Preppers, are you looking for some new survival items to buy? If so, you should definitely check out Costco!
The warehouse store has a ton of great products that can help you in a crisis.
Here are just a few of the things you can find there.
Why Costco For Survival Items?
Costco is a membership-only big box retail store that is the fifth-largest retailer in the world.
While most of its stores are found in the United States, it also has some international locations.
Prices here are low since you’re buying on the wholesale model – in other words, you’re buying in bulk.
That’s why it’s a great place to shop for all of your necessary survival items.
However, you can’t find Costco in every state.
Don’t have a Costco near you? That’s okay! If you don’t have a Costco, there’s a good chance that you have a Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club operates on a similar business model and also offers affordable prices on the following items – so consider going there instead.
Here are some of the best survival items you can buy at Costco. Most are available at other stores as well – but buying at Costco can save you money since you’ll be buying in bulk. Not only that, but there are certain items that can only be found at Costco or that are better quality here.
Costco also has a membership program that offers additional savings, perks, and cashback on various purchases. Stock up ASAP!
Rice
Rice is a staple in an emergency situation.
Not only can you make a lot of different calorie-dense meals with rice as the staple, but it stores for several years without any need for further processing. Just keep it dry and away from pests and you’re good to go.
Related: Meal In A Bag: Sweet And Spicy Meat And Rice
At Costco, you can buy bags as large as 25 lb., meaning you’ll have enough to last your family for quite some time.
While you can definitely buy rice elsewhere, it’s hard to find low prices and such large package quantities anywhere besides Costco.
Canned Meat
Sure, a can of Spam probably isn’t as tempting to your taste buds as, say, a slab of steak on the grill. However, it lasts a lot longer – and you can buy it in bulk as a cheap protein source at Costco.
Batteries
Whether it’s C, D, AAA, or AA, so much of what we need to use on a daily basis (and especially when the power goes out), relies on batteries.
Costco carries all different types of batteries so you can power your GPS, flashlight, electronic devices, and other gear with ease.
⇒ How To Build An Off-Grid Backyard Power Plant
Not only that, but you can buy batteries in bulk here instead of buying multiple smaller package sizes. It’s not just Costco-brand batteries, either, but also popular brands like Duracell and Energizer.
Flashlights
Flashlights are a must-have item for any prepper. You can buy flashlights in bulk at Costco (to go along with all those batteries!) to help you save a bit of money.
Cooking Oil
Not only do you need cooking oil to keep your pans from getting sticky, but it’s also a core ingredient for baking, frying, and many other types of cooking.
Whether it’s olive oil or canola oil, stock up on cooking oil of any kind (sold by the quart and liter) at Costco.
Canned Fruit
Canned meat isn’t the only food group you should focus on while at Costco – grab some canned fruit while you’re at it, too.
It’s not always as nutrient-dense as the fresh stuff, but it still has plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Canned Soup
Canned soup, from chicken noodle to chili, is a great source of nutrients and water, feeding a lot of people on a cold winter’s day.
It’s also easy to heat up and to store for the long term, so grab several flats of cans while you’re at Costco.
Costco also sells canned prepared meals, like spaghetti and meatballs and ravioli, so you may want to stock up on these as well to add a bit more variety to your diet.
Toiletries
You might not be worried about stocking up on makeup for a survival situation, but there are plenty of other things you should keep on hand.
They include hair care products, soap, shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, razor blades, and feminine hygiene products.
Related: DIY Wilderness Soap And Shampoo From This Plant
Costco is a great place to buy any of them, especially when you consider that the coupons that this store provides can cut costs on these items even more.
Water
Don’t forget to buy some water in bulk while you’re at Costco. Water goes faster than most people realize – you need about a gallon per day in a survival situation.
Canned Vegetables
Round out your canned goods stash with some canned vegetables. Try to get a variety of veggies, from beans to corn, to make sure you’re eating a varied diet.
Toilet Paper
Toilet paper shortages are very real, as we saw in 2020, so it’s a good idea to stock up on at least a one year’s supply of toilet paper.
You aren’t allowed to buy this much at once while you’re at Costco, but try to buy a little extra each time you visit.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is rich in fat, protein, and other vital nutrients. It’s also shelf-stable, lasting for many years when unopened.
Grab a few jars at Costco while you are there – you can buy both Costco-brand peanut butter as well as favorites like Jif, helpful if you want to save money on brand name products.
First Aid Kit & Basic Medical Supplies
You can buy complete first aid kits at Costco along with all the medical supplies you might need.
From Aspirin to gauze pads, Ibuprofen to bandages, make sure you’re stocked up on everything you might need in a crisis, when basic supplies and professional medical help won’t not be available.
Gas
Gas prices are on the rise – but you can buy it cheaper at Costco, especially if you have the Costco Visa credit card. You’ll not only pay lower prices for your gas but you’ll get 4% cash back on your gas purchases.
If you’re worried about the quality of gas here, don’t worry – despite being the cheapest in town, it is high-quality and just as good as the gas you’d buy anywhere else.
Prescription Drugs
You don’t have to be a member to purchase prescriptions at Costco.
You can save money by shopping online or in-store even as a non-member.
Compared to other independent pharmacies and big brand names, Costco prices tend to be much lower.
Prices are even lower if you sign up for the Costco Member Prescription Program, which is free for Costco members to join.
You can even pick up pet mediations at Costco, making it more convenient for you to stock up on all the medications you need at once.
Tips For Shopping For Survival Items At Costco
Costco only takes certain types of credit cards, so you may want to bring lots of cash with you to shop for your survival items instead. You’ll need to have a Costco store card in order to purchase, so make sure you’ve signed up for one ahead of time.
When you get to the store, figure out your top priorities. The list we’ve provided you above is a great place to start, but you’re welcome to add your own items to the list as well.
As you can see, plenty of survival items can be bought at Costco, and with the tips we’ve given you, you can make sure to get the most for your money.
Whether you’re stocking up for a natural disaster or just want to be prepared for the unexpected, these survival items will help keep you safe and comfortable.
Beans. A few varieties, dry
Flour
Sugar
Honey
I rely on
Lentils
Chickpeas
organic Apple juice
Raisins
Hi there. Sadly there is right now a deliberate food shortage being created in 2022. Farmers were paid to destroy crops, food warehouses have been arsoned, etcetera. Please stock up on 2-3 months worth of food for you and your animals. am vegan and believe that quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat, nuts, whole grain pasta, beans, legumes, canned vegetables, dates, organic dark chocolate, peanut or almond butter, powdered electrolytes, magnesium, D3, zinc, B12 are good to have on hand. Also! buy garden seeds and garden
tools, headlamps….cheers
I have been prepping for many years. My dad was a Prepper & he taught me well. If you want to most bang for your buck food wise, buy rice, beans, corn, etc. on sale. But don’t forget wheat & yeast. A hand grinder is cheap, and hard White wheat is still available. I use both Red & White, but only hard, as soft is more for pastries. I’ve got a very good water filtration system, as well as water catchment. To drink, stay clean, and eat takes about 3gal a day per person. Not 1. Buying a hand well, depending on where you live, is also a good thing to have. I’ve got a pressure canner, so I can a lot from the garden as well as meats. I wish I could afford a freeze-dryer, but that’s just out of our league. My folks are over 90, I’m in my mid 60’s. We live on fixed incomes. So we rotate our stuff. I will advise those who don’t know, PLEASE freeze all rice, barely, grains etc to kill weevil eggs. I make sure my stuff is completely waterproof then freeze it for 24hrs before putting it in bags I vacuum seal. I also date everything. Learn to make a rocket stove, and buy cast iron if you don’t have it. Also don’t forget spices & herbs and books on foraging. Mushrooms, and wild edibles add flavor & medicinal herbs can be great. All to say, freedom sticks & freedom seeds will be important, as well as like minded people in your community. Just be careful WHO you talk to about what you own… Don’t forget a Bible. For me, that’s most important thing to have, as I watch our Country deteriorating… God First, then the rest is easy.
How do you deal with condensation after the freeze/ defrost to kill weevils?
Allison: I live in Arizona. What’s condensation? 🙂
I don’t worry about it. The longer moist things are frozen, will lose moisture and accumulate frost. I haven’t had that trouble with dry stuff like flour and so on. Breads, yes. We take the breads out of the package and wrap them in dry plastic. niio
Besides the obvious that was mentioned, you might add Yeast, Salt, Pepper, Seasonings, Coffee, Cocoa, Hot Sauce, Soy Sauce, Wet Wipes, Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap, Zip Lock Bags, Black Storage Totes, Seasonal Sporting & Camping Goods, Use care in selecting your cooking oils. Olive oil does not have a very long shelf life. You will end up throwing it out if not used or quickly rotated from your inventory. The list is endless and is a virtual preppers paradise. It doesn’t take long to get a generous inventory built up just by adding two or three items to your monthly shopping cart, or by making a dedicated prepping excursion to Costco. But be prepared, by doing the later you will easily spend $500 or more. The end result will be a well stocked pantry or shelter. With the way the economy and supply chain is now, it may be a wise investment.
Let’s not forget the coffee. Seasoning and sauces. Costco has variety section. Kids friendly items like bottle juices and and snacks. Storage bags and plastic storage containers,, varying sizes. Office items like, permanent markers, rubber bands, pens,, and note books/journals, and labels. Varying first aid supplies and over the counter meds. There’s always something useful but overlooked such as per food, kitty litter, things in the automotive section. You may ask why do I need pet food when I don’t have pets? For one, you can use it to bait traps when hunting. Secondly, you can you it as a food source, protein is protein,. Why kitty litte? Kitty litter helps contain human waste.
Never throw away oil that is “bad”. Olive oil can be used in oil lamps. It was used thusly for thousands of years in climes as hot or hotter than anywhere in the US. Ask any trooper who has spent time in downtown Baghdad.
Canola oil started out as an industrial lubricant. It can still serve that purpose.
Any vegetable oil can be used as a fire starter. Twist a piece of paper and let soak in any kind of oil including used motor oil and it will ignite your kindling even if wet.
Corn, Beans, Squash.
Built Meso American civilization
Wow. – Am allergic to all that stuff
But amaranth ok!!
rm p: Weird stuff this year. Last year amaranth came up all over, prickly, Red Merlot, and Tarahumara mountain. This year a few plants here and there. But, I bet the quail got fat enough, LOL. But, this year the wild sunflowers are jumping up. I had to thin them a few times. Seeds are small, but picked to eat when still soft. Good garden snack, and frozen will keep well for stews. Chia is up, and so on, all self-sewing. niio
Costco also has very well done long term storage foods that are freeze dried, packed in serving sizes, and in a pest proof bucket. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place for up to 25 years. You’ll need bottled water for them, and some sterno to heat them, as well as some of those spam cans for a small skillet. Don’t forget your pet food. Also, Costco has great vodka, a 1.75 for $13, which is good for barter, drinking, cooling, and disinfecting. Don’t forget things to protect you, your family, and your stuff, which others will want if they an get it in a bad enough situation.
Sorry, Dave. Alcohol isn’t sold in Costco in PA. We’ve missed out on the ol’ 2 buck Chuck at Trader Joes and don’t get the bennies of any potable alcohol sold in Costco. Thank you, Quakers.
It has less to do with Quakers and more to do with the state’s liquor control board.
Christyn: Not Quakers, but the dnc of Penna. There are 3 different unions involved in liquor stores, all of which are great for ‘donations’ to keep the price up and people buying by the case. Studies have shown that any state with a liquor store law have higher problems with alcoholism than states that don’t. People tend to stock up because buying it there is a bother. I’m home in Arizona now, and we don’t have them, and the voters have said no several times to the dems about it. niio
Costco batteries do not store well. Ive had some that corroded in the pkg in very dhort order. Seen others on line complain of same issues.
I have a package of Kirkland AAA batteries that has many batteries that have leaked. Since they’re supposed to be good until 2025, I’m going to try to return them on my next trip to Costco. I’ve had the same issue with Duracell, so I guess I’ll try Energizer.
Costco is *not* a wholesale model. Folks have been duped, it’s retail, just sold in larger quantities. I can personally find almost everything they sell on sale at local grocery stores for less in any give 3 month span. They also mostly sell name brand (fewer and fewer store brand items), so if you’re used to saving money by buying store or generic brands, you’ll pay more at Costco, and pay $55 a year for the privilege.
Some of their products are a great price, as are some of their extra services. (I saved $500 on car rental last year, and their hearing aid prices are great.) I also got a great deal on my last computer. But I rarely buy food there.
Sorry, this wasn’t supposed to be a reply to your post!
Unless you go to a store like Grainger and purchase Industrial GRade Batteries (they come in AAA,AA, C & d sizes and the alkaline Industrial Batteries can be recharged several times) the only batteries Costco sells that are reliable one for long term storage are Energizer Max batteries.
They are not always in stock at the Costco nearest to where I live.
Valerama, Found exactly the same thing in Australia re price. Also many products mentioned are not available
I have had good luck with Amazon brand batteries.
I would not recommend Costco’s batteries. They have ruined several of my devices from leaking.
Rechargable batteries and a solar panel with 300 watt lithium ion rechargeable battery.
Bobr: My ex in Mexico is so far back in the boonies she and my son have to wipe the owl crap out of their eyes to see daylight. My son bought a solar array and taught himself how to set it up. It powers the batteries, which power his computer and his mother’s radio. niio
Costco also sells dual fuel generators, vacuum sealers, water filters, and other items.
My local Costco regularly has a 4-pack of Lifestraw’s. That’s where I got mine and they are cheaper than other retailers. Plus camping supplies and other seasonal stuffs.
Getting a Jackery Solar generator. You can purchase BPA free food storage buckets for long term storage. Read about preparing your product before storing it. I read heat, recently read you can use your microwave (gotta look into that one). Sounds good to me. Oxygen absorbers. Depends how much you are storing. Gamma lids are easy to take on and off with a twist but cost more. Buy a couple for the things you have open and the rest keep the seals that the buckets came with. Get an aluminum bucket opener so it won’t break on you. Homework homework homework. I can’t stop.
Expand on oxygen absorbers please. .Thank you.
Small squares that when placed in container with say rice will absorb the oxygen to reduce spoilage. I got mine on Amazon.
A (very) late contribution, but please be aware that oxygen absorbers can be poisonous to dogs (& are often included in bags of dog treats), so make sure that you keep them secure from pets.
Moisture absorbers (i.e. silicone beads), on the other hand are pretty much harmless to pets (unless they are consumed in vast quantities, of coursee – anything is harmful in those circumstances)
Keep up the good work!! With everything coming from China, buy spare can openers. I had since bought 2 high quality openers, and I have my military opener also.
I have layers of supplies. Haha But I am not as stocked as half the people in here. Keep posting. God Bless
a lot of survival foods are now bagged but yes, keep old trusty on hand!
Please avoid canned food from China
they use water even worse than USA tap water
Many of their pretty cans of peaches may have the little letters
“prc” on back….
Peoples Republic of China
My husband and I decided to check all canned goods we normally buy to see where they came from. Dole fruits – China. Pennsylvania Dutch mushrooms – China. Canned chicken and some tuna – China. China also processes raw chicken; the chicken may be grown in the USA but it is then shipped to China to process. I would not be surprised if 80-90% of canned goods come from China! Oh, and if there is no country of origin, probably China. Now I have just dealt with canned goods for humans. Pet food? God help us.
Sam’s no longer carries the big 20lb or 40lb bags of rice, beans, sugar, flour etc… They ‘may’ in areas that are in the boondocks. As a teenager, I used to work for them (while going to college.) We had those bulk products back then. Now they’ve changed. In the meantime, Costco DOES have miscellaneous bulk bags of rice and beans etc… (20-40 lb. range.)
Sam’s offers “Special Buys” that end in a price coding of .81/.91 towards the end. Example: $ 29.91. That will help you know that item is a seasonal item. If you’re interested in the item, buy it. The next time you come back, it may be completely gone.
Hope that helps.
On the left coasts faux restaurant supply store called Smart & Final carries beans and rice in large sizes. I haven’t looked at those particular item other than as I am passing down the aisle. If you have a S&F nearby, you might check their stock. They also carry some items in #10 cans if you are buying for a group.
For long term storage, I use heavy mil Mylar bags and oxygen sensors. All I need is to remove as much air as possible and my household iron on high heat. Even if the electric is off, I can heat my old flat irons on hot coals and seal. Get sensors in bulk blister sealed packs of ten. After opening I place them in a quality zip lock quart slider bag. Close, the in a gallon size bag folded tight. Since I am usually working alone, I have to try to preserve the sensors best I can.
As for rice, I prefer to store it in the bags with sensors or it can get rice weavels, in it. I had some stored in a bucket once, with what I thought was an airtight lid. Well, I ended up with an infestation of the weavels and thought I’d never get rid of them. Same goes for dry dog, cat food and a host of other dry foods.
Self rising flour will lose it’s ability to rise, along with cake mixes if not stored properly.
I freeze my flour(s) and rice overnight to kill bugs /eggs already in them then immediately use my food saver to seal them.
What what kind of sensors do you store in your flour and rice?
I use Fresh us 500 cc from Amazon.
We use 2 liter and larger empty soda bottles to store beans, rice, grain and …… We lay it out in the Arizona sun in the am and bring it in in the pm, bug free.
Weevils look nasty but are edible and a source of protein. They are disappearing fast, but ask any GI who was a guest of the Imperial Japanese army during WWII and they will tell you they welcomed weevils in their rice.
In an EOTW situation our nutritional levels may reach that of the WWII POWs. OTOH, the little devils do eat YOUR food and poop in YOUR food, so, it is a good up. Protein or more rice.
Last December I was in Costco and asked about medical supplies, tensor bandages and such, I did see they had boxes of band aids available,
I asked two counters when they will have some medical supplies in stock and I was met with quite a shocking response!
“When they are back in season”
I did not know Medical supplies went “out of season” here in Canada, very strange.
Been stocking up on big (11+/- oz) Chunky soup for years, don’t pay strict attention to ex-dates but rotate the stock, open the bottom end, one-a-day meal can keep you functional, have at least a month’s worth.
I wrote a post, and the thing wouldn’t let me post. So short reply, this time- Fresh us. 500cc
As well as canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, I got some ghee and coconut oil from Costco, also dried mangos, peanuts and almonds, large bags of baking soda and Epson salts, and things like leather work gloves and some extra 5-GAL propane tanks.
I’ve looked at Costco’s “survival” foods and did buy a bucket of lentils but passed on the prepackaged “meals” because they are mostly just high carb grain-based fillers (cereals, pastas), but not much for proteins, fats, or vitamins and minerals to keep everything working. Read the labels, make wise choices.
300cc oxygen absorbers and 1-gallon 7mm mylar bags can be purchased from the LDS Home Storage Center online store:
DZ
I just used your supplied link and put in my order. The site was a tad bit glitches but I finally got an account made and my order is in.
Thank you kindly.
Some folks may not know this, but a good way to maximize the longevity of stored rice, grains and beans is to put the bulk bags into a small freezer chest for about a month to kill off the tiny bugs and their eggs that are present in the dried foods. After the freeze, I’ll pour them into a short, long tote and place them in a warm dry area for a day to make sure all the moisture is gone and then pour the dried goods into a heavy duty trash bag lined in 3 gallon buckets and use a shop vac to suck all of the air out of the bag and tie a knot in the plastic bag and put a gamma seal lid on it. Some people pour the food directly into food grade plastic buckets and either put oxygen absorbers on top of the food and put the lid on, or place a small piece of dry ice the size of a quarter onto a little piece of cloth which uses the air in the bucket to dissolve, which in turn creates a vacuum when it dissolves creating an air tight oxygen free environment.
For Mylar bags and O2 absorbers, try Mylarddirect.com. Have gotten mine from there for years and still really happy with the service and the different sizes and shapes they have.
Mylardirect.com see 2 d’s came on there, sorry
I’ve posted this before, but with a similar discussion it seem relevant. “Best By” and “Use Thru” dates are just marketing ploys to get you to buy more product after that date. The product is very often not bad and is still edible for weeks, months and years after that date depending on the product. The product may have lost its rich color or be a bit softer to the pallet, but is still good nutritionally as long as there are no obvious signs of spoilage like smell or taste. Food banks and Food pantries around the country use guidelines that extend cereals to 90 days past “use by” dates to 5 years for canned goods. Of course be aware of dented cans and any bulging cans that should not be used due to most certainly being tainted product. Also, I agree with LCC, a little more protein in the rice is never a bad thing?
This reminds me of one of those “prepper” videos on YouTube. “The Top 15 Items You Must Hoard NOW!” Costco or Sam’s Club are definitely not the places to buy canned goods. You need to go to Aldi for that. Same with a few of the other items on the list. The truth is with these lists that whatever items your family needs or uses is what needs to be on your list of items to stock piled. I go to Sam’s Club for a limited number of items. Usually that includes coffee beans, cases of water and pasta sauce. Sometimes they have a good deal on the toiletries that I use. And by the way, for the same price, Sam’s Club cases of water have 45 bottles whereas Costco brand of water has 40 bottles. however, last week I purchased a 50 pound bag of white rice at sam’s Club and when I repackaged it into mylar, there was only 49 pounds in it. Not a big deal but just something to be aware of. Watch the large bags of Members Mark rice!
Huh.
Missouri: I like Aldi’s but the closest one is Phoenix, 100 miles from here. I like farm markets, but can get the same thing at that price in any store. Donno what it’ll cost, but we usually drive to Hatch, NM, to get 100 lbs of roasted chilis, and fifty of fresh. That’s a necessity in this area, LOL. Coffee, when we could get to Mexico, was a quarter the price as home. All in all, thank God we got most prepping done before the jackasses took over the White House. niio
Too bad that you don’t like Canadians to buy your book . So you lost a sale here.
Vegetable oils are not a good choice because they are created using high heat & becomevrancid causing inflammation. Cold pressed oils are what you should use. Avocado (can take the highest heat), coconut, & olive oil, butter, bacon grease, tallow, pure lard, or ghee. Do not use or store canola, peanut, vegetable, soy, shortening etc.
When vegetable oils are heated, they absorb hydrogen, a toxin. That’s how they make margarine, with hydrogen to make it solid. niio
We had some dry beans get bugs in them. My husband threw them out on a part of our garden that had nothing planted in it and he lightly tilled them in. We had all the green beans that year that we could ever use.
Good, I’ve done the same, but also freeze all dried legumes and grain. A small bag of cowpeas here, Arizona, make a good, summer hardy cover crop. Now, if only the green beans didn’t dry up in our gentle summer heat, LOL. niio