By Stacy Williams
This site uses affiliate links and may earn a small commission when you click on them. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy.Six Dollar Family also participates in the Amazon.com/Amazon.UK/Amazon.ca affiliate program and as such may earn a commission when you shop on Amazon through our links.
So it’s official. As of March 10, 2020 the world is officially in the grips of a new pandemic. Are you finding yourself panicking? If you are; stop. Breathe. Now is not the time for you to panic; it’s the time for you to slow down and learn how to prepare for a pandemic. One of the biggest things you will need is a food supply for a pandemic that will help your family as we head into uncertain territory.
It can be hard not to panic in a pandemic situation. Trust me, I know.I am just as human as you are and have the same reactions as you.
But running out and spending every dime you have on a food supply for a pandemic won’t really do your family any good in the long run. If you spend all your cash on a pandemic food supply, how are you going to pay your bills?
How to Build a Food Supply for a Pandemic on a Budget
Because make no mistake, your bills will still be due and when the pandemic is over with, you will want your family in a decent financial position.
Panic buying won’t put you in that position so please. I urge you. Before you read on; breathe.
Once you have calmed yourself down, take the time to create an emergency budget for your family. This emergency budget is what will carry your family through any emergency situation but especially a pandemic or worldwide virus situation.
If you do not have an emergency budget, you will be completely at the mercy of impulse buys and may spend more than your family can afford.
If you have never created an one, I walk you through how to create an emergency budget HERE. As you are creating your budget, make certain to set as much money as possible aside for your pandemic food supply.
How to Build a Pandemic Food Supply on a Budget
Once you have your budget done, you are ready to start building a food supply for a pandemic. Set aside some time to go shopping and keeping the don’t panic thing in mind; get ready to hit the stores and go shopping.
Check Sale Ads
Obviously if you’re working with a limited budget, you want to save as much money as possible. So your first step should be to check your local sale ads and to make a shopping list from it.
As you go through the ad, try to keep in mind that you’re building an emergency food supply and not doing your regular grocery shopping. Needs only; the wants can wait.
Look for Other Discounts
After you check the sale ads, check for other discounts. This could be something like checking Ibotta for rebates, printing off printable coupons for any items on your list, loading digital coupons and more.
Again, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to do everything you can to save money.
Make a Complete Shopping List
Now you’ll need to fill in your shopping list with the items that are not on sale. Again, keep calm and remember that you’re looking for pandemic foods that can feed your family and keep them healthy.
Snacks for kids are a must as well but keep the sweets and junk foods until you have your pandemic food supply already built.
Use Cash if Possible
Like it or not, others will be panic buying. This is another reason I am telling you to stay calm. When you are panicked, you lose control of your emotions. Combine that with others who are as well and it makes for an explosive situation.
Because others will be panic buying as well, it also creates a situation where debit and credit card systems could easily become overwhelmed. If you have cash, this will not be an issue.
Just be sure to keep it held tightly to your chest if you get what I mean.
Pandemic Foods to Stock Up On
Like I’ve already said, when you’re building an emergency food supply, you want to stick with things that will allow you to feed your family meals that will both nourish them and comfort them. This can make it hard to build a pandemic foods supply if you are not sure where to even begin, right?
Ideally, the food you stock should be shelf-stable and in order to save money, able to be made into meals. In other words, it is better to stock ingredients than it is to stock meals.
Keeping the health and comfort of your family in mind, and what I just said here are a few ideas for stocking for your emergency food supply.
Emergency Food Supply List
- Rice
- Flour
- Sugar
- Pasta
- Pasta Sauce
- Canned Tomatoes
- Canned and Dry Beans
- Canned and Instant Potatoes
- Canned Chicken and Tuna
- Soups and Soup Mixes
- Peanut Butter
- Yeast
- Mayo and other condiments
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Cornstarch
- Cold Cereal
- Oats and Oatmeal
- Canned Mushrooms
- Canned Fruits
- Dehydrated Fruits
- Trail Mix
- Saltines
- Ground Coffee
- Instant Tea or Tea Bags
- Powdered Coffee Creamer
- Garlic and other cooking spices
- Salt
- Canned vegetables
- Bottled Water
- Bottled Juices
Obviously, the list of foods to stock for emergencies is far longer than that, but the ones listed are a great place to get started.
