The use of emergency food (also known as survival food) in the camping world is gaining popularity as it is not only convenient but also delicious.
Companies that create survival food have been refining their recipes and focusing on making quality meals that taste great as well as provide the convenience and shelf life that survival food is known for.
The meals are usually very easy to prepare, requiring nothing more than simply boiling water and adding it to the package. This makes them a great option for when you need a quick meal after a long day of hiking or when you're in a rush to get out of camp in the morning.
So I've put together a list of some of my favorite survival food companies in the article below.
1. Valley Food Storage
In my opinion, Valley Food Storage provides the highest quality survival food on the market. I love this stuff!! It is not only delicious, but they honestly offer a wide array of options that makes our camping meals more diverse and intersting.
Better Ingredients: Non-GMO without chemical additives.
High Quality Servings: Wide variety of calorie-dense food.
Long Shelf Life: 25 years
They offer all kinds of long term food storage kits that you can add to your emergency supply, but they also have some great options for campers.
The one I love the most is the 5 entree pack that includes a total of 25 servings. The variety of meals is perfect and they deliver on taste and quality.
2. My Patriot Supply
The people at My Patriot Supply have a mission to produce products that offer trusted self reliance. The company started in 2008 and has been helping people prepare for the future with a wide variety of emergency products.
The one that I have found is best for camping is the case pack pouches. There are some that are similar to MRE's and come with heaters. Others just need to be mixed with boiling water, but both provide a perfect and convenient meal while at the campsite.
Their emergency food supply consists of long and short term kits, #10 bulk cans, survival coffee, case pack food pouches, and much more.
They even have special emergency food kits that cater to those with special diets (ie. gluten free, etc).
3. Augason Farms
Augason Farms provides tasty meals for emergencies, busy weekdays, and outdoor adventures.These are easy meals to cook as they just require boiling water.
They have a ton of options that are nutritionally balanced and have a shelf life of 25 years.
- Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail
- Breakfast and Dinner Variety Pail
- Breakfast only Variety Pail
- 30 day Deluxe Supply
- Etc
I like the variety pails because you honestly get a lot of options to choose from and no matter what you are in the mood for, you can usually find it in the pail.
Breakfast & Dinner Variety Pail
4. Mountain House
Mountain House has been providing freeze-dried food for all climates and adventures since 1969.
The classic “just add water” pouches are ready in only 10 minutes and make camping or backpacking meals a breeze.
Their emergency meals have the longest proven shelf life in the industry.
I personally like their Adventure Meals, because they have a wide variety to choose from and I can use them as camping meals or for my long term survival inventory.
Some of the meals that I like the best…
- Buffalo Style Chicken Mac & Cheese
- Biscuits & Gravy
- Chicken Fajita Bowl
- Breakfast Skillet
- Beef Stew
5. Legacy Food Storage
Legacy Food Storage boasts that it has the lowest cost per pound emergency food on the market. As well as free shipping to the contiguous United States.
The variety here is great because they offer entree packages, multi buckets, breakfast only, survival seeds, raw honey, coffee, and much more.
They also have serving size options ranging from 60 servings all the way up to 4320 servings.
One of the best selling options is the 183 serving MEGA pack that includes items like Strawberry Creamy Wheat, Italian Pasta with Marinara, Enchilada Beans and Rice, Strawberry Slices, Green Beans, and Medium Roast Coffee.
6. Wise Company
Wise Company Food Storage has a ton of great variety and offers most of it's meals in convenient bundle buckets. You can choose between a 60 serving or a 120 serving grab and go bucket that makes it easy to plan a camping menu around.
One of our favorite go-to meals from Wise Company is the Cheesy Mac. It is by far the creamiest and best I've ever tasted.
But they have alot more great options as well, that are full of flavor and nutrition. They have options like Hearty Tortilla Soup, Savory Stroganoff, Creamy Pasta & Vegetables, and even a Loaded Baked Potato Casserole.
Wise Company meals have a 25 year shelf life and require only water to make most of the entrees.
7. Backpackers Pantry
Backpackers Pantry has been creating gourmet freeze dried survival meals since 1951. Their meals are designed for any adventure and make a perfect camping meal companion.
Take one of these inspired meals along with you on your next trip and enjoy the adventure along the way.
- Three Cheese Mac
- Cuban Coconut Rice & Black Beans
- Lasagna
- Kathmandu Curry
- Pad Thai
- Chana Masala
- Risotto with Chicken
- Dark Chocolate Cheesecake
- Creme Brulee
Backpackers, explorers, extreme athletes, the military, campers and vegans all use Backpackers Pantry to help fuel them for their adventures.
