A category-by-category winter storm grocery list: no-cook foods, drinks, baby and pet items, plus a few non-food extras to grab before the roads close.
- Shop from a written list, early, and only for gaps.
- No-cook food and water come first.
- Do not buy fuel for indoor heating or cooking.
When a winter storm warning is issued, shelves empty quickly. A short, organized grocery list keeps you from wandering the aisles and forgetting something important. This list assumes the power may go out for a day or more and that you may not be able to drive for a while.
It supports the bigger winter storm prep checklist. Tick things off and skip what you already have at home.
Before you shop
Check your pantry, count people, and write down what you have. Plan for at least 72 hours (see our 72-hour checklist). Shop early in the day and avoid driving in worsening conditions. If roads are already bad, a pharmacy or corner store on foot may be safer.
No-cook food
- Bread, tortillas, crackers and granola or protein bars
- Peanut or other nut or seed butter
- Canned tuna, chicken, beans and ready-to-eat soup (a manual can opener is a must)
- Fruit cups, applesauce, dried fruit and nuts
- Cheese, hard salami and shelf-stable items that do not need cold storage
- Cereal with shelf-stable milk
More ideas are in no-cook foods for a power outage.
Drinks and hot items
- Bottled water if you do not have a stored supply (about 4 litres or 1 gallon per person per day)
- Tea, instant coffee, hot chocolate and instant soup
- Juice boxes or sports drink powder
Heating water needs a safe method. If you plan to use a camp stove, use it outdoors only (see camp stove safety).
Baby, kids and household extras
- Formula, baby food, diapers, wipes and any needed medication (see babies and toddlers)
- Snacks, small treats and a few cards or books for the kids
- Paper plates, cups, utensils, foil and garbage bags
- Hand sanitizer, soap and toilet paper
Pets
Buy a week of pet food, plus litter and waste bags, and a spare bag of salt-free pet-safe ice melt if you have a dog. See pets in a power outage.
Non-food essentials
- Spare batteries for flashlights and radios (see headlamps and lanterns)
- Prescription refills, pain relievers and basic first aid supplies
- A fully charged power bank and phone cable
- Ice melt or sand and a shovel for steps and walkways
- Matches or a lighter and candles only if you will use them safely, with flashlights as the first choice
What not to overbuy
Skip anything that needs a stove and lots of water, and avoid cramming the fridge with perishables you cannot keep cold. Cold-weather garage or porch space can sometimes act as a cooler, but keep food safe from animals and away from freezing temperatures if it contains liquids that burst containers. For guidance on what to keep or toss after an outage, see fridge and freezer food safety.
Quick checklist
- No-cook food for 3 days
- Water and hot drink supplies
- Baby, pet and medication needs
- Batteries, power bank and light
- Ice melt and a shovel
After the shopping
Once you are home, put the new items together in one box or bin near your emergency light, so nobody has to dig through the pantry in the dark. Eat refrigerated food first, then the freezer, then pantry items, which helps you avoid waste. Fill bathtubs or large containers with water for flushing if your supply could be interrupted and the forecast is severe, and charge phones, power banks and rechargeable lights while the power is still on. Tell a friend or neighbour your plan, and agree on a time to check in with each other. If you have a wood-free, safe way to keep a cooler outdoors in cold weather, use it only for food that is not at risk of freezing solid or being reached by animals, and keep a thermometer handy.
Quick answers
How much food should I buy before a storm?
Plan for at least 72 hours of no-cook food for everyone, including pets, then adjust for the forecast.
Should I stock up on candles?
Flashlights and headlamps are safer. If you use candles, never leave them unattended.