Emergency Food Storage Calculator
Calculate how much emergency food to store for your household.
Covers calories, water, and key staples for 72-hour to 1-year preparedness planning.
Food Storage Summary
Emergency Food Storage Planning
FEMA recommends storing a minimum of 3 days of food and water, but most preparedness experts recommend 2 weeks to 3 months.
Calorie targets per person per day:
- Sedentary adult: 2,000 calories
- Active adult or teen: 2,500 calories
- Child (6-12): 1,600 calories
- Hard physical labor / extreme cold: 3,000+ calories
Water: 1 gallon per person per day (drinking + basic sanitation). Double in hot climates or for nursing mothers.
Key staples by calorie density:
- White rice: ~1,600 cal/lb (stores 25-30 years sealed)
- Dried beans/lentils: ~650 cal/lb (stores 25-30 years)
- Rolled oats: ~1,700 cal/lb (stores 30 years)
- Pasta: ~1,700 cal/lb (stores 8-10 years)
- Canned goods: varies (2-5 year shelf life)
Rotate stock using FIFO (First In, First Out). Store in a cool, dark, dry location.