Emergency Food
We carry everything from calorie bars to MREs and freeze dried food. Enjoy shelf lives of up to 25 years, and options for gluten free, non GMO, vegetarian, and more.
Emergency management
Equip your team with the tools and training that they need. With everything from Canadian ICS vests to triage tags and emergency cabinets, we have what you need to prepare on budget and in scope.
Survival Kits
Whether you're preparing for 72 hours or 2 weeks, we have a kit for you. Get pre-build, professional options for home, work, or school. Not sure where to start? Talk to our team: 778-265-5331.
Emergency food is a critical component of any preparedness plan, ensuring you and your loved ones have access to nutritious, long-lasting meals when regular supplies are unavailable. From Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to freeze-dried foods and emergency ration bars, these products are specifically designed for durability and ease of use, with shelf lives of up to 30 years.
Our selection includes meals that cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, as well as freeze-dried meats, cheeses, and eggs for added variety. We also proudly offer many Canadian-made products, delivering quality and supporting local businesses.
Whether you're preparing for an emergency, embarking on a camping trip, or simply stocking up for the future, our wide range of options ensures there’s something for every taste and budget. Take comfort in knowing you’re prepared with delicious, nutritious meals—whenever you need them most.
If you have any questions or if you would like guidance when shopping for emergency food, please feel free to check out the FAQs below or contact our team at hello@totalprepare.ca or 778-265-5331.
Emergency food is a critical component of any preparedness plan, ensuring you and your loved ones have access to nutritious, long-lasting meals when regular supplies are unavailable. From Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to freeze-dried foods and emergency ration bars, these products are specifically designed for durability and ease of use, with shelf lives of up to 30 years.
Our selection includes meals that cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, as well as freeze-dried meats, cheeses, and eggs for added variety. We also proudly offer many Canadian-made products, delivering quality and supporting local businesses.
Whether you're preparing for an emergency, embarking on a camping trip, or simply stocking up for the future, our wide range of options ensures there’s something for every taste and budget. Take comfort in knowing you’re prepared with delicious, nutritious meals—whenever you need them most.
If you have any questions or if you would like guidance when shopping for emergency food, please feel free to check out the FAQs below or contact our team at hello@totalprepare.ca or 778-265-5331.
Survival Food FAQs
Emergency food is food specifically designed to last a long time in storage. It can be freeze dried, canned, dehydrated, or specially packaged to ensure its extended shelf life. It is usually calorie dense to provide more energy in a survival situation.Â
Emergency food comes in many different options. Here are the most common kinds:
MRE –Â Meals, Ready to Eat, are military-style self-heating rations favoured by first responders across Canada. They come with a variety of sides, drink mixes, and a main course. Each meal boasts ~1200 calories and comes with a flameless meal heater that activates with a small amount of water. MREs have a 5 year shelf life.
Freeze dried food –Â when something is freeze dried, all of the moisture is removed while leaving all the flavour and nutrition. Freeze dried food usually needs to be rehydrated with boiling water, though some staples like fruit can be eaten directly from the package. Most freeze dried foods have a 25 year shelf life.
Calorie Ration Bars –Â bars are the most common emergency food solution and come in most pre-built emergency kits on the market. With a 5 year shelf life and a sweet, mild flavour it’s easy to see why. They are calorie dense and require no preparation. Not recommended for periods longer than 72 hours.
Cook-in-pouch food –Â this option is also known as ‘camping food’ or ‘boil in a bag food.’ With a shelf life of 1-10 years, cook-in-pouch food is great for emergency preparedness or outdoor pursuits. It can be prepared by adding boiling water directly to the bag it comes in, resealing it, and waiting. Meals are often very flavourful.
Generally speaking, most staples you can buy at a grocery store have a shelf life of 1 year or less. Many people choose to stay prepared for emergencies by rotating through a supply of cans and dry goods – which is a great solution!Â
Emergency food, however, is perfect to leave inside an emergency kit so it’s always ready when and where you need it. Depending on the type of food, shelf lives can extend up to 25 years. Emergency food is also designed with easy preparation in mind.
Preparation depends on the type and brand of food. Generally speaking:
MREs – can be eaten as is directly from the package, or they can be heated using the included meal heater (just add water to activate.)Â
Freeze Dried Meals – boil water, remove the oxygen absorber from the package, and add remaining package contents to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally. Full instructions come with each meal.
Ration bars – ready to eat straight from the package.Â
Freeze dried fruit, meats, cheese, etc. – eat directly from the package for a crunchy snack or rehydrate in water per package instructions. Great to throw in soups for rehydration too.
Finding options that check all the boxes can be especially difficult with allergies or sensitivities. Happily, Total Prepare carries options that satisfy many of the most common allergies.Â
The emergency food industry is still catching up when it comes to some allergies, but for now, the OBAR is here to fill the gap. It is:
- Nut/Peanut free
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
- Egg free
- Soy free
You can check if OBARs are right for you, here.
If you have additional needs that are not met with the above, we recommend using food storage tools to extend the life of dried products that you know are safe for you. Here’s some more information on how to create a DIY solution.
Your place for
Incident command emergency management cabinet kits supply containers training supplies triage
We work with organizations across Canada to fulfill all their emergency preparedness needs. We carry everything from cots, vests, and EOC supplies, right down to personal and hygeine supplies. Need a comprehensive kit or turnkey solution? No problem. With our cabinet kits, tote kits, and bulk supplies we have something to fit every need.
We’re here to help keep your team safe in uncertain times.
Emergency kits are essential for ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected situations, providing the necessary supplies to help you and your loved ones stay safe and comfortable during a crisis. Our selection of emergency kits is designed to cover a range of needs, with options for 72-hour, one-week, and two-week durations.
We offer specialized kits for different settings, including home kits, car kits, school kits, student kits, and workplace kits, all packed with essential items like food, water, first aid, and survival tools. Each kit has a 5-year shelf life, ensuring long-lasting reliability when you need it most.
Having an emergency kit on hand offers peace of mind, knowing that you're prepared to handle emergencies—whether you're at home, work, or on the go.
Emergency Kit FAQs
An emergency kit is essential for ensuring your safety and well-being during unexpected events like natural disasters, power outages, or evacuations. It provides immediate access to vital supplies such as food, water, first aid, and tools that can help you survive and stay safe when regular services, like electricity or grocery stores, are unavailable.
Having an emergency kit prepares you for the unexpected and gives you peace of mind, knowing you have the necessary resources to respond quickly in a crisis.
You should check your kit at least once every 6 months. Be on the lookout for:
- Expiring items (food, light sticks, first aid, etc)
- Signs of pests or damage
- Used items in need of replacement
- Seasonal items that require updating (clothing for example.)
- Changing needs (growing kids, new household members, etc)
Calendarizing this task helps many people stay on top of their emergency supplies.
Your emergency kit should be stored in an easily accessible location, preferably in a cool, dry place. Ideal spots include a closet near an exit, a basement,* or a garage. The goal is to keep it somewhere you can quickly grab it in case you need to evacuate. It’s also a good idea to have smaller, secondary kits in places like your car or at your workplace, ensuring you have essential supplies available no matter where you are when disaster strikes.
*If you’re in an earthquake zone, keeping the kit above ground is ideal.
Yes, you can definitely make an emergency survival kit yourself! The key is to ensure you include all the essentials: food, water, first aid supplies, tools, and personal items that will sustain you for at least 72 hours.
Start with non-perishable foods, like freeze-dried meals or canned goods, and include a water supply, either bottled or in a portable filter. Add items like flashlights, a multi-tool, blankets, a radio, and any necessary medications. Customize the kit based on your family’s specific needs, including supplies for pets or young children.
Ensure all supplies are packed together in one place for quick access in emergencies. Use a carrying container that you can lift/roll – you can’t evacuate with something you can’t move!
While store-bought emergency kits are a great starting point, there are a few personal items you may want to add to customize it for your needs. Add essential medications, extra clothing, important documents, and items like eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you have pets, include food and supplies for them too. It’s also a good idea to add personal hygiene products, such as hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, and feminine products, to ensure you’re fully prepared for any situation.
It is also recommended to pack cash in small bills in case shops are open but unable to process card payments.
