There are many kinds of disasters that would make going to the store for groceries difficult or impossible – hurricanes, flooding, ice, snow, riots, etc. Having at least a 2-week supply of non-perishables per person is wise preparation. This food should fall into at least 1 of 3 categories – easy to cook, heat only, and no-cook. The following are suggested options:

MILK - Nonfat dry milk, shelf stable boxes of liquid milk, canned milk

BREADS - Crackers, biscuit mix, corn-muffin mix, complete pancake mix

CEREALS AND GRAINS - Instant, quick-cooking and/or ready-to-eat; bulgur wheat

JUICES - Canned or bottled fruit and vegetable juices or enriched fruit-flavored mix

SOUPS - Canned ready-to-serve, condensed or instant

MEATS - Canned ham, corned beef, luncheon meat, Vienna sausage, hash, meat with gravy, stew, poultry, meat sauces, dried beef, summer sausage, salami, meat spread

FISH AND SEAFOOD - Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, oysters, shrimp, clams

BEANS - Canned cooked chickpeas, black-eye peas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans; pork and beans; baked beans; chili; three bean salad

VEGETABLES - Canned favorites, including tomatoes, corn and potatoes, pickled beets, mixed vegetables; instant mashed potatoes

FRUITS - Canned and/or dried favorites

CHEESE - Shelf-stable grated cheese and process cheese spread

PASTA AND RICE - Canned or mix combinations, quick-cooking rice, pasta, noodles

STAPLES AND CONDIMENTS - Instant cocoa, instant breakfast drinks, salad dressing, shortening, oil, pickles, olives, mustard, catsup, wine vinegar, syrup, lemon juice, instant or ready-to-eat puddings, herbs and spices, sugar, salt, pepper, peanut butter, jam, jelly, honey

SNACKS AND TREATS - Nuts, cookies, candies, beverages

Based on minimum nutritional guidelines a 2-week supply of food for 1 person could be: 1-1/2 lbs powdered milk, 18 (15 ounce) cans fruit and vegetables, 11 ounces (3.5 cups) quick oats, 4 jiffy muffin mixes, 1 loaf bread, 2 lbs. rice, jar peanut butter, 3 cans tuna, 3 cans chicken, 1 can kidney beans.