When preparing for an economic collapse or the coming Great Depression, it’s crucial to have a well-rounded and budget-friendly emergency food supply. Luckily, Walmart offers a vast selection of shelf-stable essentials that can sustain you and your family during challenging times. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 36 must-have food items available at Walmart, along with a simple, inexpensive rice and canned chicken recipe that’s perfect for those on a tight budget.
1. Rice: Rice is a versatile and cost-effective staple that can serve as the foundation for countless meals. It’s a great source of carbohydrates and can keep you feeling full and energized.
2. Pasta: Budget-friendly pasta is not only filling but can also be paired with various sauces and ingredients to create satisfying dishes.
3. Canned Beans: High in both protein and fiber, canned beans are a dietary powerhouse and a crucial addition to your pantry.
4. Canned Vegetables: Walmart offers a variety of canned vegetables such as corn, peas, and carrots, providing essential nutrients to your meals.
5. Canned Fruits: Canned fruits offer a touch of sweetness and vital vitamins, offering a mood-boosting treat during tough times.
6. Canned Tomatoes: Perfect for making sauces, stews, and soups, canned tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
7. Canned Tuna: Canned tuna is a protein-rich option that can be enjoyed straight from the can or used to create a multitude of dishes.
8. Peanut Butter: This affordable, protein-packed spread not only tastes delicious but is also a reliable source of energy.
9. Cereal: Choose whole-grain options to start your day with a nutritious and filling breakfast.
10. Oats: Versatile oats can be used for making hot cereal, baking, or as an ingredient in homemade granola bars.
11. Pasta Sauce: Essential for adding flavor to your pasta dishes, Walmart offers a wide range of affordable sauce options.
12. Honey: This natural sweetener never spoils and can be used to sweeten beverages, sauces, and baked goods.
13. Soup Mix: Varieties like chicken noodle or vegetable soup are not only nourishing but also comforting during challenging times.
14. Instant Coffee/Tea Bags: Keep your spirits up with a hot beverage; Walmart offers an array of affordable coffee and tea options.
15. Powdered Milk: A source of calcium and protein, powdered milk is a pantry staple that can be used in cooking and for drinking.
16. Flour: Essential for baking bread and other homemade treats, flour is a versatile ingredient for your pantry.
17. Baking Powder: A crucial ingredient for making your own bread and pastries, ensuring you have leavening agents is a smart move.
18. Sugar: This versatile sweetener is essential for beverages and baking, allowing you to create a wide range of recipes.
19. Salt: An essential seasoning and preservative, salt is a pantry must-have.
20. Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is a cooking staple that provides both flavor and calories to your meals.
21. Vinegar: This versatile ingredient can be used for cooking, cleaning, and preserving food.
22. Spices and Seasonings: Enhance the flavor of your dishes with a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings available at Walmart.
23. Bouillon Cubes: These flavor-packed cubes are a quick way to add depth to soups and stews.
24. Instant Mashed Potatoes: Easy to prepare and comforting, instant mashed potatoes are a budget-friendly option.
25. Ramen Noodles: Affordable and quick to cook, ramen noodles are a staple for anyone on a budget.
26. Canned Soup: Walmart offers a variety of canned soup flavors, making it easy to switch up your meals.
27. Canned Meat: Consider adding canned chicken or spam to your pantry for an additional source of protein.
28. Powdered Drink Mixes: Add flavor to your water or powdered milk with these affordable mixes.
29. Saltine Crackers: These versatile crackers are perfect for snacking and can serve as a base for various dishes.
30. Dried Fruit: Dried fruits provide a tasty and nutritious snack, adding variety to your diet.
31. Nuts: High in protein and healthy fats, nuts are an excellent source of energy.
32. Granola Bars: These convenient snacks are ideal for on-the-go nourishment.
33. Canned Spaghetti: A simple and satisfying meal option, canned spaghetti is budget-friendly and quick to prepare.
34. Pancake Mix: Easy to make and versatile, pancake mix can be used for breakfast or dinner. “Just Add Water” varieties are ideal to stock up on.
35. Macaroni and Cheese: This classic comfort food is quick to prepare and budget-friendly.
36. Evaporated Milk: Ideal for creamy soups, baking, and beverages, evaporated milk is a versatile dairy product.
Budget-Friendly Rice and Canned Chicken Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 can of canned chicken
- 1 can of canned vegetables (e.g., peas and carrots)
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the canned chicken (including the liquid) and sauté for a few minutes until it’s heated through.
- Add the canned vegetables to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the rice on plates or bowls, and top it with the canned chicken and vegetable mixture.
This simple yet hearty meal is not only budget-friendly but also provides essential nutrients and sustenance during challenging times.
With these 36 essential food items from Walmart, you can create a well-rounded and budget-friendly emergency food supply to prepare for economic collapse or other difficult situations. As we move forward toward highly uncertain times, a substantial food storage program is critical.
Take care all –
Rourke
Wow! I suppose people could live on that stuff for a while but there sure is no health benefit in it. Many on the list are simple poison like sugar. Let me give you aa little gem called Stevia. It’s not only cancer food but actually shown in studies to be good for you.
I loaded up on canned goods years ago, about the time that I found this site. What turned out was that I have had to throw out all that stuff as it went bad can by can. I bought it for emergency use but learned that with the food I grow I never was desperate enough to eat from the bottom shelf which is what that stuff is. Don’t get me wrong, any food is good food if that is all you have but I think it’s a poor choice for anyone trying to stay healthy during a time when your government prefers you to be dead. As far as beans go I have bought loads of dried beans which will keep like the rice. I do agree that we should have plenty of both for the mess we see coming.
Build that dirt as I have been saying for years. Gardening isn’t so much about growing plants as it is about growing the microbiome in the soil. Get it mulched heavy and let nature do the work for you.
As far as Walmart goes, at least in my area of SW Florida, I have seen there pricing go nuts! They have no concerns about low prices under this fake pResident and the inflation the criminal Fed has brought on us. I have been shopping around and find Aldi prices to beat Walmart in most areas. They are especially good for bread. I hit Big Lots today for their 20% off sale. Didn’t get much but got great deals on salted peanuts and Halloween candy.
Things are sliding downhill quickly so we need to buy the best we can find for the little money we have. My living was destroyed last Sept 28th when Hurricane Ian and her storm surge wiped me out so I’m definitely trying to stretch the few coins I have left as far as they will go so I look forward to suggestions for places to find affordable real whole food instead of the processed garbage that will finish the job on you that Dr. Farcie and Bill Gates has started.
Damn. I hate how I can’t edit comments here but it is what it is. To correct: Sugar is poison. Stevia is actually good for you. Wish I could fix the typos too but hey, you can get my drift.
So, sugar is poison, don’t buy nearly anything on this list. You got a great deal on Halloween candy, a good choice to avoid all the sugar found in things like sugar and peanut butter ( and that’s it, out of 36 items, unless you count naturally occurring sugars in fruits and honey). You have saved us all!
Well Ken, when the little Goblins come to the door on Halloween, I will have basket of crap to poison them with.
Capt – I understand your perspective regarding long-term health, however, we are discussing pure survival. Calories are what matters for the most part. If I put together 12 months of food, my hope is that it will actually last upwards of three years as I supplement with food obtained locally as well as grown. If we are looking at severe economic conditions where inflation makes all food more expensive again we need food that can store long-term, shelf stable. The list covers as many bases as possible including cost, shelf life, and calories. Vitamins and minerals are secondary.
Great comment regarding gardening and the relationship with the soil. So true!!
Canned goods for me are one of the most critical and budget-friendly items. You mentioned that yours went bad. What happened? Please share.
You mentioned affordable real whole food. My first thought with that one beyond your own growing, canning, and freezing – is having a freeze drier. I’ll think about that.
Thanks JR. I had the cans stored in several, actually 4 Igloo 60 Quart coolers. As I would check them from time to time I would find that several cans failed and were leaking contents so I would remove the bad ones, wash everything that was affected by the juices, and put them back to “sleep”. These were all various kinds of veggies. I have had better luck on the midsize cans of baked beans. Those are still going strong from around 2010.
Would love to have a freeze drier but instead have a 30 cu ft chest freezer and a 27 cu ft upright freezer so I do have enormous freezer space for a single person household. Also remember, I have a large battery backed solar power system to keep these things running. I have a dehydrator and do use it for making moringa powder, turmeric, ginger, and some other things.
Down here in the subtropics I have a sea of sweet potatoes, both the orange variety that most are familiar with and also Okinawa purple growing in the back yard where 100s of cubic ft of wood chips have been laid in over the years to transform the formerly sugar sand to dark, rich humous. I have a lady friend who lives near Manila in the Philippines who sent me a few of them (the purples) maybe five years ago and they are going strong. The storm surge flood from a year ago destroyed my crop for the year but the plants came back and with luck I will get a nice crop this year. These are extremely nutritionally dense and a great source of calories. They can be grown in the summer over much of the country but being as far north as you are I would go all in on white potatoes of various varieties. I have read that a person can not only survive but remain remarkably healthy on a diet of nothing but potatoes for a long time. I think we should also be growing many different root crops since they all share great nutrition and decent caloric profiles.
I wish I could grow ribeye steaks and beer. Then I would be truly at peace about whatever they have planned. 😉