How Much Food Should You Really Store Per Person?

[BlueHarborTea]

Every time I read about food storage recommendations, I see numbers all over the place—anywhere between 3 months to a whole year per person. Some say 2,000 calories a day, others talk in pounds or by category (grains, legumes, etc). I’ve got a decent pantry with mostly home-canned veggies and fruit, but I’m unsure exactly how to calculate the right amount for each adult in my household without wasting space or money.

How do you all figure out the right quantities—do you go by calorie count, weight, servings, or just by the “better safe than sorry” method? Also, do you adjust for medical needs or age? I’m especially interested in long-term storage for real scenarios, not just a weekend power outage. If you’ve set up a system to track your supplies or have a spreadsheet template, would you mind sharing? It’s easy to overthink this, but I want to be realistic and practical, not just

 

[CrimsonWren145]

I usually plan by calories—aim for 2,000 per adult per day, but tweak for kids or health issues. Have you found any simple way to track what you use and rotate?

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

I usually plan by calories—aim for 2,000 per adult per day, but tweak for kids or health issues. Have you found any simple way to track what you use and rotate?

Tracking rotation can get overwhelming if you let it, but I’ve found a basic notebook works better for me than any fancy spreadsheet. I jot down what comes in, what we use, and date things as I open them—nothing fancy, just a quick note. Sometimes I’ll spot patterns, like running out of oats faster than I realized, or forgetting about older jars of beans. I stick with calories too, but it’s always a little trial and error since appetites shift with the seasons.