Be Prepared: Food and Water in an Emergency

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UT Extension Publication Gives Guidance for Food and Water Items During Quarantine

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Which fruits and vegetables stay fresh the longest? How much water should you have on hand in case of an emergency? How will you manage if you are quarantined and cannot shop for groceries for an extended period? These questions and others like them have been answered in a new publication from University of Tennessee Extension.

“COVID-19 is obviously everyone’s focus right now, but how many of us are actually prepared to self-quarantine?” asks Janie Burney, UT Extension nutrition specialist with the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Few families have what they need at home to face a crisis situation, but we hope to provide guidance that helps families be more prepared.

In case a family member falls ill and everyone must self-quarantine, Burney suggests families have on hand an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen or pre-prepared items, and ready-to eat items like peanut butter or protein bars. A minimum of one gallon of water per person per day is also suggested.

Be Prepared: Food and Water in an Emergency (Publication D 81) is available to read or download online at the UT Extension website: utextension.tennessee.edu.

For other nutrition resources for families or for other crisis management resources, contact your local county Extension office.

Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu​.

Media Contact

Janie Burney

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

865-974-7402