Food Storage Calculator
Calculate how much food to store for your household
Number of adult men in the household
Number of adult women in the household
Children under 10 — calculated at 70% of adult needs
Teenagers 11+ — calculated at full adult needs
How many months of food to store
Results
Daily Calories Needed
4,500kcal/day
Total household caloric need per day
Grains
179lbs
Wheat, rice, oats, pasta, cornmeal
Legumes
26.0lbs
Beans, lentils, peas
Fats & Sugars
33.0lbs
Oil, sugar, honey, shortening
Total 5-Gal Buckets
8.0buckets
Food-grade buckets with mylar + oxygen absorbers
Oxygen Absorbers
8.0pcs (2,000cc)
One 2,000cc absorber per bucket
Estimated Cost
$645
Food + storage supplies at average prices
Food Storage by Family Size
Based on LDS/FEMA recommended daily rations with mixed adult/child households.
| Family | Duration | Daily Cal | Grains (lbs) | Legumes (lbs) | Buckets | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | 3 mo | 2,250 | 90 | 15 | 5 | ~$180 |
| 2 adults | 6 mo | 4,500 | 360 | 60 | 18 | ~$650 |
| 2 adults + 2 kids | 6 mo | 7,650 | 540 | 85 | 27 | ~$1,000 |
| Family of 4 | 12 mo | 8,100 | 1,200 | 200 | 55 | ~$2,100 |
Daily Ration = Person Equivalents × Category lbs/day × Duration (days)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food does one person need for a year?
Approximately 1,500-2,000 lbs total: 400 lbs grains, 60 lbs legumes, 60 lbs sugar/honey, 16 lbs powdered milk, 13 lbs fats/oils, and 8 lbs salt. This provides about 2,000-2,500 calories per day from shelf-stable staples.
How many 5-gallon buckets for a year of food?
One adult needs roughly 15-20 buckets for a year. Each bucket holds about 33 lbs of dry goods. A family of four needs 55-65 buckets. Budget about $26 per bucket system (bucket + gamma lid + mylar bag + oxygen absorber).
What foods last longest in storage?
Wheat berries, white rice, sugar, honey, salt, and dried beans last 30+ years in mylar with oxygen absorbers. Flour lasts about 10 years, powdered milk about 20 years, and oils only 3-5 years. Rotate shorter-shelf-life items.