Food Storage Calculator

A food storage calculator is one tool anyone, serious about stockpiling food for the long-term, should have. This is the best way to determine how much foodstuff you need to have in the event of a disaster that makes it difficult to get food.

What to Store

With this tool you can calculate fairly accurately how much of different types of foodstuff you will need to feed a family of two or 10, or any size for that matter. In addition, it makes it easy to calculate how long the different quantities will last. 

Many websites include various versions of a food storage calculator, so finding one that you want to use is easy. It also makes sense to print some so that you have your own printed copies if the Internet is unavailable. The Latter Day Saints have their own version of a food storage calculator to help them store foods for long periods. (Link below).

The foods to include when determining quantities include:

• Grains: Flour, rice, wheat, pasta, oats and cornmeal
  
• Legumes: Peas, beans
  
• Fats and Oils: Vegetable oil, shortening, peanut butter
  
• Sugars: Honey brown sugar, molasses, jams
  
• Dairy & Dairy Substitutes: Evaporated milk, dry milk, soy milk, creamer
  
• General Cooking Items: Salt, baking powder, baking soda, vinegar
  
• Water: Storing this precious commodity is debatable, as some experts recommend changing it out every six months. Some disaster preparedness sites recommend up to five years depending on the conditions under which you are storing it. It is important to have water purification tablets or other purifying agents handy to help to soften and decontaminate your water.
  

Per Person Per Year

The list above is just a guide as you try to make adjustments depending on the types of foods your family prefers. Of course, the quantities will also vary depending on the age and health of the family members. The LDS food storage calculator determines basic quantities for an adult for one year are as follows:

• 50 lbs of rice
  
• 25 lbs of flour
  
• 30 lbs of dried beans
  
• 25 lbs of pasta
  
• 40 lbs of sugar
  
• 60 lbs of dry milk
  

Of course, you can easily develop your own food storage calculator using your experience of the quantities of different foods your household uses in a week or a month. You would simply need to multiply this for roughly 3 months or even a year depending on your plan.

It would be counterproductive to store foodstuff and end up using it too heavily until your supplies run out. You could also use it so sparingly you run the risk of malnutrition. Having a way to measure how much you will need for a specific time will eliminate the guesswork of what to use and the quantity.

How to Get Started

The first step is to ensure that you have proper food storage containers in which to keep your stockpile. You will also need to have somewhere appropriate to use as a storeroom.

This can be a pantry or cellar if you have one, but two requirements are that the area is cool and the foodstuff is not in direct sunlight. The temperature of the storage area should ideally be in the 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit range. Frequent fluctuation in temperature is a prime cause of food spoilage.

Not everyone can easily go out and buy all the food they need to keep for six months to a year, so starting small makes sense. Some experts recommend buying a few additional food items with each shopping trip and putting the excess towards your store. Keep in mind the expiry dates of items so that you can use those closest to that point and replace them with fresher items.
 
Many people stock more supplies than their family will need so that they will be able to help others in need. The task of stockpiling food and calculating quantities can seem daunting, but by taking small steps such as storing up enough for three months, it becomes easier. Once you are comfortable you can easily increase your stock so that you have enough for one year.

Follow this link below, and you can do all your calculations online, it’s free and easy to use: - Long-term food storage calculator.

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