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A three-day emergency food supply for US households

Use this four-person example as a planning starting point, not a universal maximum or individual nutrition plan. Guidance varies by location and household.

Direct answer: This basket matches the book’s three-day menu with safe outdoor cooking available. It is one example, not a universally sufficient maximum.

Ready.gov advises several days of supplies. Local guidance and household needs may call for more. If safe outdoor cooking is unavailable, use the separate no-cook menu and matching basket.

Worked three-day menu

DayBreakfastLunchDinner
Day 1PB and jam wrapsTuna and corn wrapsCoconut chickpea tikka
Day 2Chocolate porridgeSmoky bean nachosCreamy tomato pasta
Day 3PB and jam wrapsCoronation chickpea wrapsBBQ beans and mash

Quantities below cover 4 people. They scale from the four-person manuscript basket, rounding whole packs where specified. Cooking times do not scale linearly; equipment may require batches.

Shopping list by category

Bread and dry foods

  • tortillas: 32 wraps
  • oats: 8.5 oz (240 g)
  • quick pasta: 11.3 oz (320 g)
  • potato flakes: 7.1 oz (200 g)
  • granola: 2.8 oz (80 g)
  • tortilla chips: 7.1 oz (200 g)
  • rice pouches: 2 250 g pouches — for cold meals, explicitly labelled ready to eat cold

Cans and proteins

  • chickpeas: 4 400 g cans
  • kidney or black beans: 2 400 g cans
  • white beans: 1 400 g can
  • baked beans: 2 400 g cans
  • chopped tomatoes: 2 400 g tins
  • tuna: 11.3 oz drained (320 g drained)
  • sweetcorn: 21.2 oz drained (600 g drained)

Creamy and sweet

  • peanut butter: 16.2 oz (460 g)
  • jam: 5.6 oz (160 g)
  • coconut milk: 13.5 US fl oz (400 ml)
  • uht milk: 20.3 US fl oz (600 ml)
  • cocoa: 0.7 oz (20 g)
  • sugar: 1.4 oz (40 g)

Sauces and seasonings

  • salsa: 10.6 oz (300 g)
  • mango chutney: 2.1 oz (60 g)
  • bbq sauce: 2.1 oz (60 g)
  • mustard: 0.5 oz (15 g)
  • vinegar: 0.5 US fl oz (15 ml)
  • lemon juice: 0.5 US fl oz (15 ml)
  • oil: 6.1 US fl oz (180 ml)
  • mild curry powder: 4 tsp
  • garlic granules: 2 tsp
  • smoked paprika: 2 tsp
  • mixed herbs: 1 tsp
  • dill: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper to taste

Fruit and snack pool

  • fruit cups: 20 100 g cups
  • crackers: 14.1 oz (400 g)
  • nuts or seeds: 10.6 oz (300 g)
  • chocolate or biscuits: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Drained weight is not gross pack weight. A source 400 g can gives about 240 g drained beans, but brands differ. A US 15 oz can is about 425 g gross; match the drained amount on its label. Include a manual can opener.

What is ready to eat?

Follow pack directions: some shelf-stable foods require cooking. Rice used cold must explicitly be labelled ready to eat cold. Pasta and flour dishes need safe heat. A BBQ or camping stove must never be used indoors, in a garage, tent or enclosed shelter.

Small packs, storage and swaps

Choose meal-sized packs when an opened product would need refrigeration. Shelf-stable describes unopened storage, not storage after opening. Check every ingredient and allergen label; do not assume a substitution is suitable for everyone.

No-cook menu and basket · Adjust meals, owned supplies and water · Official UK checklist explained

Official sources

UK Be Ready household checklist ↗UK campaign announcement ↗US emergency supplies — Ready.gov ↗US emergency food — USDA FSIS ↗US emergency water — CDC ↗EU preparedness strategy ↗UK FSA (GOV.UK): food safety in a power cut ↗FDA: food and water safety during power outages ↗CDC: drinking-water advisories explained ↗

Source links and principal guidance claims checked 2 November 2026. Consult current local advice. The Blackout Kitchen is independent and is not endorsed by these organisations.

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