Home » How Much Emergency Food Do I Need?

How Much Emergency Food Do I Need?

How much survival food you need depends on the type of emergency or scenario you are most likely to encounter, the number of people in your survival group, and each individual’s age, sex, and activity level.

You need enough survival food to provide a minimum of 2000 calories per person and one gallon of potable water daily for personal hygiene and drinking water.

FEMA suggests storing a 72-hour emergency food supply, including 6000 calories and 3 gallons of water per person. In my opinion, this isn’t enough. I suggest you stockpile at least a two-week food supply, including 28,000 calories and 14 gallons of water per person. Let’s take a look at food calculators.

Food Calculators

Use the Mayo Clinic calorie calculator and the USDA nutrition calculator to plan food storage.

The Mayo Clinic calorie calculator daily determines the daily requirements for each person in your survival group. MayoClinic.org

USDA Nutrition Calculator determines the daily nutritional requirements for each individual in your survival group. USDA.gov

If you are ready to start hoarding emergency food, let’s get to some real-life examples of how much survival food to store.

Up next, emergency food for one person.

Chart #1 Daily Emergency Food For One Person

Chart #1 below illustrates how much food to store for one person’s one-day emergency food supply.

The foods in the chart are based on FEMA-suggested short-term emergency foods that are ready to eat, nonperishable, and don’t require special preparation, water, or refrigeration. This type of food stockpile is vital for short-term emergencies when there is no access to food, clean water, or electricity.

Food Type# Of ContainersContainer SizeServing SizeCaloriesCalories Per Package
Spam Classic112oz can12oz 10801080
Dinty Moore Beef Stew115oz can15oz200200
Del Monte, Sliced Peaches In Heavy Syrup115.25oz can15.25oz350350
Ritz Crackers111.8oz boxEight crackers801680
Jif Peanut Butter Creamy116oz Jar2 Tbsp1902660
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars Oats ‘N Honey1Pack of 642g (2 bars)1901,140
Sun-Maid Natural California Raisins113oz canister1/4 cup1201080
DelMonte French Style Green Beans114.5oz can14.5oz can7070
1 Gallon of Drinking Water1
Total Calories2,2808,260
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Up next, daily food for two people.

Chart #2 Daily Emergency Food For Two People

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeServing SizeCalories Per ServingGroup CaloriesCalories Per Package
Pop-Tarts Breakfast Toaster Pastries213.5oz box Two pastries ea 370 740 1,480
Hormel Chili With Beans2Two 19oz cans 19oz ea270540540
Hormel Corned Beef Hash2Two 15 oz cans15 oz ea7601520 760
Del Monte Fruit Cocktail2Two 15.25oz cans15 oz ea350700700
Ocean Spray Craisins124oz bag 1/4 cup ea130260 2,210
Jif Peanut Butter Creamy 1 16oz Jar 2 Tbsp ea1903802,660
Nabisco Saltine Crackers1 16oz Box5Fivecrackers ea70140 1,960
DelMonte Sweet Corn215.25oz can15.25oz can210420210
2 Gallons of Drinking Water21-gallon ea
Total Calories2,3504,700 10,310
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #3 Daily Emergency Food For Three People

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeServing SizeCalories Per
Serving
Group
Calories
Calories Per Package
Cliff Builder Protein Bars1 12 bars1 bar ea290 8703,480
Progresso Beef Pot Roast Soup318.5oz can 18.5oz can ea 220660220
DAK Canned Ham316oz can 16oz can ea 800 2400 800
Nabisco Triscuit Crackers1 8.5oz6Sixcrackers ea 120 360 1080
Dole Canned Pineapple Chunks Heavy Syrup320oz can 20oz can ea4951485 495
Jif Peanut Butter Creamy 1 16oz Jar 2 tbsp ea190 570 2,660
DelMonte Canned Peas315oz can15oz280840280
3 Gallons of Drinking Water31-gallon ea
Total Calories2,3957,1859,015
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #4 Daily Emergency Food For Four People

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeServing SizeCalories Per ServingGroup
Calories
Calories Per Package(s)
Power Bar Protein Plus15 bars 15 bars 1 bar2108403,150
Hormel Beef Tamales4 15oz can15oz can 3801520 1520
Keystone All Natural
Ground Beef
4 28oz28oz can980 3920 3920
DelMonte Sliced Pears4 15.25oz15.25oz can 3501400 1400
Jiff Peanut Butter1 16oz Jar 2 tbsp ea 190 760 2,660
Ritz Crackers 1 11.8oz box 8Eightcrackers 80 320 1,680
DelMonte Mixed Veg414.5oz can14.5oz can157628628
4 Gallons of Drinking Water4
Total Calories2,3479,388 14,958
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

As you stock emergency food, take into account your family’s unique needs and tastes. Familiar foods are important. They lift morale and give a feeling of security in times of stress. Focus on foods that are high in calories and nutrition. That require no refrigeration, water, special preparation, or cooking.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Chart #5 One Week Emergency Food Supply

A one-week food supply provides a minimum of 14,000 calories and 7 gallons of water per person.

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeCalories Per PackageTotal Calories
Dak Canned Ham2 16oz can800 1600
Spam Classic2 12oz can1080 2,160
Hormel Chili With Beans2 19oz can270 540
Keystone All Natural Ground Beef2 28oz can980 1960
Cliff Builder Protein Bars 7 Bars 1 Bar290 2030
Dole Canned Pineapple
Chunks In Heavy Syrup
220oz 495 1,180
DelMonte Sliced Pears 2 15.25oz can350 700
DelMonte Fruit Cocktail215.25oz can350700
Ocean Spray Craisins124oz bag22102210
Ritz Crackers111.8oz box16801680
Del Monte Mixed Veg214.5oz can157314
DelMonte Canned Peas214.5oz can280560
DelMonte Sweet Corn214.5oz can210420
Nabisco Saltine Crackers116oz box19601960
Jif Peanut Butter 116oz jar26602660
1 Gallon Potable Water71gl
Total Calories 20,674
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #6 Emergency Food For One Month

For A one-month (30 days) emergency food supply store, a minimum of 60,000 calories and 30 gallons of water per person equals 2000 calories and one gallon of water per day.

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeCalories Per PackageTotal Calories
Hormel Canned Tamales315oz can 380 1,140
Dak Canned Ham 316oz can 800 2.400
Dinty Moore Beef Stew3 15oz can200 600
Hormel Chili With Beans319oz can 270 810
Progresso Beef Pot Roast Soup318.5oz can 220 660
Spam Classic312oz can 1,0803.240
Hormel Chili With Beans319oz can 270 810
Keystone All Natural Beef328oz can 980 2,940
Keystone All Natural Pork328oz can 980 2.940
Keystone All Natural Turkey328oz can 9802.940
Nabisco Saltine Crackers416oz box 1,960 7,840
Ritz Crackers4 11.8oz box 1,6806.720
Jif Peanut Butter416oz 2,66010,640
Cliff Builder Protein Bar101 bar 290 2.900
Pop-Tarts Breakfast Pastries1013.5oz box7407.400
Power Bar Protein Plus101 bar2102.100
DelMonte Canned Sliced Peaches
(heavy syrup)
1015.25oz can3503.500
DelMonte Fruit Cocktail
(heavy syrup)
1015.25oz can3503.500
DelMonte Canned Pears1015.25oz can3503.500
DelMonte Canned Corn1015.25oz can2102.100
DelMonte Green Beans1014.5oz can 70700
DelMonte Mixed Vegetables1014.5oz can157570
Ocean Sprays Craisins324oz bag2,2106.630
Daily Multi-Vitamin
Fresh Potable Water 30 1gl
Total Calories76,580
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #7 Three-Month Emergency Food Supply

Food to survive three months provides 180,000 calories and 90 gallons of water per person, equal to 2000 calories and 1 gallon of water per day for 90 days.

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeCalories Per PackageTotal Calories
Hormel Canned Tamales915oz can 3803,420
Dak Canned Ham 916oz can 8007,200
Dinty Moore Beef Stew9 15oz can200 1,800
Hormel Chili With Beans919oz can 2702,430
Progresso Beef Pot Roast Soup918.5oz can 2201,980
Spam Classic912oz can 1,0809,720
Hormel Chili With Beans919oz can 2702,430
Keystone All Natural Beef928oz can 9808,820
Keystone All Natural Pork928oz can 980 8,820
Keystone All Natural Turkey928oz can 9808,820
Nabisco Saltine Crackers916oz box 1,96017,640
Ritz Crackers9 11.8oz box 1,68015,120
Jif Peanut Butter916oz 2,66023,940
Cliff Builder Protein Bar451 bar 290 13,050
Pop-Tarts Breakfast Pastries4513.5oz box74033,300
Power Bar Protein Plus451 bar2109,450
DelMonte Canned Sliced Peaches
(heavy syrup)
3015.25oz can35010,500
DelMonte Fruit Cocktail
(heavy syrup)
3015.25oz can35010,500
DelMonte Canned Pears3015.25oz can35010,500
DelMonte Canned Corn3015.25oz can2106,300
DelMonte Green Beans3014.5oz can 702,100
DelMonte Mixed Vegetables3014.5oz can1574,710
Ocean Sprays Craisins924oz bag2,21019,890
Daily Multi-Vitamin90 Tabs
Fresh Potable Water 90 1gl
Total Calories254,310
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #8 Six-Month Emergency Food Supply

To survive six months, stockpile 360,000 calories and 90 gallons of water per person, equal to 2000 calories per day and 1 gallon of water for 180 days.

Food Type # Of Containers Container SizeCalories Per PackageCalories
Hormel Canned Tamales1815oz can 3806,840
Dak Canned Ham 1816oz can 80014,400
Dinty Moore Beef Stew18 15oz can200 3,600
Hormel Chili With Beans1819oz can 2704,860
Progresso Beef Pot Roast Soup1818.5oz can 220 3,960
Spam Classic1812oz can 1,080 19,440
Hormel Chili With Beans1819oz can 2704,860
Keystone All Natural Beef1828oz can 98017,640
Keystone All Natural Pork1828oz can 98017,640
Keystone All Natural Turkey1828oz can 98017,640
Nabisco Saltine Crackers1816oz box 1,96035,280
Ritz Crackers18 11.8oz box 1,68030,240
Jif Peanut Butter1816oz 2,660 47,880
Cliff Builder Protein Bar901 bar 290 26,100
Pop-Tarts Breakfast Pastries9013.5oz box74066,600
Power Bar Protein Plus901 bar21018,900
DelMonte Canned Sliced Peaches
(heavy syrup)
6015.25oz can35021,000
DelMonte Fruit Cocktail
(heavy syrup)
6015.25oz can35021,000
DelMonte Canned Pears6015.25oz can35021,000
DelMonte Canned Corn6015.25oz can21012,600
DelMonte Green Beans6014.5oz can 70 4,200
DelMonte Mixed Vegetables6014.5oz can1579,420
Ocean Sprays Craisins1824oz bag2,210 39,780
Daily Multi-Vitamin180 Tabs
Fresh Potable Water 1gl
Total Calories464,880
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging

Chart #9 One-Year Emergency Food Supply

To survive one year, store a minimum of 730,000 calories and 365 gallons of water per person. This amount of food storage is equivalent to 2000 calories and one gallon of water per person for 365 days.

Food Type # Of Containers
Needed
Container SizeCalories Per PackageCalories
Hormel Canned Tamales3615oz can 38013,680
Dak Canned Ham 3616oz can 80028,800
Dinty Moore Beef Stew36 15oz can200 7,200
Hormel Corned Beef Hash3614oz can 76027,360
Progresso Beef Pot Roast Soup3618.5oz can 2207,920
Spam Classic3612oz can 1,08038,880
Hormel Hot Chili With Beans3619oz can 2709,720
Keystone All Natural Beef3628oz can 98035,280
Keystone All Natural Pork3628oz can 980 35,280
Keystone All Natural Turkey3628oz can 98035,280
Nabisco Saltine Crackers3616oz box 1,96070,560
Ritz Crackers36 11.8oz box 1,68060,480
Jif Peanut Butter3616oz 2,66095,760
Cliff Builder Protein Bar1801 bar 290 52,200
Pop-Tarts Breakfast Pastries18013.5oz box740133,200
Power Bar Protein Plus1801 bar21037,800
DelMonte Canned Sliced Peaches
(heavy syrup)
12015.25oz can35042,000
DelMonte Fruit Cocktail
(heavy syrup)
12015.25oz can35042,000
DelMonte Canned Pears12015.25oz can35042,000
DelMonte Canned Corn12015.25oz can21025,200
DelMonte Green Beans12014.5oz can 708,400
DelMonte Mixed Vegetables12014.5oz can15718,840
Ocean Sprays Craisins3624oz bag2,21076,560
Daily Multi-Vitamin365365 Tabs
Fresh Potable Water 365gl 1gl
Total Calories944,400
CaloriesTaken From Manufacturer Packaging, Prices From Amazon.com. Look for local sales to reduce prices.

Chart #10 One-year Dry-staple Emergency Food

For a one-year supply of dry staples, stockpile 400 lbs of wheat, 60 lbs of dry beans, 60 lbs of sugar, 16 lbs of powdered milk, 10 quarts of cooking oil, and 8lbs of salt.

Long-term food items with a 30 Year Shelf Life
(Unless Otherwise Stated)
Approximate
Storage
Weight
(Types of grain are interchangeable depending on preference, i.e., 1 case of rice for 1 point of wheat)
Wheat132 lbs
White Rice65 lbs
Rolled Oats29 lbs
Pasta 21 lbs
Legumes
(Beans, Split peas, Lentils)
62 lbs
Milk
Powdered Nonfat-Dry
62 lbs
White Table Sugar70 lbs
Dried Apple Slices6 lbs
Dried Carrots 8 lbs
Potato Flakes22 lbs
Dried Onions40
Iodized Salt8 lbs
Baking Soda1 lb
Baking Powder4 lb
Vitamin C tablet (90 mg)365 Tablets
Information Compliments of BYU Education

Storing dry staple foods like, wheat, white rice and beans, in oxygen-free containers is the cheapest, most effective method of storing the bulk of my emergency foods for a 30- plus year shelf-life.

Scott, Ready Squirrel

If you are interested in storing the bulk of your emergency food as dry staples like dry beans, polished white rice, and hard and soft grains, read the Ready Squirrel article, “How Much Food To Stockpile Per Person.”

Chart #11 One-year Short shelf-life foods

Stockpile and rotate these foods if the bulk of your long-term food storage is dry staples. Unfortunately, fatty foods have a short shelf-life, but we need them to survive. Let’s look at the list of short-shelf-life foods you need to store.

Short-term food items with a short shelf-life
Amount Per Person Per Year
Fats and Oils2 gallons
Shortening 3 lbs
Butter 6 lbs
Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing3 quarts
Peanut Butter And Nut Butter6 lbs
Dry Drink Mixes (Augason Farms Orange Delight)18 lbs

(Nonfat-Dry, 15 yr shelf life)
62 lbs
Spices
Powdered Eggs for baking 6 lbs
Yeast or Make Levain2 lbs
Sweeteners
Canned fruit40
Canned Fruit Preserves8 lbs
Dried Fruit1 lb
Canned Vegetables4 lb
Canned Meat365 Tablets
Information Compliments of BYU Education

3 Major considerations for emergency food storage

There are many ways to store enough daily calories for daily survival food calories. Here are a few other things to consider as you build your daily survival calorie count.

#1 Water

It is challenging to store enough water for a one-year supply, but you must have access to clean potable water. To ensure you have enough water, reserve at least 14 gallons per person for a two-week supply and look into purifying natural water sources for extended catastrophes.

#2 Shelf-life of food

Dry Staple Foods like beans, rice, wheat, and rolled oats stored in oxygen-free containers will be acceptable to eat for at least 30 years. For maximum shelf life, keep these foods in the dark, cexcellentlocation. Avoid storing food in hot storage areas like outdoor sheds or a garage.

Freezing these foods is as bad as storing them in hot conditions, and heat and freezing temperatures drastically reduce the shelf life of survival food.

#3 Short-term food items

Foods with a shorter shelf-life must be rotated into your regular diet or replaced.

Sources

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit, Federal Emergency Management Agency Ready.gov

Thanks for visiting Ready Squirrel. If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave them in the comments.

Keep on prepping!

Kind Regards, Scott

Leave a Comment