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How much food should I have on hand in my house?

There is no definitive answer to how much food you should store in your home, as it depends on various factors such as your family size, dietary needs, preferences, budget, and storage space. However, some general guidelines and recommendations can help you plan your food storage according to different scenarios and time frames.

The Red Cross and U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggest having a minimum of a 3-day supply of food and water for your whole family in case of emergencies like hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural disasters. FEMA advises having a two-week supply of food and water for each person in your household. However, some experts recommend having at least a month’s worth of food and water on hand, as some emergencies may last longer or disrupt the supply chain. I personally recommend having 6 -months to 1 -year.

The amount of food you need to store also depends on how many calories you and your family members need per day. The average woman needs about 2,000 calories per day and the average man needs 2,500 calories per day, but this may vary depending on your age, weight, height, and activity level. You can use a calorie counting app or a food storage calculator to estimate your daily calorie intake and plan your food storage accordingly.

The types of food you should store are also important to consider. You want to choose foods that are shelf-stable, nutritious, easy to prepare, and familiar to your family. Some examples of food categories to include in your food storage are grains, canned or dried meats, fats and oils, beans, milk and dairy, sugars, fruits, vegetables, water, and other cooking essentials. You can also add some freeze-dried or dehydrated foods, as they have a long shelf life and retain most of their nutritional value.



To help you plan your food storage, you can use the following table as a reference. It shows the approximate amounts of food a single adult will need for 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, or a year.

These are minimum recommendations and may be adjusted to suit your specific needs and preferences.


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