In this Augason Farms review, we’ll compare this emergency food brand to its competitors and help you decide if it’s the right one for you.
Our Testing Team reviewed Augason Farms popular emergency food kits and stand-alone items to determine how they stack up to other emergency food options. We were quite impressed by its value and variety.
This company has a wide range of whole meals designed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, as well as larger cans of single meals and ingredients. For example, they offer large containers of dried whole egg powder, freeze-dried strawberries, and butter powder. If you’re looking to stock up on emergency food, Augason Farms fits the bill.
We were particularly impressed with the sheer variety of options available. According to one of our testers:
“Augason Farms provides some of the most useful single-ingredient #10 cans I’ve ever seen. I thought purchasing powdered milk and eggs at the grocery store was a good bargain, but Augason Farms is cheaper and better tasting.”
In fact, we liked Augason Farms so much that we rated them as the best emergency food in our best emergency food company review.
Let’s take a look at why we rated them so well. (Also, our exclusive discount code is below so you can save even more money on emergency food.)
Our Augason Farms Testing Experience
Augason Farms Emergency Kits
Augason Farms offers many kits containing different meals. These kits are tailored to different preparedness needs. Each kit is designed to support nutritional needs during emergencies, providing a mix of breakfasts, main meals, and snacks that are calorie-dense and easy to prepare.
The kits are packaged for a long shelf life, allowing for up to 25 years of storage under ideal conditions, making them a convenient choice for both personal and family preparedness.
Our taste-testers found Augason Farms’ meals to be mediocre regarding taste, though. According to one of our testers:
“The oatmeal was oatmeal. The Italiano Marinara tasted like tomatoes, just as you’d expect. The food wasn’t the most amazing thing ever, but it wasn’t bad either.”
Features
- Price: Varies by kit size and duration (e.g., $79 for 72-Hour Kit, up to $1,000+ for three-month supplies)
- Shelf Life: Up to 25 years
- Calorie Count: Averages 1,800-2,000 calories per day in long-term kits
- Preparation: Just add water; can be prepared with cold water if needed
- Packaging: Sealed Mylar pouches in stackable, resealable buckets
- Variety: Includes breakfasts, entrées, soups, and some snacks
What We Liked and Disliked About Augason Farms Emergency Kits
Like
- Calorie-Dense Options: Most kits are designed to meet or exceed the daily recommended caloric intake for adults.
- Easy Preparation: Meals require minimal water and are ready within minutes, making them ideal for emergency situations.
- Shelf Life: Kits are packed to last up to 25 years, giving users long-term storage peace of mind.
- Convenient Packaging: Sturdy, resealable buckets make it easy to store and access food when needed.
Dislike
- Flavor Variety: Our testers reported that the taste was a bit bland. Most gave Augason Farms a mediocre score in food overall.
- Texture Issues: There were some reports of a less consistent texture, especially when our testers attempted to use cold water in preparation.
Our Expert Take
Our team found Augason Farms’ emergency kits to be well-suited for long-term preparedness with thoughtful packaging and substantial calorie counts. The buckets are stackable, making them easy to store even with limited space. Meals are generally easy to prepare, and the balanced calorie levels support energy needs during emergencies.
Although the flavor can be basic, the wide meal variety helps keep things interesting over extended periods.
One of our experts explained how to get around the bland flavor, though:
“I figured out that these meals work best as a base. They can easily be spruced up with the single-ingredient cans Augason Farms sells, and the meals are priced low enough to make this doable. The meals are a bit bland on purpose. You’re supposed to customize them.“
Our Recommendation
Who will love it:
- Long-term preppers
- Families on a budget
- Picky eaters
Who should avoid it:
- Those sensitive to taste
- DIY preppers
“The emergency kits are practical and provide peace of mind, but don’t expect gourmet. These are made to sustain, not spoil you,” says one of our emergency preparedness experts.
Augason Farms Entrees
Augason Farms also offers many different entree options for emergency meal planning, from hearty pasta dishes to breakfast staples. Their pouches and cans allow you to purchase specific meals you’re interested in instead of purchasing a whole pail.
All their meals are easy to prepare and have a long shelf life. While the flavors are designed to be broadly appealing, some dishes can benefit from added seasoning or toppings. The packaging also allows for adjustable portion sizes, making it easy to prepare the right amount for individual needs.
Features
- Price: Varies by entrée, with most items between $30 – $50 for 30+ servings
- Shelf Life: Up to 25 years (unopened)
- Calorie Count: Varies per container, typically over 5,000 calories
- Preparation: Just add hot water (cold water works if needed); some options are resealable
- Portion Sizes: Multi-serving pouches and cans suitable for family-style meals or portioned use
What We Liked and Disliked about Augason Farms Entrees
Like
- Kid-Friendly Options: Many meals were a hit with kids, making them suitable for family preparedness.
- Filling Portions: Meals provide substantial calories per serving, ideal for sustaining energy in emergencies.
- Long Shelf Life: Entrées stay fresh for up to 25 years, providing long-term peace of mind.
- Adjustable Portioning: Resealable packaging for select items makes saving leftovers or adjusting servings easy.
Dislike
- Inconsistent Flavor: Some meals lack strong seasoning and may taste bland without additional toppings.
- Texture Variability: Certain meals, like oatmeal, can have a plain or mushy texture that may not appeal to everyone.
- Not Always True-to-Label Flavor: Flavors like strawberry in the Creamy Wheat option are subtle, almost unnoticeable.
Entrees We Tested
Italiano Marinara
- Calories: 960
- Taste: 4/5
- Kids’ Score: 4/5
This hearty tomato-based pasta dish was a crowd-pleaser with kids and most adults, though it may not appeal to those who aren’t fans of tomato-heavy flavors. The dish was quite filling, with four servings per pouch, and most testers couldn’t finish a full serving. It’s a great, calorie-dense option that’s ideal for sharing.
According to one of our testers:
This was one of the few emergency meals I wasn’t able to finish. It is very filling.
Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Calories: 1200
- Taste: 3/5
- Kids’ Score: 2/5
This oatmeal was straightforward but lacked the sweetness one might expect from the label. Adding freeze-dried fruit or a little sugar could enhance its appeal. The resealable package allows users to prepare smaller portions, which is ideal if you don’t need the entire pouch at once.
Strawberry Flavored Creamy Wheat
- Calories: 1440
- Taste: 3/5
- Kids’ Score: 2/5
Despite the name, the strawberry flavor here was subtle. The creamy texture reminded us of a classic Cream of Wheat, though it could use a bit of sugar or fruit for added flavor. It’s a filling breakfast option but may not be a favorite for younger or pickier eaters.
One of our testers recommended:
I recommend adding freeze-dried strawberries or cinnamon to amp up the flavor a bit.
Morning Moo’s Milk Alternative
- Calories: 70 calories per serving (20 servings in kit)
- Taste: 3/5
- Kids’ Score: 1/5
First, this milk alternative does not taste like milk. It’s much more akin to a vanilla milkshake. It doesn’t taste bad by any means, but it isn’t going to taste like whole milk.
You’d imagine the kid taste testers would have loved it. However, they weren’t too happy when they were expecting whole milk and didn’t get it.
This milk alternative isn’t specific to Augason Farms. It’s a third-party alternative that is common across several emergency food kits we tested. Augason Farms sells this milk in all different sizes, from huge tubs to small pantry pouches.
It is also our favorite in our Best Powdered Milk Review.
Elbow Macaroni
- Calories: 1,200
- Taste: 4/5
- Kids’ Score: 5/5
This classic macaroni dish was one of the most popular with our kid testers. It offers a decent, familiar taste without needing additional seasoning. The cheese and pasta are packaged separately, which helps keep the texture intact and makes it easy to prepare only what’s needed. This meal is a great, family-friendly option for any emergency food kit.
One of our testers loved the zippered pouches, too:
I love that the cheese mixture and macaroni are kept separately in zippered packages. It makes it much easier to make exactly the amount I want. When the powder and macaroni are packaged together, all the powder goes to the bottom, and you must make everything at once.
Our Expert Take
Augason Farms’ entrée options provide a mix of classic comfort foods that appeal to a variety of tastes and age groups. While some entrées could use a bit of added seasoning, they generally offer solid, reliable flavors. The separate packaging for some ingredients, like the macaroni and cheese, helps with portion control and ensures freshness over time.
How We Test Emergency Food
See Our Emergency Food Review Methodology for how we test emergency food.
Augason Farms #10 Cans
Augason Farms’ #10 cans are a great way to emergency-proof your pantry. These cans allow you to stock up on pantry essentials with a long shelf life, like proteins, grains, and powdered ingredients. They’re specifically designed to be easy to store and provide ingredients for you to make your own meals (or add to pre-made meals).
These #10 cans cater to diverse dietary needs with breakfast options, entrees, fruits, vegetables, and baking supplies, making them an ideal addition to any emergency pantry.
Key Features
- Price: Varies by product, typically ranging from $20 – $50 per can
- Shelf Life: Up to 25 years (unopened)
- Calorie Count: High-calorie servings suitable for emergencies, varies by product
- Preparation: Add water (hot or cold) for easy meal prep; minimal additional ingredients required
- Portion Sizes: Large servings, making it easy to prepare meals for multiple people or store leftovers
What We Liked and Disliked About Augason Farms #10 Cans
Like
- Bulk Quantities for Extended Use: Each can contains enough servings for multiple meals, ideal for family or group needs.
- Long Shelf Life: With proper storage, these cans maintain freshness for up to 25 years, ensuring long-term peace of mind.
- Variety of Essentials: From powdered eggs (see our best powdered eggs review)and cheese to whole grains and veggies, these cans cover a wide range of meal needs.
- Easy to Prepare: Just add water, making these options low-maintenance and quick in emergency situations.
Dislike
- Limited Seasoning: Some items, especially meals, may need additional spices or toppings for enhanced flavor.
- Storage Space: The #10 cans require more space, which may be a drawback for those with limited storage.
- Single-Item Focus: Unlike mixed entrees, many cans focus on a single ingredient, requiring additional items to create a full meal.
Our Expert Take
Augason Farms #10 cans are reliable, shelf-stable solutions for those looking to stock up on basic ingredients and essential foods for emergencies. Most items will function as ingredients for recipes, not whole recipes themselves.
The bulk portions make them a great option for families and long-term prepping. One of our testers said:
“The #10 cans are ideal for building a flexible emergency pantry. I loved that I could use exactly what I needed without worrying about waste. The freeze-dried vegetables, in particular, added a fresh boost to the meals, making everything feel less like ’emergency food’ and more like a home-cooked meal.”
Augason Farms Compared to Other Emergency Food Companies
We’ve reviewed several emergency food companies over the years. One of the first things that stands out with Augason Farms is affordability. The price is much lower than most companies out there. While it might not taste as great as Mountain House or Heaven’s Harvest, it’s more than edible.
You can see our complete comparison in our Best Emergency Food Company Review. Alternatively, you can compare a few of our favorites in the table below:
| Company | Variety | Cost per Calorie | Taste | Nutritionally Complete? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augason Farms | Great | 0.005 | Great | No |
| Nutrient Survival | So-So | 0.015 | So-So | Yes |
| Mountain House | Great | 0.015 | Great | No |
| Valley Food Storage | Great | 0.011 | Good | No |
| ReadyWise | Great | 0.007 | Good | No |
| Heaven’s Harvest | Great | 0.013 | Great | No |
Check out our full review of Heaven’s Harvest and Nutrient Survival for more on these two options. If you’re looking for kits, specifically, our best emergency food kit guide has our favorite kits to stock in your pantry.
Augason Farms Discount Code
Augason Farms is offering our readers a 10% discount code, making their inexpensive food even cheaper. Simply use the code “survivalstoic” at checkout! (only valid on Augason Farms website)
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Bottom Line
Augason Farms offers a solid range of emergency food options, from versatile #10 cans to hearty entrees and complete meal kits. Their meals might not be five-star dining, but they’re easy to prepare, filling, and provide reliable nutrition in a pinch.
Our testers were impressed by the resealable packaging and extensive shelf life, which makes them practical for long-term storage.
Whether you’re just getting started with emergency food storage or looking to add some variety to your stockpile, Augason Farms makes it simple to prepare without sacrificing quality or taste.
For more tips on how to prep on a budget, check out our 9-step prepping on a budget guide.
FAQ
Where is Augason Farms made?
Augason Farms products are made in the United States, with their headquarters located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They focus on producing high-quality, long-lasting emergency food and pantry items designed to be stored for years. Their facilities are equipped to maintain rigorous quality control, ensuring each product meets safety and shelf-life standards.
Who makes the best emergency food?
Augason Farms makes the best emergency food, according to our rigorous testing. It makes a wide range of pre-made meals and #10 cans to keep your pantry stocked during an emergency, all for an affordable price.
Who is the owner of Augason Farms?
Augason Farms is a family-owned company founded by Phil Augason in 1972. The company has since grown to become a recognized name in the emergency food industry, maintaining its family-run operations with a focus on high-quality and affordable long-term food solutions.
What is the shelf life of Augason Farms food?
Most Augason Farms products have a shelf life of 10 to 25 years when stored properly, depending on the type of food and packaging. Their freeze-dried and dehydrated items, stored in sealed #10 cans, tend to last the longest, often reaching the full 25-year mark. his long shelf life makes Augason Farms a reliable choice for emergency preparedness.
