How much emergency food does a family of 4 need for a month?
At 2,000 calories per person per day, a family of four needs 240,000 calories for a month. The cheapest single product that covers it is ReadyWise 1 Month Emergency Food Supply: 4 units for $1,279.96.
The math
4 people × 30 days × 2,000 kcal = 240,000 kcal
Young children usually need less than 2,000 calories a day, and active adults often need more. The calculator lets you set your own daily figure.
Cheapest single-product options
| Option | Units | Total cost | Days covered | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReadyWise 1 Month Emergency Food Supply | 4 | $1,279.96 | 31.3 | Label total |
| Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit | 7 | $1,280.93 | 33.9 | Brand per-day claim |
| My Patriot Supply 2-Week Emergency Food Supply | 9 | $1,331.55 | 31.5 | Brand per-day claim |
| My Patriot Supply 72-Hour Food Kit Sample Pack | 39 | $1,364.61 | 30.4 | Label total |
| My Patriot Supply 4-Week Emergency Food Supply | 5 | $1,389.75 | 35.0 | Brand per-day claim |
| Augason Farms 3-Month Emergency Food Supply | 3 | $1,646.91 | 43.5 | Brand per-day claim |
"Days covered" is how long the units last for 4 people at 2,000 calories a day. Rounding up to whole units means some options cover more than 30 days.
Things to keep in mind
- Water: plan at least one gallon per person per day for drinking (Ready.gov). For a family of four over a month that's 120 gallons, plus water to prepare freeze-dried meals.
- Variety: the cheapest option per calorie isn't always the one your household will eat. Mixing a low-cost bulk kit with a few favorite meals is common, and the calculator shows single products only.
- Prices were checked on November 8, 2026. Larger kits often go on sale.