We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When you grow up in Florida like I did, you get really good at grocery shopping during Hurricane season really fast. Lasting from June 1 to November 30 each year, hurricane season can often bring more than a few common occurrences: power outages, drinking water advisories, and Supermarket Sweep-style grocery shoppers. No one wants to be the last person in the store scrounging for the lone loaf of bread or last bit of plywood, so do yourself a huge favor this year and stock up your pantry for whatever hurricane season brings your way (fingers crossed hopefully it’s just a bit of rain!).
By and large, stocking your own hurricane-proof pantry involves making sure you can meet all your dietary needs whether you have power or not (or a portable gas stove). Think of it this way: Swapping in a few shelf-stable versions of your usual heavy hitters from each portion of the good old MyPlate (aka the glowed-up Food Pyramid that serves as the official symbol of the five food groups), will not only keep you feeling full, but also energized and ready to weather the storm. It also helps minimize the disruption from your normal routine.
Lastly, as a hurricane-weathering Floridian, I highly recommend gradually stocking up on hurricane-friendly items throughout the season (rather than doing one fast mad-dash during its peak) — especially for all these hurricane-friendly groceries.
Credit: All Nea / 500px / Getty Images
2. Instant Coffee (or Tea!)
Aside from water, of course, coffee is definitely next on the list of most important beverages. Especially when it comes to power outages, don’t let your electricity-powered coffee maker leave you coffee-less in the morning. In a pinch, that canister of instant coffee is great to break out during a hurricane (and maybe you haven’t noticed, but instant coffee has gotten scary good these days).
My favorites? Trader Joe’s Instant Cold Brew Coffee, Starbucks VIA, and Verve’s Instant Craft Coffee are my constant go-tos and easy to grab on a grocery run. There are also delicious concentrates that go great when served hot or cold, like Pop & Bottle’s. If you prefer to use your own ground beans, my Aeropress has become my BFF for when I need a barista-level cup on the fly. It not only will brew hot coffee, but can also brew cold brew in a minute (no exaggeration!) with lukewarm water.
More of a tea person? Kola Goodies’ Sri Lankan Milk Tea packets are absolute day-makers whether you brew them hot or cold (and come complete with powdered whole milk and natural sweeteners, like monk fruit and coconut sugar). Plus, they also come in a vegan oat milk version.
Credit: Roman Tiraspolsky
3. Shelf-Stable Milks (or Your Fave Alt-Milk)
It’s easy to forget that cow’s milk also comes in shelf-stable versions (like you might see alt milks such as pistachio, oat, and almond), and you’ll be so glad to see these in your cupboard during a hurricane. A great substitute for the refrigerated stuff, shelf-stable cow’s milk is a solid source of protein and great along with individually portioned boxed cereals (my power outage breakfast of choice over large boxes, so they won’t go stale as quickly). It’ll also help add heft and vitamins to your coffee, oatmeal, or alongside a granola bar, too.
8. Dried Fruits & Fruit Pouches
When there’s a possibility of a power outage on the horizon, your hurricane shop is not the time to stock up on all the fresh produce you can grab. With the exception of long-lasting produce like apples, opt for picking up bags of dried fruits in lieu of your fresh favorites. Another favorite thing to pick up? Applesauce pouches. Really! They’re not just for kids (and often come with snuck-in nutrient-rich vegetables, too).
11. A Few Little Luxuries (for Good Measure)
Hurricane season is not the time to forgo the treats, either. Far from it! While I’m not advocating breaking the bank on fancy tinned fish here, do be sure to buy items that you’ll actually enjoy eating to really ensure you keep both your energy and spirits high. If you, like me, also grew up experiencing a lot of hurricanes, the season likely has a specific flavor for you as well.
For me, it’s a delightfully ’90s combo of Clearly Canadian and frosted animal crackers (never lets me down!). Perhaps make sure you’ve got a decent boxed wine, that new fun popcorn you’ve wanted to try, or an Ina Garten-approved bar of chocolate on hand to really lean in to the power-outage camp-out vibes (grab all three for good measure).
What other essentials are you stocking in your pantry? Tell us in the comments below.