What does a 1-year emergency food supply really cost?
We track 3 kits sold as 1-year supplies. Here's how much food each really contains, and what it costs per 2,000 calories.
| Kit | $ per 2,000 kcal | Real days at 2,000 kcal | Sold as | kcal per advertised day | Price | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply | $9.42 | 371.6 | 360 days | 2,065 | $3,499.99 | Label total |
| Augason Farms 1 Year 1-Person Emergency Food Supply | $9.46 | 232.2 | 360 days | 1,290 | $2,195.88 | Brand per-day claim |
| Mountain House 1-Year Emergency Food Supply | $32.80 | 316.1 | 365 days | 1,732 | $10,366.99 | Brand per-day claim |
What stands out
- Cost per calorie varies 3.5×: $9.42 for ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply up to $32.80 for Mountain House 1-Year Emergency Food Supply.
- The lowest price isn't the best value. Augason Farms 1 Year 1-Person Emergency Food Supply has the lowest sticker price ($2,195.88, 232.2 days of food at 2,000 calories a day), but per calorie ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply is cheaper.
- 2 kits supply less than 1,800 calories per advertised day: Augason Farms 1 Year 1-Person Emergency Food Supply, Mountain House 1-Year Emergency Food Supply. At 2,000 calories a day, they run out sooner than the label suggests.
Cheapest ways to cover 365 days for one person
You don't have to buy a kit labeled "1-year". These are the cheapest single products (bought in whole units) that add up to 730,000 calories, 365 days at 2,000 a day:
| Option | Units | Total cost | Days covered | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit | 19 | $3,476.81 | 367.7 | Brand per-day claim |
| ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply | 1 | $3,499.99 | 371.6 | Label total |
| ReadyWise 6 Month Emergency Food Supply | 2 | $3,599.98 | 375.2 | Label total |
| ReadyWise 3 Month Emergency Food Supply | 4 | $3,719.96 | 375.2 | Label total |
| ReadyWise 1 Month Emergency Food Supply | 12 | $3,839.88 | 375.2 | Label total |
One option above costs less than the cheapest way to cover 365 days with 1-year kits (1 × ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply, $3,499.99).
Rounding up to whole units means some options cover more than 365 days. For other household sizes, use the calculator.
Prices are list prices on each brand's store, checked November 8, 2026. They change often, and sales are common.