The 8 Best Survival Food Companies for Long-Term Food Storage Compared

We have all watched stores run out of essential supplies during emergencies such as storms, other natural disasters, outbreaks of sickness like the COVID-19 pandemic, or even just from the news making things sound worse than they actually are! If stores can’t meet demands during such minor emergencies, what will happen during a major emergency when everything shuts down completely? No one wants that to happen but it is a possibility, and we believe it is important to prepare for the “just in case” scenarios.

In the case of a major emergency, it is important to have access to water, food, shelter, and other survival supplies.

These are the 8 best survival food supply companies for long-term food storage. While each of these companies have great products, in this article I will be breaking down the strengths of each company so that you can pick which one(s) best meets your needs.

The 8 Best Survival Food Companies for Long-Term Food Storage

My Patriot Supply
Thrive Life
4 Patriots
Mountain House
Emergency Essentials
Legacy Food Storage
Ready Wise
Augason Farms

What to look for: All of the companies on this list have good products that will last a long time, which of course is the biggest concern for survival food. Most of them will last for around 25 years when left unopened. Two other important factors to keep in mind are the cost of the product and the calories per person per day that the product contains.

All of these companies provide great products that will keep food on your table when the grocery stores can’t, but each company is different. After reading this analysis you will be able to choose which company(s) best meets your needs.

1. My Patriot Supply

Calories: My Patriot Supply contains the highest average daily calorie intake on this list with an average of 2,136 calories per day per person. Some emergency food products will leave you feeling like you’ve only eaten an appetizer, but if anyone can fill you up, it’s My Patriot Supply. In addition, their 3-month supply kit is tied with Augason Farms for the best price per calorie.
Packaging: Their packaging is super durable. The bulk supply options come in water-resistant buckets, inside of which are resealable individual food packages with oxygen absorbers to ensure that the food will stay good for as long as possible. Their buckets have a square footprint, making them optimal for stacking and taking up minimal space.
Shelf Life: Their survival food will last for 25 years unopened.
Sales/Deals: They have occasional sales like the one during September for National Preparedness Month. You should also keep an eye on their deals of the day. They also have discounts for military, veterans, first responders, and other government workers.
Variety: 22 different food and drink varieties will keep you from getting tired of eating the same thing over and over again.
Diets and Allergies: Dietary guidance is provided on their website for those looking for gluten-free, dairy-free, limited sodium, limited sugar, vegetarian, soy-free, vegan, protein-heavy, and/or limited carb options. Oh, and most importantly, “Options for People Who Can’t Survive without Dessert!”
Preparation: All that is needed to prepare the meals is water and a heat source. They even tell you that you’ll need to have 38.9 gallons of water to prepare a 3-month supply of food.
Shipping: They provide free shipping for any orders over $99 (only in the lower 48 states. Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada have paid shipping options).
Company: They are a US-based, family-owned company that has been operating since 2008. Their goal is to help everyone be prepared for whatever might happen.
Warranty: They offer a warranty option which ensures that if your food is destroyed in a natural disaster it will be replaced within its 25-year shelf life.
Other Products/Resources: My Patriot Supply’s website has a lot of useful information that will help you get prepared for anything. They also have other survival products such as solar power generators, first-aid, water filtration, survival seeds, survival coffee, etc.

Check out My Patriot Supply’s 3 Month Emergency Food Supply here.

2. Thrive Life

Calories: Thrive live products are not pre-planned meals, so there is no set calorie amount. Instead, they primarily sell individual ingredients that you can create your own meals with. Their preservation process maintains all of the nutrients while preserving the product for years. They use a flash freeze method which rapidly freeze dries the food so that ice crystals form quickly and stay small, keeping their products in better condition. This process does not add any preservatives or other chemicals.
Packaging: Many of their products come in bulk #10 cans, others in smaller pantry cans, and some things like their “snackies” are in resealable bags. One of the potential downsides of their products is their packaging. They are not as stackable or easy to organize as the bulk buckets that other companies have, instead, they are more like other standard pantry products. To help with organization though, they do sell various organizer shelves.
Shelf Life: Most of their products have a 25-year shelf life, but some of their products (carrot dices, mashed potatoes, etc.) are significantly shorter (as low as 1 year in some cases). They aren’t sneaky about it though, and have a page on their website disclosing the shelf life of all of their products. After opening, most products will be good for 6-12 months.
Sales/Deals: Thrive Life has a page on their website where you can find their current deals.
Variety: They have tons of options in categories such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, snacks, and other miscellaneous foods. Their various variety packs can help make buying in bulk easier so that you don’t have to individually add each item to your cart. Some of the packs that they offer are the Chef Packs, 1 & 3 Month Supply Power Pack, Customer Favorites, Veggie Variety Packs, Meat Packs, etc.
Diets and Allergies: You can use their products in your own recipes or use any of the many recipes on their website. You can also organize their recipes by different diets or by what ingredients you have in your pantry. If you want further guidance, Thrive Life even has consultants that can help out.
Preparation: All you have to do is scoop out the amount of whatever food you are going to prepare, add the appropriate amount of water, and eat it or cook it. Some things like their snackies do not require any preparation.
Shipping: They have different shipping rates for different purchase sizes. You can get free shipping if you sign up for their delivery service. Subscribing to their delivery service is a great way to stock up your survival pantry over time if you can’t swing paying hundreds of dollars for bulk food right now.
Company: Thrive Life donates 5% of their profits to developing countries.
Other Products/Resources: Their website provides tons of recipes that you can make with their products.

Check out Thrive Life’s catalogue of food here and their package deals here.

3. 4 Patriots

Calories: 4 Patriots‘ meals only provide an average of 1,509 calories per day, making them the lowest on this list. They acknowledge the limited calories, saying, “It’s not intended to be a complete caloric replacement during ‘normal’ times.” They intend to provide only what is necessary, suggesting getting additional food to accompany their 3-Month Survival Food Kit in case of extended emergencies where you would want more than the bare minimum.
Packaging: The meals come in 88 pouches that are split between 2 stackable, water-resistant totes (25”x18”x7”) that are easy to stow away under a bed, in a closet, or the back corner of your pantry.
Shelf Life: The shelf life of their survival food is 25 years.
Sales/Deals: They have a deals tab on their website where you can find some great deals and bundles that include their other non-food-related preparedness products.
Variety: Their 3-Month Survival Food Kit comes with 24 different recipes, which is the most variety offered by any of the companies on this list.
Diets and Allergies: They have limited dietary or allergy options compared to their competitors.
Preparation: Like most of the other companies on this list, their pre-planned meals are very easy to prepare. All you have to do is 1) boil water, 2) add the food packet and let simmer, 3) serve it up and eat it.
Shipping: They provide free shipping on orders over $97.
Company: 4 Patriots is a family-owned company based out of Nashville, Tennessee that came from simple beginnings. Their goals are to provide products that will help people be better prepared and to treat others how they would like to be treated. From my analysis, they deliver on both of these. They are huge supporters of veterans and have donated over $1.25 Million to organizations that support the military and their families. They also donate their products to various organizations.
Other Products/Resources: 4 Patriots have many different products that could be useful during emergencies: bug-out bags, solar generator bundles, water filtration systems, air filtration systems, supplements, etc. Their website is great to peruse and may help you find things that you didn’t know you needed. They also have excellent educational resources such as natural disaster preparedness guides, online classes, and a preparedness blog. Even if you’re not in the market for their products, these resources are still worth checking out.

Check out 4 Patriots 3 Month Emergency Survival Food Kit here.

4. Mountain House

Calories: Mountain House only averages 1,732 calories per day. This puts them on the lower end of our list.
Packaging: Their meals are individually packaged in a durable pouch. They come shipped in a cardboard box meaning there is no tote or bucket to help with storage.
Shelf life: They are so confident in their freeze drying process that they have a 30 year guarantee on their products.
Sales/Deals: They have a sales page where you can find their current deals.
Variety: There are only 10 different meals in their 3 month emergency supply.
Diets and Allergies: Unfortunately they don’t offer much when it comes to different diets and allergies. They do have gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian products, but those are mostly for individual meals, not emergency supply kits.
Preparation: They say that no pots, pans, or cooking is required. It is ready after just adding water to the pouch. They also include that you will need just under 22 gallons of water for all three months of food.
Shipping: Free shipping is offered for all ground orders.
Company: Since 1969 they have been selling their USA-made products.

Check out Mountain House’s 3 Month Emergency Food Supply Kit here.

5. Emergency Essentials

Calories: At 2,007 calories, Emergency Essentials has the second-highest daily average calorie count. They are also on the lower end of cost per calorie, making them a great choice if your priority is to have as many calories as possible.
Packaging: They also use durable pouches for individual meals that are collectively stored in a square bucket, making their food protected, easily stackable, and easily transportable.
Shelf Life: Their product will last up to 25 years.
Sales/Deals: You can find any current sales on their website. They also offer a military discount for active duty and veterans.
Variety: There are 16 different types of food in each 3-month kit.
Diets and Allergies: A gluten free emergency food kit is offered, but there aren’t many other dietary restricted packages.
Shipping: Different order sizes have different shipping rates, but orders of $149 or more are shipped for free.
Company: In 1987, Emergency Essentials began with one employee selling milk out of a living room. From there they grew to be the emergency food producer they are today.
Other Products/Resources: They also have other preparedness products like solar generators, solar lights, medical kits, etc. There is also a library of learning resources like books and articles on their site.

Check out Emergency Essential’s 3 Month Emergency Food Kit here.

6. Legacy Food Storage

Calories: If you follow their suggested timeline, you’ll only get 1,621 calories per day. But one perk to them advertising the number of servings is that you can easily choose how many servings you will personally need and thus customize your calorie intake rather than sticking to a limited food plan.
Packaging: Their food is also packaged in individual pouches which are stored in square buckets. Their buckets are not very big but still easy to stack. The smaller buckets might make moving them around more manageable, especially for older people or people with disabilities.
Shelf Life: They advertise a shelf life of up to 25 years.
Sales/Deals: If you have a group of friends who want to purchase over 4,320 servings, you might qualify for the group discount.
Variety: Their 240 servings pack includes 16 varieties of meals.
Diets and Allergies: Legacy Food Storage offers limited allergy and dietary options, but they do offer gluten-free options.
Shipping: Shipping is completely free to all of the contiguous United States.
Other Products/Resources: Legacy Food Storage also has other products such as survival and bug-out kits. They even have Emergency Pet Survival Kits for your dog or cat. If you have pets, don’t forget that you’ll also need to provide for them in an emergency. They also have several different educational resources including a library of videos to help you prepare for emergencies.

Check out Legacy Food Storage’s 240 Serving Package here.

7. Ready Wise

Calories: Right up there with Emergency essentials, Ready Wise has a daily average of 2,064 calories. In cost they are also right behind the other cheapest per-calorie options.
Packaging: The 3-month supply comes with 6 square buckets that are easy to stack and store. The meals are in individual pouches which usually contain 6 servings to cut down on waste.
Shelf Life: Their products can last up to 25 years.
Sales/Deals: They have a deals tab that contains some significant savings opportunities.
Variety: Their 3-month supply comes with 12 different food choices.
Diets and Allergies: They have various dietary options, though they are pretty limited in this area.
Preparation: All you need is water and a heat source. For the 3-month supply, they tell you that you will need a total of 45 gallons of water.
Shipping: Shipping costs will depend on where you live. It was free for us, but you’ll have to place an order to see for yourself.
Other Products/Resources: They also have survival bags, water filtration and storage options, emergency supplies, and generators.

Check out Ready Wise’s 3 Month Emergency Food Supply here.

8. Augason Farms

Calories: Augason Farms has an average daily calorie count of 1,854. They are tied with My Patriot Supply for the cheapest product per calorie on this list.
Packaging: Their one-month supply comes in a square bucket that is great for stacking and storing with individual pouches inside.
Shelf Life: Their product can last up to 25 years.
Sales/Deals: They have a tab on their website where you can find current sales.
Variety: Their one-month supply includes 9 different meals.
Preparation: The preparation is easy, just add water and heat it up.
Shipping: You can order Augason Farms’ products online, but what makes them unique is that you can also find them in stores near you such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Home Depot, etc.
Company: Augason Farms has been family-owned and operated since 1972.
Other products/resources: They have fewer options and resources, but you can find different food options and emergency kits on their website as well as a few blog posts.

Check out Augason Farms’ 30 day Emergency Food Supply here.

Calorie and Cost Comparisons

Below are three charts that can help you rank which company best suits your needs depending on your priorities. If you want to know which companies offer the most food per meal, look at the “Average Calories Per Day Chart.” If you are looking for the cheapest option, look at the “Cost Per Day” Chart.” And if you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck (an affordable option that offers the most food), check out the “Cost Per 100 Calories” chart.

Don’t forget that Thrive Life is a great option, even though they cannot be analyzed side by side with the other companies. I have still found them to be reasonably priced, and the nutrients in their ingredients will hold up with any fresh food of the same type.

Average Calories Per Day:

Cost Per Day

Cost Per 100 Calories

I find it fascinating that when these three charts are compared, there are 3 companies that appear in the top three slots multiple times.

My Patriot Supply offers the most calories per day and is tied for the cheapest cost per calorie. They also only come in second place for daily cost. That is a pretty amazing accomplishment to deliver so much food and still be as affordable as they are. Not only that, but their products are some of the most reviewed and best reviewed that I was able to find. We also personally really enjoy their food.

If you are not keen on using My Patriot Supply but still have a budget or caloric priority, Augason Farms and Ready Wise are still great options. Augason Farms is by far the cheapest per day and probably the best option for you if money is a concern but you don’t need that many calories per day to be comfortable. Ready Wise is another great option if you need a lot of calories and are on a budget but don’t prefer My Patriot Supply.

What we Recommend for Your Preparedness Pantry

For us, there are two clear winners on this list. My Patriot Supply is clearly the most outstanding product on this list because they produce a great product at a great price. They make it super easy to stock your emergency pantry with bulk food so you can stop worrying.

Thrive Life is the other winner. I would recommend having their products in your pantry along side My Patriot Supply because it allows you to cook your own meals and not just stay on a pre-planned schedule. This will be helpful in case of an extended emergency where you could get tired of eating the same meals over and over again. They are also a great way to grow your emergency pantry over time with their scheduled delivery service.

Here is a picture of our homesteads emergency pantry.

I don’t want to discourage you from trying the other options, but these are our favorites and what you’ll mainly find in our homestead’s emergency pantry. Even though we recommend My Patriot Supply and Thrive Life, we understand that they might not fit your needs as well as some of the other companies on this list. The most important thing is being prepared, so give them all a try if you want and find what works best for you.