready for Any Crisis with 25-Year Shelf Life Meals

Bulk & Stocking-up Kits

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ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply FAQ - Long-Term Food Storage

What is ReadyWise emergency food and how long does it last?

ReadyWise emergency food is a line of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals designed for long-term emergency preparedness and disaster situations. ReadyWise products feature an industry-leading 25-year shelf life when stored properly in a cool, dry environment. The meals are sealed in protective Metallyte pouches within durable buckets or #10 cans, protecting contents from moisture, oxygen, and light. This extended shelf life makes ReadyWise ideal for comprehensive emergency preparedness planning, whether you're preparing for natural disasters, power outages, economic uncertainty, or long-term food security needs.

How many servings do I need for emergency food storage?

Emergency food storage requirements depend on household size and preparation duration goals. For short-term emergency preparedness (72 hours to 2 weeks), the 7-Day Emergency Food Supply with 60 servings or 84 Serving Breakfast & Entree Bucket provides adequate coverage for one person. For family preparedness, calculate approximately 2,000 calories per adult per day—typically 6-8 servings of ReadyWise meals. The 1080-Serving package provides roughly 3 months of food for one person, while the 4320-Serving kit covers a family of four for approximately 3 months. Start with a 30-day supply and gradually build toward 3-6 months of long-term food storage for comprehensive emergency preparedness.

What's the difference between ReadyWise food buckets and #10 cans?

ReadyWise food buckets like the 84 Serving Grab & Go contain variety packs of individual Metallyte pouches with different meals, making them ideal for short-term emergencies where you want meal variety and portability. Each pouch typically contains 2-4 servings and reseals after opening. #10 cans contain larger quantities of single ingredients or meals (typically 20-40 servings per can) and are designed for long-term bulk storage with maximum shelf stability. Once opened, #10 can contents should be consumed within weeks to months. Food buckets offer convenience and variety for rotating emergency supplies, while #10 cans provide economical long-term storage for serious preppers building year-long food reserves.

How do you prepare ReadyWise freeze-dried meals?

ReadyWise meal preparation is designed for emergency simplicity—just add boiling or hot water directly to the pouch or serving container. Most entrees require 1 cup of water per serving, while breakfasts and side dishes may need slightly less. After adding water, stir thoroughly, reseal the pouch, and wait 12-15 minutes for full rehydration. The meals can be prepared with room temperature water if necessary, though this requires longer rehydration time (20-30 minutes) and results in cold meals. For emergency situations without cooking capability, this just-add-water preparation method ensures you can access nutrition using only stored water, making ReadyWise superior to emergency food requiring extensive cooking or refrigeration.

What's included in ReadyWise meal starter kits versus stocking-up kits?

ReadyWise meal starter kits are entry-level emergency food supplies ranging from 48 to 120 servings, designed for individuals or families beginning emergency preparedness. These include the 7-Day Emergency Food Supply (60 servings) and various Grab & Go buckets with breakfast and entree variety. They're perfect for bug-out bags, vehicle emergency kits, or testing ReadyWise products before larger investments. Stocking-up kits are comprehensive long-term food storage solutions ranging from 1080 to 4320 servings, providing 3-12 months of food for families. These bulk packages offer better per-serving value and include greater meal variety. Starter kits address immediate preparedness needs, while stocking-up kits represent serious commitment to multi-month food security during extended crises.

Are ReadyWise meals nutritious enough for long-term survival?

ReadyWise emergency meals are formulated to provide essential calories, protein, and nutrients during crisis situations. Entrees contain 200-300 calories per serving with adequate protein from chicken, rice, pasta, and beans. However, for extended survival scenarios beyond 2-3 weeks, supplement ReadyWise meals with additional nutrition. Consider adding ReadyWise's freeze-dried vegetables, fruits, and the 60 Serving Freeze Dried Meat & Rice Bucket for complete protein. The Simple Kitchen line offers freeze-dried fruits, yogurt, and vegetables to enhance nutritional variety. For true long-term self-sufficiency, combine ReadyWise food storage with the Heirloom Seed Vault containing 39 vegetable varieties (4,500 seeds) for sustainable food production capability. Rotate emergency food supplies regularly and include multivitamins in your preparedness planning.

What's the advantage of freeze-dried food over canned goods for emergency storage?

Freeze-dried emergency food like ReadyWise offers significant advantages over traditional canned goods for long-term preparedness. Freeze-drying removes 98% of moisture while preserving nutritional content, flavor, and texture better than canning. This results in 25-year shelf life compared to 2-5 years for most canned foods. ReadyWise meals weigh 80-90% less than equivalent canned foods, crucial for bug-out situations or limited storage space. The lightweight, stackable buckets and #10 cans occupy less space than cases of canned goods. Freeze-dried meals require no refrigeration and tolerate temperature fluctuations better. While canned goods serve well for short-term rotating pantries, freeze-dried food provides superior long-term storage for serious emergency preparedness investments.

How should I store ReadyWise emergency food for maximum shelf life?

To achieve the full 25-year shelf life, store ReadyWise products in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Ideal storage temperature is 50-70°F—higher temperatures accelerate degradation and reduce shelf life significantly. Basements, interior closets, or climate-controlled storage areas work best. Keep buckets and #10 cans off concrete floors using pallets or shelving to prevent moisture absorption. Unopened ReadyWise containers maintain integrity for decades, but once opened, transfer unused portions to airtight containers with oxygen absorbers and consume within 1 year. Rotate stock using first-in-first-out principles—mark purchase dates on containers and incorporate emergency food into camping trips or power outages to maintain familiarity with preparation and taste. Properly stored ReadyWise remains safe and nutritious far beyond official expiration dates.

What varieties does ReadyWise Simple Kitchen line offer?

The ReadyWise Simple Kitchen line provides everyday convenience foods and healthy snacks in addition to emergency entrees. Options include freeze-dried organic fruits (strawberries, pineapple, blueberries), fruit and yogurt combinations (Strawberries & Yogurt, Blueberries & Yogurt), ready-to-eat treats (Cookie Dough Medley, Strawberry Yogurt Tart), and quick-prep soups (Hearty Veggie Chili, Cheesy Potato Soup). These products bridge the gap between long-term emergency storage and daily nutrition, making healthy options accessible for school lunches, camping trips, office snacks, and supplementing regular meals. The Simple Kitchen line's extended shelf life means you can stock pantries without worrying about near-term expiration, while the lightweight pouches provide portable nutrition for active lifestyles or elderly family members needing easy meal solutions.

Can ReadyWise food accommodate special dietary needs?

ReadyWise offers options for various dietary restrictions and preferences within their emergency food line. Several products are gluten-free, including the Hearty Veggie Chili Soup and certain rice-based entrees. Many meals are vegetarian-friendly, like the Four Bean & Vegetable Soup, Wild Rice Risotto, and various pasta dishes. For serious dietary restrictions (severe allergies, vegan requirements, or medical conditions), carefully review ingredient lists on individual product pages. ReadyWise focuses primarily on shelf stability and calorie density rather than specialized diets, so those with significant restrictions should supplement with specifically formulated emergency foods or plan to augment ReadyWise supplies with compatible #10 cans of individual ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and plant proteins. During true emergencies, nutrition and calories typically outweigh dietary preferences.

What emergency gear should I pair with ReadyWise food storage?

Complete emergency preparedness extends beyond food storage to supporting infrastructure. The ReadyWise Solar & Electric Powered Generator Bundle provides essential electricity for communications, lighting, and water purification during extended power outages. Emergency survival backpacks (2-Day and 3-Day options) include pre-assembled gear for evacuation scenarios. The Heirloom Seed Vault ensures long-term food sustainability if supply chains fail. Pair ReadyWise food with adequate water storage (1 gallon per person per day), water purification capability, cooking fuel sources, and can openers for #10 cans. Include manual cooking equipment that functions without electricity. Store emergency food documentation listing contents, preparation instructions, and expiration dates. A comprehensive preparedness plan integrates food storage with shelter, water, medical supplies, security, and communication capabilities.

How do I start building emergency food storage on a budget?

Begin budget-friendly emergency food storage with ReadyWise starter kits rather than overwhelming bulk purchases. The 48 Serving Emergency Soup Bucket or 60 Serving Entree Only Kit provides affordable entry into long-term storage. Purchase one bucket monthly to gradually accumulate 3-6 months of supplies without financial strain. Focus first on calorie-dense options (entrees and grains) before adding variety items like fruits and breakfasts. ReadyWise 6-pack cases of individual meals allow testing different varieties before committing to large quantities. Compare cost-per-serving across different kit sizes—larger stocking-up kits offer better value but require upfront investment. Combine ReadyWise freeze-dried supplies with bulk rice, beans, and canned goods from regular grocery shopping to maximize food security within budget constraints. Remember that some emergency food beats no emergency food—start small and build consistently.

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