For many, the mention of "bunker food" brings mental images of doomsday preppers. But, there's more of a market for this type of product than just the end of civilization, although that tends to be the top reason.
Weather emergencies, power outages, or even terrorism can cause a food emergency. In those situations, you'll likely see a stampede on stores, even lawlessness.
Bunker food saves a family from these panic situations. These foods have a long shelf life (up to 25 years) and store easily. You can purchase packages that contain enough food and drinks for 72 hours to a year or more.
It's not solely a fringe product anymore. Even Wal-Mart sells shelf-stable food brand Augason Farms.
According to the Wall Street Journal, buyers use the food for quick meals, as well as prepping for the zombie apocalypse. But it takes an investment. A month's supply can cost about $285.
One supplier, Wise Food Storage, offers one month, six months, or a year's supply of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods. Rapid Fire Bunker offers food for long term storage, heirloom seeds, mylar food-storage bags and more.
Dr. Carl Blatt, a researcher at Cornell University's Department of Food Science, has suggested that people keep a variety of items on hand: Jell-O, saltine crackers, and tuna and Spam.
You'll also want to keep a supply of water on hand – the professionals at ready.gov and the American Red Cross suggest at least one gallon of water per person for each of three days. Some of the commercial survival food kits do include water.
