Try to include foods that your family will enjoy and that are also high in calories and nutrition. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, such as dried or canned foods, are best. Individuals with special diets and allergies, babies, toddlers, elderly people and nursing mothers may need special foods. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly people.

Make sure you have a manual can opener and disposable utensils.

Typical foods include:

• Canned meat, such as tuna and spam, and vegetable soups
• Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables
• Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Hard candy and canned nuts
• Powdered milk
• Dried fruit
• Dry, crisp crackers
• Commercially packed air-dried or freeze-dried foods
• Baby food and formula
• Long lasting vegetables, such as turnips, potatoes, carrots, apples, squash, etc.