Prepper - Preparing for emergencies, what basic food supplies do I need

Miriam Weitz
March 17, 2023
What might a food emergency supply look like?
Shelf life is just one criterion for the food items one should stockpile. Every supply is also something very personal and should be tailored to individual taste and any food intolerances or allergies. Because it's pointless if I have an emergency supply 'by the book', but I don't like half of the items and can't eat the other half due to intolerances. In addition, all macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins should be present in the food, and this is where the first advantage of the SpeisekammerApp comes into play: For every scanned product, all the nutritional information is provided. Of course, calorie needs also play a role. An adult needs about 2000 calories on average. Active people naturally consume more accordingly.
The shopping list
As we have already mentioned above, each emergency supply is a very individual matter. Therefore, this list is not 'set in stone'. It is intended merely as a guideline that you can follow. Our list does not include frozen food supplies - and there is a good reason for that. In the event of a flood causing a prolonged power outage, frozen food supplies will quickly be lost, because eventually even the best emergency generator will give out if a freezer is running on it all the time.
Try to integrate your supplies into your everyday routine and track the items with their storage location in the SpeisekammerApp. This way, your inventory is always up to date, and the risk of something spoiling is almost eliminated ;) Otherwise, the 'First in - First out' principle applies to your stock. This means that the product you bought first should also be the first one you use up.

Shopping Tips
You don't have to stock up on groceries all at once; you can gradually build up your supply. For instance, if you buy pasta, just take an extra package and immediately record it with its storage location in the SpeisekammerApp.
This is what your prepper food supplies could look like
· Instant soups
· Bouillon
· Pepper, Salt
· Other dry spices (for example: basil, oregano, garlic)
· Ready-made meals in cans such as chili con or sin carne, ravioli, spaghetti, etc.
(best to capture the expiration date right away in the SpeisekammerApp
· Ready-made sauces in jars
· Dog and/or cat food as well as other pet food
· Jerky
· Cured sausage
· Hard cheese
· Instant coffee and/or tea and/or cocoa
· Rusk and/or crispbread
· Packaged whole grain bread
· Oatmeal/Cereal flakes
· Pasta and/or rice
· Dried legumes such as beans, peas, or lentils
· Possible egg substitute
· Nuts and oils
· Hardtack
· Honey/Maple syrup/Corn syrup/Sugar syrup
· Sugar
· Dried fruits
· Raisins
· Dry milk/Milk powder
· Since milk powder isn't for everyone, you are also welcome to buy regular shelf-stable milk.
· Baby food
· Potatoes
· Oatmeal
· Flour
· Sauerkraut in a jar or can
· Red cabbage in a jar or can
· Fruit in cans or jars
· Fresh fruits and vegetables
· Canned or jarred vegetables
· Eggs (First In, First Out principle! Eggs are among the perishable
foods)
· Possible powdered meal replacement drinks
Beverages
Water or beverages are of course also extremely important. You should account for about three liters of fluid per person per day - and that's just for drinking. So you will also need water for cooking and of course for your domestic and/or farm animals. A good rule of thumb is about four to five liters (although more is always better, of course). You might be able to install a rainwater collection tank at your home. Food-grade jerry cans are suitable for storage, and they come in various sizes. Water filters are also worth acquiring, in case you no longer have access to clean water. A camping stove is also essential, if only to boil the water.

New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!

Get the most out of your Smantry App: Activate these premium features!
🖼️ Private photos for your articles
Make your inventory management visual! With the feature "Upload Your Own Images" you can add a photo to each item – for example, of the packaging, the jar, or the portion in the freezer. This is especially helpful if you share with others in a community or if you want to visually remember your supplies better.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → "Activate Personal Pictures"
🔍 Target nutritional information
The app automatically displays calorie and nutritional information – super convenient when you're shopping or eating mindfully. Don't need this info right now or want a cleaner view? You can also simply hide the display!
Control:Profile → Account Settings → Enable “Hide Nutritional Information”, to hide it.
💶 Prices & Expenses at a Glance
If you want to know how much you spend on which item or how much money is lying dormant in your pantry, the Price Entry feature can help you. With it, you can plan your shopping even better and even track your budget.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → “Enable price input”
💡 Prepper Mode: Even More Control
The Prepper Mode has been introduced for those who really want to keep track of everything – including minimum quantities, emergency supplies, and individual notes for serious situations. It's also useful if you just want to make sure you never run out of anything important.
Activation: Open app → Account (last tab in the mobile app) → Settings → “Show Prepper Information”
Here's how you can find your account settings
In the mobile app you can find the settings easily in the last tab on the far right (Account). In the web app click on Account → "Settings".
All mentioned features are part of the Premium-Version. If you don't have a premium license yet, feel free to check in the app or on app.speisekammer.app/upgrade – there's also a family license available!
✨ Conclusion: You have more options than you think. Activate the hidden premium features now and get the most out of your Smantry app. Because smart inventory management starts with the right tools.
If you have any questions about activation, feel free to contact support or check out our Help Center. And if you have feature requests – we always welcome your feedback!

Never forget leftovers again: Soon you'll be able to mark opened products 🧃✨
💡 The new feature: Mark products as "opened"
With the upcoming update, you will soon be able to specify in the Pantry App when a product was opened. This way, you always keep track:
- What is already open
- Since when it has been open
This is particularly useful for fresh or perishable food items, but also for sauces, canned goods, spreads, or snacks.
🔔 Reminders included
Of course, if you wish, you will also be automatically reminded, when an opened product should soon be consumed – all in keeping with the motto: Use rather than waste.
🎯 Why this is important
Food waste often doesn't occur while shopping – but at home, in everyday life. If we know better what is open and should be consumed, it becomes easier to make the right decisions. And that's exactly what the Pantry App wants to support you with even better with the new feature.
🛠 When will it be time?
We are currently working hard on the implementation – the feature is expected to be rolled out in the next update. So you will be able to test it very soon yourself.
If you want to participate in the testing or have feedback, feel free to write to us in support. We look forward to your ideas!
With the Pantry App, stockpiling becomes not only more sustainable, but also easier – step by step.
Stay tuned – it's getting exciting! 💚

🌍 Small ideas – big impact: These companies help you save food in everyday life
🍏 Foodsi (Poland)
This mobile app connects users with restaurants, bakeries and cafés offering surplus food at reduced prices—especially valuable in Polish cities like Warsaw or Kraków.
🛍️ OLIO – Share Surplus Food with Neighbors
OLIO connects neighbors and local businesses to share surplus food instead of throwing it away. Users can offer or request free food via the app — reducing waste and building community.
🍌 Imperfect Foods – Selling "Ugly" but Edible Food
This U.S.-based grocery delivery service rescues "imperfect" produce and surplus goods that major supermarkets reject due to appearance or overstocking — and delivers them directly to your door.
🔗 https://www.imperfectfoods.com
📦 Dispatch Goods – Reusable Packaging for Takeout
Dispatch Goods partners with restaurants to replace single-use containers with reusable packaging. This reduces packaging waste — and their system tracks and collects the containers for reuse.
🔗 https://www.dispatchgoods.com
🥬 Fresh.Land – Farm-to-Consumer to Prevent Waste (DK)
Fresh.Land shortens the supply chain by connecting consumers directly with farmers. This means fresher produce, longer shelf life, and fewer losses due to long storage or transport.
🧊 ColdHubs – Solar-Powered Cold Storage in Nigeria
ColdHubs installs solar-powered cold rooms for small farmers and markets to store perishable foods. This innovation significantly extends shelf life and reduces spoilage in hot climates.
🧃 Winnow – AI to Track Food Waste in Commercial Kitchens
Winnow’s smart scales and AI help restaurants and hotels measure and reduce food waste. By showing how much food is wasted and why, kitchens can adapt their behavior.
🔗 https://www.winnowsolutions.com
Why this matters for you
When you use the Smantry app, you can track and manage rescued food items in your pantry – whether they came from Foodsi, Karma, or another initiative. We’re building integrations to log these products, set reminders, and reduce waste in your household.
Know any other businesses doing this well?
We’d love to hear about them! Email your favourites to kira@mantry.com or write us in the chat or social media. Your tip might inspire others and be featured next. 🌿