Food to Stock for a Snow Storm Emergency

Stocking up on food in case of emergency is a smart idea. When roads are impassable due to snow or ice, it's important to have essentials in your home. There are three basic categories of snow storm emergencies: housebound with no power, housebound with power or a heat source, and general comfort items.

Suggestions of non-perishable food and drink items to stock in case of losing power during a snow storm:

Drinks: Bottled water, if needed. (Our water still works when we lose power, but in some regions it doesn't.) Juice or juice boxes, powdered milk, Ensure or Pediasure, powdered drink mixes like Gatorade or Kool Aid.

Food: Crackers or cracker sandwiches, peanut butter, canned fruit, Pop Tarts, granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, Power Bars, canned chicken, canned tuna, dry cereal. Don't forget extra baby food, if you have a baby. You may also want to consider Lunchables if you're stocking up the day before a storm. (As much as I groan at the thought of them, they can sit out for a long time and they don't require any preparation.)

Suggestions of non-perishable food items for when you're housebound because of a snow storm but you still have power or a means to warm food and water (like a pot over the fireplace):

Drinks: Hot chocolate mix, tea, instant coffee.

Food: Canned soup, canned vegetables, canned pasta like Beefaroni, Spaghetti-O's or mini ravioli, Ramen noodles or cup of soup, and hot cereals such as oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, or Farina.

Suggestions for non-perishable general comfort items to have in your home in the event of a snow storm emergency:

Junk food. What it lacks in nutrition, it makes up in shelf life. You can be a healthy eater the rest of the time, but on day three of being snowbound, Doritos are good. Hostess and Little Debbie baked goods have a really long shelf life, too.

Candy. Candy is probably a treat under normal circumstances, so under a stressful circumstance like being confined to one room with your entire family round the clock with no end in sight, a little candy becomes a BIG treat. If you have little ones, you'll need it for bribes. If you have moody ones, you'll just plain need it- period.

Paper goods: Kleenex, napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper are all good things to have in your snow storm emergency kit, for obvious reasons. Baby wipes come in handy, too.

Games or books. If you're stocking a box with snow storm emergencies food and drinks, add a deck of cards, a crossword or Sudoku book, or other similar items to help pass the time. As long as you have to be housebound, you might as well make the most of it!