Mountain House vs Augason Farms vs ReadyWise

Three dominant brands in long-term emergency food. Each occupies a different price/quality position, and the right choice depends on your goal — taste, cost, or pure calorie storage.

Mountain House

Pros

  • Best taste in the industry (regularly reviewed top)
  • 30-year shelf life (stated)
  • High calorie density per pouch
  • Established since 1969 (military lineage)

Cons

  • Most expensive per calorie (
    .50-
    .00/serving)
  • Limited variety vs competitors
  • Premium pricing for premium taste

Verdict: Best if you can taste-test storage before you need it and aren't optimizing for pure calorie storage. Premium tier.

Augason Farms

Pros

  • Lowest cost per calorie
  • 25-year shelf life
  • Massive variety (#10 cans, buckets, single ingredients)
  • Bulk grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy substitutes

Cons

  • Taste is decent but not premium
  • Some sodium content high in soups/meals
  • Distribution varies — sometimes out of stock

Verdict: Best price-per-calorie in the industry. Build the bulk of long-term storage with Augason staples and supplement with Mountain House for variety.

ReadyWise (formerly Wise Company)

Pros

  • Convenient bucket packaging (grab-and-go)
  • 25-year shelf life
  • Wide variety of pre-packaged meal kits
  • Includes breakfast, dinner, and dessert options

Cons

  • Higher sodium content in most meals
  • Mid-range taste
  • Cost between Mountain House and Augason

Verdict: Best for short-term emergency kits (3-day to 1-month). Less ideal as the bulk of long-term year-supply storage.

Frequently Asked

Which food storage brand tastes best?
Mountain House consistently wins blind taste tests. Their freeze-drying process and recipe development since 1969 produce noticeably better-tasting meals than competitors.
What's the cheapest long-term food storage?
Augason Farms #10 cans and buckets — lowest cost per calorie in the long-term food storage market. Pair with home-canned/dehydrated foods to further reduce per-calorie cost.
How long does Mountain House actually last?
Mountain House claims 30-year shelf life. Independent testing suggests their pouches do remain palatable and nutritious for 20-30 years when stored cool/dark. Performance varies by storage conditions.
Should I buy single ingredients or pre-packaged meals?
Single ingredients (Augason #10 cans of beans, rice, wheat, vegetables) are far cheaper per calorie. Pre-packaged meals are more convenient for emergency kits. Mix both — staples in single ingredient cans, variety in meal kits.