Emergency Food & Water Storage Business

Sell long-term food storage and emergency water solutions

Startup Cost
$50,000-$250,000
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time to Profit
15-24 months
Profit Potential
$33,000-$167,000/month

Overview

Emergency food businesses generate $400,000-$2,000,000 annually with 40-60% margins.

In 2025, emergency food storage essential for preparedness.

Products include freeze-dried meals and entrees ($8-$20 per meal), food storage buckets and kits ($100-$500), MREs and survival food ($5-$15 per meal), water storage containers ($20-$200), water purification systems ($30-$400), and long-term food supplies ($500-$5,000).

Successful businesses stock quality long-shelf-life food, educate on food storage, offer various quantities and durations, provide taste samples, and serve families and preppers.

Can private label or resell brands.

Marketing through preparedness community, online, survival stores, and emergency preparedness events.

Required Skills

  • Food Storage Knowledge
  • Product Sourcing
  • Inventory Management
  • E-commerce
  • Customer Education
  • Shipping Logistics

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Essential preparedness category
  • High-value food storage purchases
  • Growing food security concerns
  • Recurring purchases as families rotate stock
  • Can sell online nationwide

Cons

  • Heavy product shipping costs
  • Large inventory storage needed
  • Competition from major brands
  • Seasonal demand patterns
  • Economic sensitivity of discretionary spending

How to Get Started

  1. Source quality emergency food suppliers
  2. Set up e-commerce and fulfillment
  3. Stock various food storage options
  4. Educate customers on food storage
  5. Offer food storage kits and customization
  6. Market to preparedness community
  7. Provide recipes and meal planning

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