Keeping Your Family Fed if the Power Goes Out | Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education

canned food

Be Prepared -

If you live in an area where power outages are common, now is the time to stock up.

This is what you will need to keep your family fed:

Canned or shelfstable foods
Water
Paper or plastic plates, cups and eating utensils
A manual can opener

To keep your food safe and healthy:

A food thermometer
An insulated cooler
Freezer packs
Moist towelettes or alcohol-based hand sanitizers

DON'T FORGET

Batteries
A flashlight
A first aid kit
Family medications
Pet food (if you have a pet)
A battery-operated clock or watch

Plan for a 3-day supply of foods that need no cooking or refrigeration.

Choose from foods your family enjoys, plus favorite treats
Include foods needed for special diets
Check food labels:
- - Storage requirements
- - Use-by or expiration dates
Plan on single servings or one-meal size portions to avoid leftovers

IF THE POWER GOES OUT

FIRST - Use perishable foods and foods from the refrigerator
SECOND - Use foods from the freezer
THIRD - Use canned foods and shelf-stable foods

Choose Foods with Good Nutrition & Safety in Mind
WATER	Plan for one gallon per person per day for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. * Use bottled water or tap water that is stored in clean containers.
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS	Dry* or canned evaporated milk Rice or soy milk Boxed or shelf-stable milk Powdered infant formula* Canned puddings Canned Parmesan or Romano cheese
MEAT, FISH, POULTRY, AND BEANS	Ready-to-eat canned beans, meat, fish and poultry Canned meat mixtures like chili, chow mein, stews and soups Peanut butter, nuts and seeds Beef jerky Instant refried beans*
FRUITS	Canned and dried fruit Bottled, canned and powdered juices* and juice boxes
VEGETABLES	Canned vegetables and vegetable juices Canned salsa Instant potatoes*
CEREALS AND GRAINS	Bread (enriched and whole grain) Bagels, muffins, quick breads Breakfast or granola bars Ready-to-eat cereals Crackers, popcorn or rice cakes Hard taco shells or tortilla chips Instant hot cereals, rice and pasta or noodle mixes*
SOUPS	Canned soups Condensed soup or dried soup mixes*
SWEETS	Trail mix Jams and jellies Cakes, cookies, fruit pies
STAPLES	Instant coffee or tea, cocoa mix* Sugar, spices, herbs, mustard, ketchup and other condiments Non-dairy creamer Margarine, vegetable oil

*If you CANNOT BOIL WATER, DO NOT include instant foods.

Sample "No-Cook" Menu
BREAKFAST	Canned juice Ready-to-eat cereal or breakfast snack bar Whole wheat or enriched bread with jam, jelly or peanut butter Milk (reconstituted dry* or canned milk)
LUNCH	Peanut butter or processed cheese spread sandwich Canned fruit Milk or cocoa (reconstituted dry mix*)
SUPPER	Canned tuna or stew Crackers Canned beans (baked beans) Canned corn or green beans Canned pudding Milk or cocoa (reconstituted dry mix*)
SNACK	Canned pudding Crackers Peanuts, pretzels Juice box Granola bar or rice cakes

STORE FOODS SAFELY

Store foods in a clean, dry area, off the floor and away from electrical appliances.
Keep food covered at all times.
Check all foods for signs of spoilage.
Check cans for dents and rust. If they become damaged throw them out.

DISCARD ANY LEFTOVERS OR OPEN CANS!

For more information on preparing for an emergency contact MEMA http://www.state.ma.us/mema/. For answers to food safety questions call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline - 1-800-535-4555.

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