Emergency Food and Water Supplies

Plan to stay safe and healthy during a disaster. Every early care and education program should have a detailed plan for a disaster. Plans should include what to do about food, water, supplies, and documentation. Arrangements for evacuation, including transportation are essential. Sample plans are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th edition, Chapter 13, has fill-in-the-blank (form-field) policies for emergencies and disasters. The Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS) offers an Emergency Plan Checklist and Emergency Planning Self - Learning Module for 2 hours of professional development credit.

A well-stocked emergency kit is an essential part of disaster planning. There may not be access to food, water, or electricity for several days. A kit should contain enough food, water, and other items for 72 hours (3 days) for each child and adult. https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit).
The CDC emergency kit suggests at least a 3-day food supply for person. You may want to store more than this amount, having extra food is better than running out. Focus on foods that are easy to prepare and won't spoil, like canned soup, dry pasta, and powdered milk.
• Choose foods that last a long time and don’t need to be refrigerated; are easy to make; high in calories and nutrition; familiar so they can help provide comfort during stressful times.
• Plan ahead for children and staff who require special diets and have allergies. Find special canned foods, juices, and soups. Nursing mothers should have formula; they may be unable to breastfeed during the emergency.
• Pack a manual can opener and disposable utensils.
Water - one gallon per person, per day

According to the CDC here are some examples of foods that can be stored long term:
Foods that last for six months:
• Boxed potatoes
• Dried fruit
• Dry, crisp crackers
• Powdered milk
Foods that last for about 1 year:
• Canned soup, fruit, vegetables
• Canned fruit juice
• Canned nuts
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Ready-to-eat cereal and uncooked instant cereal      Reviewed and Reaffirmed 6/2021