Costco’s $80 ‘Apocalypse Bucket’: Should You Buy In?

For only $80 at Costco, you can get your “doomsday bucket” that will last 25 years – ideal for “when the apocalypse hits.”

No Fear About Food 

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Whether you’re stressed about natural disasters, the next world war, or even the possible disclosure that extraterrestrials are real, what to put on the table shouldn’t be an additional worry. 

At least, not to Costco, who has started selling a peculiar product giving off all sorts of end-of-the-world vibes. 

Thanks to This… 

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That product is the new Emergency Preparedness Food Bucket, a new 150-meal “apocalypse bucket” as it’s been dubbed by some, from a brand called ReadyWise. 

A Quarter Century of Meals? 

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Available on the Costco website for $80, the product is being marketed as 25,280 calories of various freeze-dried and dehydrated meals that can sustain you for up to 25 years. 

Couldn’t Be Easier 

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According to ReadWise, all of the bucket’s meals, which include 80 entrees and sides, 30 breakfast options, and 40 drinks in total, can easily be prepared by “simply adding water”. 

What’s in It? 

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Among other options, the Emergency Preparedness Food Bucket includes: 

  • Pasta Alfredo – 12 Servings
  • Teriyaki Rice (Gluten Free) – 6 Servings
  • Tomato Basil Soup with Pasta (Gluten Free) – 6 Servings
  • Brown Sugar & Maple Multi-Grain -12 Servings
  • White Rice – 10 Servings
  • Vanilla Pudding – 16 Servings
  • Orange Drink – 16 Servings  

A Creepy Call to Action? 

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But the product description on Costco’s website is awakening doomsday reactions: “In a world where unpredictability has become a constant, our assortment takes on a vital role in emergency preparedness. Imagine the sudden onset of severe weather, the challenges of unexpected job transitions, or the unsettling thought of food shortages. These are the moments when having a reliable source of sustenance becomes a game-changer.”  

What IS Lying Ahead? 

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Furthermore, the description explains: “This assortment isn’t just a temporary fix—it’s a long-term solution. It’s a tangible expression of your dedication to ensuring you and your loved ones are cared for, no matter what lies ahead.” 

Doesn’t Sound Too Bad

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Thus far, the buckets have a 4.4-star review on Costco’s website. 

While some reviews were glad about the peace of mind provided by this new product and others complained that some of the packets inside their buckets were punctured, there weren’t many comments regarding the food quality. 

Spreading the Word 

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Cookbook author Jeffrey Eisner featured the bucket in a video on his Instagram account on June 30th. 

Since then, the post has garnered nearly 50,000 likes, not to mention spawned a symphony of comments, suggestions, and jokes from viewers. 

Pessimistic or Realistic? 

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In the video, Eisner himself joked by saying: “I guess this is for when the apocalypse hits, which could be any time now, right? Who knows?” 

Food for Thought 

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Eisner added: “So you know when the world collapses and caves in, as long as you have your Readywise Emergency Food Supply, all is right in the world. I really want to sample this.” 

Suspicious Followers 

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The comments section in Eisner’s Instagram video didn’t take long to go to town on this.

“Does Costco know something?” one user commented. 

Another chimed in: “I like that someone thought to consider our desire for variety during the apocalypse.” 

Is Doomsday Approaching? 

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Another viewer stated: “These stores know something, been seeing a lot of emergency items on the shelf lately. You better grab what you can, ijs.” 

One viewer also commented: “Perfect for hurricane season”, undoubtedly referring to the damage recently inflicted by Hurricane Beryl in, among other places, Texas. 

Getting Ready? 

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It would seem that many US residents have increased their disaster preparation efforts over the past year. 

As per a survey from the Federal Emergency Management Agency last year, 51% of Americans say they are prepared in case a disaster strikes.

Stocking Up 

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Moreover, 57% of Americans also claimed that, within the last 12 months, they took three or more actions in preparation for the worst.   

Preparation or Paranoia? 

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Additionally, the survey also compared that while 33% of Americans accumulated or updated supplies in case of a disaster in 2022, that figure increased to 48% last year. 

No Joke 

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While it’s true that many tongue-in-cheek comments have sprung up since the release of the Instagram video, the company behind it, ReadyWise, is 100% serious about their product.

In fact, as per their website, they also sell an entire range of emergency food supplies. 

Pick Your D-Day Dinner 

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The ReadyWise products range from single-serving meals and instant coffee packets that cost a few dollars, to a 4,320 serving, long-term food supply that comes with a cool price tag of $10,000. 

They’re Not Wrong… 

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As stated on ReadyWise’s website: “Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, civil unrest, or unexpected crisis, having reliable access to nutritious and delicious food can make all the difference.”

The Costco Climbing Costs 

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This new “doomsday” bucket revelation follows closely on the heels of Costco’s recent shock last week by announcing its first price hike for members in seven years. 

From September 1st, Costco will be increasing its Gold Star annual membership by $5 (meaning it will cost its members $65 annually) and its Executive membership by $10 (now $130 a year for members).

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For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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