How to Build a One-Year Emergency Food Supply: Simple Formula for Adults and Children
To plan a one-year food supply for an adult and a child, focusing on nutrient-dense, shelf-stable foods is essential for adequate nutrition, variety, and long-term storage. Here's a guideline to simplify this process and a formula for ensuring you meet daily calorie and nutrient needs for both adults and children.
1. Determine Daily Caloric Needs
Adult: 2,000 calories per day (average daily need).
Child: 1,200 calories per day (average daily need for ages 4–8).
Formula: Total daily calories needed × 365 days = Total annual calories.
For example:
Adult: 2,000 × 365 = 730,000 calories per year
Child: 1,200 × 365 = 438,000 calories per year
2. Simplified Formula for Food Storage Quantities
Formula for Total Calories of Each Food Group:
Daily Calories for Group×365=Annual Calories for Group
Here’s a recommended breakdown for an adult’s daily intake, which you can adjust proportionally for a child:
Grains
Daily Amount 8 oz (1.5 cups)
45% of Daily Calories
Annual Calories (Adult) 328,500
Annual Quantity 180 lbs
Proteins
Daily Amount 6 oz (meat, beans)
25% of Daily Calories
Annual Calories (Adult) 182,500
Annual Quantity 180 lbs
Fruits & Veggies
Daily Amount 2 oz (meat, beans)
10% of Daily Calories
Annual Calories (Adult) 73,000
Annual Quantity 100 lbs canned/dehydrated
Dairy/Alternatives
Daily Amount 2 cups
10% of Daily Calories
Annual Calories (Adult) 73,000
Annual Quantity 50 lbs dry milk/cheese powder
Fats & Oils
Daily Amount 2 tbsp (oil, nuts)
10% of Daily Calories
Annual Calories (Adult) 73,000
Annual Quantity 10-15 gal oil
*Example serving: 1 cup of rice = ~200 calories; adjust with a variety of grains for balance.
3. Recommended Foods and Quantities
Grains: Store a mix of rice, wheat, oats, and pasta. They’re calorie-dense and have long shelf lives.
Proteins: Canned meats (chicken, tuna), beans, legumes, and peanut butter provide protein variety and storage stability.
Fruits & Vegetables: Canned, freeze-dried, or dehydrated options help with essential nutrients and fiber.
Dairy/Alternatives: Powdered milk, shelf-stable cheese powder, and protein powders for calcium and additional protein.
Fats & Oils: Vegetable oil, olive oil, and nuts (in vacuum-sealed containers) are key for calories and essential fatty acids.
4. Easy Calculation for a Year’s Supply
Using the adult example, here’s how to set up your storage:
Calories per Day (Adult): 2,000
Daily Total in Pounds (for mix): Roughly 1.5–2 pounds per day of all foods combined.
Annual Total for Adult: ~550–730 lbs (depends on food density and variety).
For a family, adjust the quantities by adding each person’s daily requirements.
Example Calculation for a Family (2 Adults, 1 Child)
Adults: 730,000 calories × 2 = 1,460,000 calories/year
Child: 438,000 calories/year
Total Annual Calories: 1,460,000 + 438,000 = 1,898,000 calories
Using the ratios in the table, you can allocate how much of each food group is needed, converting calories into storage quantities based on typical calorie counts per pound (e.g., rice has ~1,600 calories per pound, canned beans around 400 calories per can).
By following this formula, you’ll have a balanced, one-year food storage plan that meets calorie needs and provides a variety of nutrients for sustainability. Let me know if you want specific portion sizes or examples!
