Emergency Menu Development, Food to Keep on Hand

In addition to food for the emergency menus, it may also be necessary to keep items on hand for snacks and other situations. Some ideas for food to keep available include convenience items, shelf-stable items, ready-to-use items, and individually wrapped items. These items may need to be beverages as well as food.

Nutritional products such as tube feedings and supplements will also need to be available. Food items for texture modified diets and thickened liquid diets will still be necessary if there are residents or patients needing these items. Therapeutic diet items may also be necessary for some residents or patients.

A consideration for these and other emergency items is that they may be used in a pinch or be consumed by staff. It is important to take inventory on the emergency supplies to ensure everything is available in the event of an emergency.