Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Products
What exactly is in the emergency food kits?
Every kit contains USDA Organic, Non-GMO freeze-dried meals made in the USA by Heaven's Harvest. The meals include a balanced mix of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners:
- Organic Oatmeal (170 calories per serving)
- Organic Pasta Primavera (340 calories per serving)
- Organic Pineapple Chipotle Chili (210 calories per serving)
- Organic White Cheddar Broccoli Soup (170 calories per serving)
Each meal is individually sealed in UV and radiation-resistant Mylar foil pouches, then packed in stackable, waterproof 4-gallon buckets with handles for easy transport and storage.
What does "USDA Organic" actually mean for this food?
The USDA Organic seal requires a minimum of 95% organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). That means no synthetic pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no artificial preservatives, no MSG, no GMOs, and no artificial colors or flavors. Every ingredient is grown without toxic chemicals and processed without synthetic additives. It's the same standard you trust at your grocery store — now available for your emergency supply.
How does this compare to conventional emergency food?
Most emergency food on the market is loaded with preservatives, MSG, artificial flavors, sodium, and GMO ingredients. Take a look at the ingredient labels of the leading brands — you'll find chemicals you can't pronounce. Our kits contain only clean, organic ingredients. If you wouldn't feed it to your family on a normal day, why would you feed it to them in an emergency?
Do the meals actually taste good?
Yes. Heaven's Harvest meals are consistently rated among the tastiest emergency food available. Independent reviews from Survival Stoic rate the meals highly, with dishes like the Pasta Alfredo and Mac n' Cheese receiving 5 out of 5 scores — even from kids. The food tastes like real home-cooked meals, not like something out of an emergency ration. We recommend adding salt and pepper to taste, as the meals are intentionally lightly seasoned so you can customize.
Shelf Life & Storage
How long does the food really last?
Our kits have a verified shelf life of 25+ years when stored in the original, unopened packaging. The freeze-drying process removes virtually all moisture from the food, and the sealed Mylar pouches with oxygen absorbers prevent degradation. This is the same preservation technology originally developed for NASA space missions.
What are the ideal storage conditions?
Store your kits in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The ideal temperature range is between 55°F and 75°F. Avoid storing in attics, garages, or anywhere with temperature extremes or humidity. A closet, basement, spare room, or pantry works perfectly. The sealed buckets are waterproof and stackable, so they tuck away neatly.
What if I store it somewhere warmer than 75°F?
Higher temperatures will reduce the shelf life, though the food will still last many years. For every 10°F increase above 75°F, expect the shelf life to decrease. Below 75°F is ideal, but the food remains safe and nutritious across a wide range of conditions. Just avoid freezing temperatures and extreme heat.
Can I open a bucket and reseal it?
The individual Mylar pouches inside each bucket are the real preservation barrier — not the bucket itself. You can open a bucket and use one pouch at a time without affecting the other sealed pouches. Once you open an individual Mylar pouch, we recommend consuming it within a few days, similar to any other opened food item.
Preparation
How do I prepare the meals?
Just add hot water. That's it. Each Mylar pouch has specific instructions, but the general process is:
- Boil water
- Pour the recommended amount into the pouch
- Stir well and seal the pouch
- Wait 8–15 minutes (varies by meal)
- Stir again and enjoy
No refrigeration, no special equipment, no cooking skills required. If you have access to boiling water, you can prepare any of these meals.
What if I don't have access to hot water in an emergency?
You can rehydrate the meals with cold water — it just takes longer (approximately 20–30 minutes). The meals are freeze-dried without chemicals, so cold water works, it just requires more patience. We recommend keeping a portable camp stove or a way to boil water as part of your emergency preparedness plan.
How many people can each kit feed?
This depends on the kit size and your family's caloric needs. Not sure which kit is right for you? Use our Emergency Kit Calculator to get a personalized recommendation.
Dietary Information
Are the organic kits vegetarian?
Yes. All four meals in our organic kits — Organic Oatmeal, Pasta Primavera, Pineapple Chipotle Chili, and White Cheddar Broccoli Soup — are vegetarian. Protein comes from organic cheddar cheese, organic whey, organic pinto and black beans, and organic whole wheat pasta. The Pineapple Chipotle Chili has the highest protein content at 11g per serving.
What about protein? Is there enough in the organic kits?
Our organic kits provide 2–11g of protein per serving from plant and dairy sources. For many people, that's a solid baseline — especially combined with any other food you have on hand. But if you want dedicated, high-protein coverage, we built something specifically for that: our 3-Month Protein Pack ($1,598) adds 396 servings of freeze-dried chicken breast, ground beef, and whole powdered eggs to your supply. It's Non-GMO, gluten-free, and made in the USA — designed to pair directly with any of our organic kits. Think of the organic kits as your meals and the Protein Pack as your protein insurance.
Does the food contain common allergens?
Yes — the organic kits contain wheat (in the pasta dishes),dairy (in the cheese and creamer), and soy (soy lecithin in the creamer). They are not gluten-freeandnot vegan. All meals are vegetarian. The Protein Pack is gluten-free and contains eggs. Full allergen and nutrition information is printed on each individual Mylar pouch. If you have specific allergy concerns, please contact us before purchasing.
Is this food suitable for children?
Yes. The meals are made with the same clean, organic ingredients you'd feed your family every day. Independent taste testers report that kids enjoy the meals — the Pasta Primavera and Oatmeal are particular favorites. The food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
What about special diets (keto, paleo, etc.)?
Our organic kits include grains and dairy — they're not designed for keto or paleo diets specifically, but they are free from artificial additives and preservatives. The Protein Pack is gluten-free and high-protein, which may work as a supplement for some specialty diets. All products are designed for balanced nutrition during an emergency.
Ordering & Shipping
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on all orders in the continental United States.
How long does delivery take?
Orders typically ship within 2–3 business days and arrive within 5–10 business days, depending on your location. You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships.
Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally?
Currently, we ship to the continental United States only. Contact us at info@naturally-prepared.com if you need shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or a US territory and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Is my shipment insured?
Yes. All orders are insured during transit. If your order arrives damaged, contact us immediately at info@naturally-prepared.com or call (888) 421-2012 and we will arrange a replacement.
Returns & Guarantee
What is your return policy?
All unopened products are eligible for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase. We stand behind the quality of every kit we sell. If you're not satisfied, contact us at info@naturally-prepared.com or call (888) 421-2012 and we'll make it right.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Contact us immediately with photos of the damage. We will replace any damaged products at no additional cost. Your emergency food supply is too important to leave to chance.
About Naturally Prepared
Why should I buy from Naturally Prepared instead of directly from the manufacturer?
We exist because we saw a gap in the market: finding high-quality, organic emergency food shouldn't require hours of research or navigating overwhelming product catalogs. We've done the research for you. We curate only the best USDA Organic emergency food kits, provide educational resources to help you prepare, and offer a customer experience built around your needs — not a warehouse catalog.
What if I never need to use the food?
Then you've purchased 25 years of peace of mind — and that's the best possible outcome. Think of it like insurance: you hope you never need it, but you sleep better knowing it's there. And unlike insurance, if you don't use it in an emergency, you can still eat it. There's no waste. Many families periodically rotate meals into their regular cooking and replace them.
Is emergency preparedness really necessary?
The average grocery store carries only about 72 hours of food supply during normal operations — and less than 24 hours during panic-buying events. Events like natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, severe weather, and grid failures can make food inaccessible for days or weeks. FEMA recommends every household maintain at least a 3-day emergency food supply. We believe that if you're going to prepare, you should prepare with food you'd actually want to eat.
How do I get started?
Start with our Emergency Kit Calculator to determine the right kit size for your family. If you're unsure, the 1-Month Kit is a great starting point — it gives you a solid foundation of security that you can build on over time. You don't have to prepare for everything at once.