Emergency Food Bars for Shelter-in-Place and Emergency Kits

More Prepared emergency food bars provide shelf-stable, ready-to-eat calories for situations where cooking, refrigeration, or food service is unavailable. US Coast Guard approved and made in the USA, these compact rations are widely used in classrooms, offices, emergency kits, rolling bins, and facility preparedness supplies to support occupants during shelter-in-place events, evacuations, and extended emergencies.

Available from SOS, Mayday, Datrex, Mainstay, and New Millennium in calorie formats ranging from 400 to 3,600 calories per bar, emergency food bars are a practical and cost-effective solution for organizations planning emergency food supplies for groups of any size. Available individually, by the case, and by the pallet for large-scale institutional programs. Purchase orders, tax-exempt orders, GSA contract, CMAS, and cooperative purchasing available for qualifying organizations.

26 products

Choosing Emergency Food Bars

Emergency food bars provide compact, ready-to-eat calories without requiring refrigeration, cooking, heating, water, or utensils. They are commonly stored in classrooms, offices, vehicles, emergency kits, rolling bins, evacuation supplies, and facility emergency-storage areas.

Calorie Size and Packaging

Food bars are available in different calorie sizes, flavors, package formats, and internal portion configurations. Smaller individually wrapped bars are useful for student kits, personal kits, and controlled distribution. Larger multi-serving packages may be more practical for group kits and institutional storage.

Review each product’s calorie content, serving instructions, ingredients, certifications, packaging, and stated shelf life before calculating quantities. Do not assume that every bar or package represents the same number of meals or days of nutrition.

Planning Quantities

Calculate quantities using:

  • Maximum expected occupancy
  • Planned emergency duration
  • Calories or servings provided by the selected product
  • Age and needs of the intended population
  • Dietary and allergy requirements
  • Distribution locations and procedures
  • Available emergency drinking water

Food bars provide calories but do not replace drinking water. Emergency water should be stored separately as part of the same preparedness program.

For pre-calculated food and water quantities, shop 72-Hour Emergency Ration Kits.

Storage and Rotation

Store food bars indoors in a cool, dry location away from sunlight, moisture, pests, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Inspect supplies regularly and follow the manufacturer’s date markings and storage instructions.

Use a first-in, first-out inventory process and plan replenishment before products reach the end of their recommended shelf life.

Organization and Institutional Purchasing

Food bars are available individually, by the case, and in larger program quantities. More Prepared supports schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, government agencies, shelters, public safety organizations, and multi-site preparedness programs.

Purchase orders, tax-exempt purchasing, volume pricing, case and pallet quantities, contract purchasing, vendor documentation, and coordinated delivery are available for qualifying organizations.

Request an emergency food bar quote →

quotes@moreprepared.com | 888.733.7245

Emergency Food Bar FAQs

Do emergency food bars require water or preparation?

Emergency food bars are ready to eat and do not require cooking, heating, utensils, or water for preparation. A separate emergency drinking-water supply is still necessary for hydration.

How many food bars should be stored per person?

The answer depends on the selected product’s calorie and serving information, the intended duration, and your organization’s emergency plan. Calculate from the manufacturer’s rationing instructions rather than assuming that every bar supports the same period.

How long do emergency food bars last?

Shelf life varies by brand, product, manufacturing date, packaging, and storage conditions. Follow the date printed on each package and the manufacturer’s current storage guidance. Excessive heat can shorten usable shelf life.

Are emergency food bars appropriate for schools?

They are commonly selected for schools because they are compact, easy to distribute, and require no preparation. Schools should review ingredients, allergens, portion sizes, age appropriateness, and district nutrition or emergency-planning requirements before selecting a product.

How are food bars packaged?

Some products are sold as individually wrapped bars. Larger ration packages may contain multiple portions, but internal packaging varies. Review the product contents and images to confirm how portions will be distributed.

What is the difference between food bars and MREs?

Food bars prioritize compact storage and simple distribution. MREs generally provide a more complete meal format but require more storage space and create more packaging waste. Some programs use food bars for immediate distribution and MREs for longer or more comprehensive feeding needs.