How much food storage does a family of 4 need for a year?
At 2,000 calories per person per day, a family of four needs 2,920,000 calories for a year. The cheapest single product that covers it is Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit: 76 units for $13,907.24.
The math
4 people × 365 days × 2,000 kcal = 2,920,000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augason Farms 30-Day 1-Person Emergency Food Supply Kit | 76 | $13,907.24 | 367.7 | Brand per-day claim |
| ReadyWise 1 Year Emergency Food Supply | 4 | $13,999.96 | 371.6 | Label total |
| Augason Farms 3-Month Emergency Food Supply | 26 | $14,273.22 | 377.3 | Brand per-day claim |
| ReadyWise 6 Month Emergency Food Supply | 8 | $14,399.92 | 375.2 | Label total |
| My Patriot Supply 4-Week Emergency Food Supply | 53 | $14,731.35 | 371.0 | Brand per-day claim |
| ReadyWise 3 Month Emergency Food Supply | 16 | $14,879.84 | 375.2 | Label total |
"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 365 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 year that's 1,460 gallons, plus water to prepare freeze-dried meals. Storing that much is hard for most homes, so longer plans usually include a way to filter or treat water.
- 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.