Emergency Food Calculator and Planning Guide
Ready.gov recommends keeping at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food and water for everyone in your home. Start with three days, then build toward two weeks.
What to include in an emergency food supply
- Foods that need no refrigeration and little or no cooking or water.
- Canned meats, fish, beans, fruit and vegetables — plus a manual can opener.
- Ready-to-eat items such as peanut butter, crackers, nuts and dried fruit.
- Foods your household already eats, including any special dietary or infant needs.
How much water to keep
Plan for at least one gallon (about 3.8 litres) of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation. Store more for hot climates, nursing mothers, people who are sick, and pets.
Rotate what you store
Check dates regularly, use older items first and replace them. Keep food in a cool, dry place in sealed containers.
Sources: Ready.gov — Food, Ready.gov — Water.