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)
Start with the Big 6: wheat, rice, beans, sugar, salt, and oil. These staples cover most caloric needs and store for decades. You can add variety (oats, pasta, spices) after securing the basics.
Store dry goods in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers inside food-grade 5-gallon buckets. This method removes oxygen (the main cause of spoilage) and protects against moisture, pests, and light. Properly sealed wheat and rice can last 30+ years.
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.