How to know how much food to pack in your emergency kit

You probably already know it's essential to have at least a 3-day supply of food and water for emergencies (and a 7-day supply if you want to be extra prepared!). But figuring out exactly how much food and water your family needs can feel tricky.

Don’t worry—we’ve got a simple method to help you quickly figure out the right amounts for your family (and pets, too!).

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Your Emergency Food and Water Supply:

Step 1: Start with One Household Member

• Write down the name of one family member.

• List all the food and drinks they typically consume in a single day.

• Next to each item, jot down how many servings they usually have per day.

Step 2: Multiply by the Number of Days

• Take that daily serving amount and multiply by the number of emergency supply days you’re preparing for (3, 7, or even 14 days).

• Example: If someone eats two servings of oatmeal per day and you’re prepping for 7 days, you’ll need 14 servings of oatmeal for that person.

Step 3: Repeat for Every Household Member

• Do the same exercise for every family member in your home.

• Don’t forget your pets—write down their usual daily food and water amounts, too!

Step 4: Create a Master Shopping List

• Combine all your notes into one master list.

• Total up the number of servings needed for each item across all household members and pets.

Tips to Simplify Your Emergency Shopping List

To keep things flexible and simple, use general categories instead of specific items. For example, your list could say:

• "Salty snacks" or "sweet snacks" rather than specific brands or products.

• "Dinner protein," "dinner vegetable," or "dinner grain," allowing flexibility at the grocery store.

This approach helps you quickly adapt while shopping, making the process easier while ensuring you cover the essential nutritional categories your family needs.

Still Unsure?

Calculating the right amounts for an emergency can feel overwhelming—but don’t stress. If you have questions or need more guidance, reach out directly. We're here to help you feel confident and prepared!

ReadyPack is always here to support your family's preparedness journey.