Perhaps if we think not in terms of a year’s supply of what we ordinarily would use, and think more in terms of what it would take to keep us alive in case we didn’t have anything else to eat, that last would be very easy to put in storage for a year… just enough to keep us alive if we didn’t have anything else to eat. We wouldn’t get fat on it, but we would live; and if you think in terms of that kind of annual storage rather than a whole year’s supply of everything that you are accustomed to eat which, in most cases, is utterly impossible for the average family, I think we will come nearer to what President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., advised us way back in 1937.” (Harold B. Lee, In Welfare Conference, 1 October 1966.

Building up a year's supply doesn't have to break the bank nor should it.  It just takes a little time and with proper planning and budgeting it is achievable. We have been counseled to store a three-month supply of foods we are accustomed to eating on a daily basis. To begin just start by buying a little extra of these items when you go to the grocery store and before you know it you will be well on your way and ready to start on your longer term food storage.

    So, how much is a year’s supply? There are dozens of food storage calculators out there to help you decide how much and what kinds of foods you should store to create a long-term supply of food. The Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science Department at BYU has created a food storage guide that allows for 2000-2400 calories per person per day. This is a good, basic guide. The items on that list can be stored for long periods of time and can be purchased at almost any grocery store or LDS Home Storage Center. Below are several other sites that can help you on your quest to building up your family's food storage.

ALL IS SAFELY GATHERED IN (churchofjesuschrist.org)

HOW TO BEGIN A 3-12 MONTH FOOD SUPPLY (churchofjesuschrist.org)

FOOD STORAGE (churchofjesuschrist.org)

BYU'S APPROACH TO LONGER TERM FOOD STORAGE

1 YEAR SUPPLY AMOUNTS CHART

1 YEAR SUPPLY DAILY AMOUNTS PER PERSON CHART

1 YEAR SUPPLY FOR ONE PERSON VISUAL

52 WEEKS OF FOOD STORAGE (sixsisistersstuff.com)

MONTHLY SHOPPING LISTS

COLLEGE STUDENT FOOD STORAGE SHOPPING LIST

$5 PER WEEK FOOD STORAGE PLAN (Classy Clutter)

FOOD STORAGE INVENTORY WORKSHEETS (foodstorageorganizer.com)

FOOD STORAGE INVENTORY SPREADSHEET (foodstorageorganizer.com)