How To Prepare for a Winter Emergency

With locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, we at Sparkle Markets are no strangers to bitter and unrelenting winters. Between losing power and water, to getting stuck inside for days at a time, winter emergencies can be cause for serious concern! Before the next storm arrives, make sure to stock up on the right groceries and brush up on your food safety.

Step 1: Stock Your Non-Perishables

One of the most common results of a winter storm is loss of power aka no working fridge, freezer or (electric) stove. That means perishable foods like meat and milk are less than ideal to have stocked. Instead, fill your shelves with plenty of non-perishable items. Think of things like canned fruits and veggies, jerky, dry cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, crackers and instant potatoes. Make sure to also have plenty of bottled water and fruit juices, in case your local water is contaminated or shut off. Try to avoid foods that will make you thirsty (again, in case of no water) and don’t forget about any special groceries your family might need, i.e. baby food, gluten-free products or comfort food. How many non-perishable items should you have stocked? Ready.gov recommends storing at least a three-day supply of food for emergency situations.

Step 2: Stay Safe & Sanitary

You’ve traveled to your local Sparkle Market, stocked your pantry and the storm has hit. Now what? Stay safe and keep things sanitary! Loss of electricity means that most food stored in your fridge and freezer won’t be safe to eat. Frozen food can still be eaten if it’s “refrigerator cold,” and can be re-frozen if it still has ice crystals. Any perishable food (meats especially) that sits at room temperature for 2+ hours should be thrown out. To conserve cold air, try to keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The average unopened fridge will keep food cold for about four hours after being shut off. Keep food in covered containers to avoid bacteria and clean your utensils using bottled water.

Step 3: Get Creative with Cooking

A winter emergency doesn’t have to mean eating bowls of cereal for the next three days! Experiment with alternative cooking sources like a candle warmer, fondue pot or fireplace. Or, create meals that don’t require an oven or stove at all! If you have fresh strawberries or bananas that are about to go bad, make PB & J On a Stick. For a boost of energy, make Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites. And this recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is another great snack that uses only canned nonperishable items. For more creative recipes, visit our Great Groceries Recipe Archive.

Don’t be unprepared when a winter weather emergency hits! Whether you lose power or get snowed in, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place. Head to your local Sparkle Market to grab all the nonperishables you’ll need to survive the next Snowmageddon.