Food for Your Go-Kit - March 15, 2006

Tonight's training tip is about food to include in your go-kit. Maybe you haven't given it much thought, but even if you have a terrific go kit with all kinds of fancy equipment and accessories, if don't feed your body right, you won't be very efficient at operating the radio. At the worst, you may get ill and become part of the problem instead of part of the solution. 

So you need to have a stash of food ready to go with you if you're called to serve in an emergency - at least enough to get you through for 72 hours. Consider going over to Walmart and buying a big but inexpensive plastic tub with comfortable carrying handles and fill it with your favorite foods and utensils to eat it with. 

Before you put anything in the tub, though, there are several constraints to consider. First, you want to stock food with a reasonably long shelf life - a year or more. Otherwise it will spoil and be useless when you need it. Secondly, unlike backpacking, weight is not a constraint, so canned goods are a good choice. Third, don't plan on refrigeration being available. Take non-perishable foods - things that need no refrigeration or freezing, and in containers that are not so big you'll have leftovers that could spoil. Fourth, you want some variation and decent nutrition, so avoid a lot of junk food. Get some protein, grains, fruits and veggies, and minimize the fat and sugar. You'll feel better if you eat well, and after the third day your body will thank you.

Now everyone has different tastes and food preferences, but here are some ideas of what you might put into your go-kit and what the thinking was behind the decision to include each item. In canned foods, meat and fishes are good for protein, 3-bean salad and corn are good veggies, and peaches, pears, and pineapple will do for fruit. All can be eaten at room temperature. Bread spoils, so consider substituting crackers. Include several different whole-grain types. Peanut butter is a good spread because it doesn't need refrigeration. If you want chips, consider several cans of Pringles instead of bags. They have a long shelf life, different flavors for variety, lots of chips packed in a small volume, and they're reasonably unbreakable compared to bags of chips. Include a box of Cheerios or other cereal for breakfast, and canned milk if you have to have it, or get little boxes of apple juice or other kinds of juice which need no refrigeration. For high-energy snacks, include a box of granola bars.

This isn't camping, so in order to eat with manners, include some plastic plates, bowls, cups, utensils, and of course a can opener. A small sharp knife might come in handy, too. If you're usually sensitive to the ecology and prefer to wash china, glass, and stainless, there is no assurance that washing will be possible or even that water will be available, so it's best to resort to disposable dishes and utensils for this limited time.

For beverages, include 5-10 gallons of water in two-and-a-half gallon containers. You can also include pop, ice-tea, fruit juices, punch, or lemonade if you want. If you have to have morning coffee and there's no coffee maker, get an immersion heater to boil water, and use coffee bags. You can also brew tea. It's critical to have enough liquids each day to prevent dehydration. Make sure you have plenty to drink. It goes without saying, but for the duration of the emergency, stay alert and avoid alcoholic beverages.

Another choice for many people is military Meals Ready to Eat, or MRE's. These are tasty, nutritious, and convenient, a far cry from the rations of decades ago. Everything you need is inside, including the heat source for hot meals. You can get them at government surplus and supply places. Be sure to check the expiration date.

Camping stores have similar products - often dehydrated - just add water and heat. But you will probably have to supply your own water and heat source. These items tend to be on the expensive side, but this is no time for a picnic. You have to have food. So get what you like.

Finally, you need to do some periodic maintenance on the go-kit food supply. First, write the date of purchase on each food item when you buy it, so you know how old it is at some time later. Periodically, depending on the expiration dates, take the old stuff out and eat it or discard it, and replenish it with new food. You need to discipline yourself to do this at least once a year, or you'll be sorry when an emergency hits and your food supply is spoiled.