Roguechef – The Apocalypse Edition …

Madam BadWolf and I have lived in the Mid-Hudson Valley for close to 40 years. We’ve seen ice storms, heavy snow, high winds, and the occasional fool doing 70 on a rain-slick highway take out power lines.

In one particularly severe case, we were without power for a week. Others in the area were out for two. This can be fun for a night, but it gets pretty old after three.

Watching the line of thunderstorms pummel the area yesterday, and hearing my phone go crazy with emergency alerts about severe weather and tornadoes, made me review my plans:

• Food: Check
• Water: Check
• Gas for grill: Check
• Camping stove and fuel: Check
• Wood for Fireplace: Check

This isn’t theoretical for us. It’s documented reality that happens in our backyard regularly.

The Reality of Emergency Food Storage

Let me tell you something about emergency food storage: it’s not about paranoia or prepping for the apocalypse. It’s about being smart enough to recognize that shit happens.

Severe weather knocks out power regularly. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice storms, and blizzards can drop power lines. Repairs often take two weeks or more, especially in rural areas.

Hurricane Katrina left some areas without power for months. Winter storms regularly leave areas in the dark for days.

Food storage should be as routine as having a first aid kit. When disasters hit, you don’t want to be fighting over the last loaf of bread at the grocery store.

Know Your People First

Before you buy anything, make a list of all family members by name. Note any special needs. This isn’t busy work — it’s essential planning.

For each person, document:

• Dietary restrictions (diabetic, celiac, food allergies)
• Medications they take regularly
• Preferred foods they’ll actually eat during stress
• Age-specific needs (infant formula, soft foods for elderly)

Special considerations:

• Diabetics need consistent carbohydrate sources
• Heart patients need low-sodium options
• Kids with autism might only eat specific brands
• Elderly may need soft textures

Medications matter:

Stock 30 days of essential medications. Store them in a cool, dry place. Rotate before expiration dates.

Don’t assume you’ll remember these details during a crisis. Write them down now.

Food Ideas That Keep on the Shelf

Because people don’t read detailed documentation, here’s the straightforward list:

Ready to Eat:

• MRE’s (expensive but foolproof)
• Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, fish
• Canned juices, broths and soups
• Shelf-stable boxes of juices and milk
• Crackers and melba toast
• Peanut butter, jelly
• Dry cereals and granola
• Dried fruits, nuts and trail mixes
• Jerky and granola bars
• Hard candy

Need Water to Prepare:

• Instant oatmeal
• Dry milk
• Powdered drink mixes
• Instant pudding
• Dried soups
• Bouillon cubes or powder
• Instant rice and potatoes

The “ready to eat” category is your lifeline when you have no power or clean water. The second category requires water but gives you more variety.

Plan Specific Meals

Here’s where most people fail: they buy random stuff without thinking through actual meals.

Sit down and plan breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two weeks.

For each meal, note:

• How much water needed for cooking and cleanup
• What equipment required (can opener, pot, heat source)
• Preparation time and complexity

Example meal planning:

“Day 3 Lunch: Tuna salad with crackers

• Water: 1 cup mixing, 2 cups cleanup
• Equipment: Can opener, bowl, spoon
• Prep: 5 minutes, no heat required”

This forces you to think practically. You’ll discover what you actually need to store versus what sounds good in theory.

Storage Basics

Location: Cool, dry place between 50-70°F. Not garages or attics that get hot.

Rotation: Date everything when you buy it. Use oldest items first.

Quantity: Aim for two weeks minimum. One month if possible.

Water needs: One gallon per person per day for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

Regular checks: Look for damaged cans, pest problems, or expired items.

When the Power Goes Out

Plan for cooking without electricity:

• Camping stove or portable grill (never use indoors)
• Manual can openers
• Disposable plates and utensils
• Basic cooking tools that don’t need power

Having food you can’t access is worse than having no food at all.

Don’t Forget Comfort

Include familiar snacks and treats, especially for children.

Instant coffee, tea, or hot chocolate provide psychological comfort during stressful times. Morale matters more than people realize.

Start Small, Build Smart

You don’t need to do this all at once. Start with what makes sense for your family and build from there.

Having two weeks of imperfect food storage is infinitely better than having none at all.

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

Because when normal goes out the window, you’ll be glad you planned ahead while everyone else is learning why the grocery stores are empty.