Use these checklists to build your emergency food supply step by step
Quick Start: 3-Day Food Supply
Goal: Store enough food for 3 days per person
Per Person for 3 Days:
Breakfast Items
- ☐ Instant oatmeal or cereal (6 servings)
- ☐ Powdered milk or shelf-stable milk (3 cups)
- ☐ Granola bars or breakfast bars (3)
Lunch Items
- ☐ Canned soup or chili (3 cans)
- ☐ Crackers or bread (1 box/loaf)
- ☐ Peanut butter or tuna (2 small cans/jars)
Dinner Items
- ☐ Pasta and sauce (3 servings)
- ☐ Canned vegetables (3 cans)
- ☐ Canned meat or beans (3 cans)
- ☐ Rice or instant potatoes (3 servings)
Snacks and Extras
- ☐ Trail mix or nuts (1 bag)
- ☐ Dried fruit (1 bag)
- ☐ Cookies or candy (comfort food)
- ☐ Instant coffee, tea, or cocoa
Basic Food Storage: 1-Month Supply
Goal: Store a 1-month supply for each person
Grains and Carbohydrates (50 lbs per person per month)
- ☐ White rice (20 lbs)
- ☐ Pasta (10 lbs)
- ☐ Oats (5 lbs)
- ☐ Flour (10 lbs)
- ☐ Crackers (5 lbs)
Proteins (15 lbs per person per month)
- ☐ Dry beans (8 lbs)
- ☐ Canned meats – tuna, chicken, etc. (4 lbs)
- ☐ Peanut butter (2 jars)
- ☐ Nuts (1 lb)
Fruits and Vegetables (30 lbs per person per month)
- ☐ Canned vegetables (15 cans)
- ☐ Canned fruit (10 cans)
- ☐ Dried fruit (2 lbs)
- ☐ Tomato products – sauce, paste, diced (3 cans)
Dairy (5 lbs per person per month)
- ☐ Powdered milk (4 lbs)
- ☐ Shelf-stable milk (6 boxes)
Fats and Oils
- ☐ Cooking oil (1 bottle)
- ☐ Shortening (1 container)
Sweeteners
- ☐ Sugar (5 lbs)
- ☐ Honey (1 container)
Baking Essentials
- ☐ Salt (1 container)
- ☐ Baking powder
- ☐ Baking soda
- ☐ Yeast
Spices and Seasonings
- ☐ Black pepper
- ☐ Garlic powder
- ☐ Cinnamon
- ☐ Vanilla extract
- ☐ Bouillon cubes (chicken and beef)
- ☐ Other favorites your family uses regularly
Convenience Items
- ☐ Instant potatoes
- ☐ Mac and cheese boxes
- ☐ Cake or muffin mixes
- ☐ Instant drink mixes
- ☐ Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo)
Storage Supplies Checklist
Containers
- ☐ Food-grade plastic buckets with lids
- ☐ Air-tight containers for opened packages
- ☐ Glass jars for small amounts
- ☐ Labels and permanent markers
Organization Tools
- ☐ Shelving units
- ☐ Under-bed storage containers
- ☐ Inventory list or spreadsheet
- ☐ Thermometer for storage area
For Long-Term Storage (Optional)
- ☐ Oxygen absorbers
- ☐ Mylar bags
- ☐ Heat sealer
Storage Location Checklist
Evaluate Your Space
- ☐ Temperature stays between 40-70°F
- ☐ Area is dark or can be kept dark
- ☐ Area stays dry (no moisture issues)
- ☐ Away from heating vents
- ☐ Not in direct sunlight
- ☐ Accessible for rotation
- ☐ Protected from pests
Setup Your Storage Area
- ☐ Install or arrange shelving
- ☐ Elevate containers off concrete floors
- ☐ Keep containers away from walls
- ☐ Cover windows to block light
- ☐ Label shelves by category
- ☐ Create inventory system
- ☐ Set up rotation system (first in, first out)
Building Your Supply Timeline
Month 1
- ☐ Complete 3-day supply for all household members
- ☐ Set up basic storage area
- ☐ Start inventory list
Months 2-3
- ☐ Build to 1-week supply
- ☐ Add variety to meals
- ☐ Practice cooking from stored food
- ☐ Add comfort foods and treats
Months 4-6
- ☐ Reach 1-month supply goal
- ☐ Calculate monthly food needs
- ☐ Start buying in bulk when on sale
- ☐ Refine rotation system
Months 7-12
- ☐ Work toward 3-month supply
- ☐ Continue adding gradually
- ☐ Maintain rotation schedule
- ☐ Try new recipes from storage
Long-Term Goals
- ☐ Build to 6-month supply
- ☐ Expand to 1-year supply (if space/budget allow)
- ☐ Learn food preservation skills
- ☐ Start a garden
Maintenance Checklist
Monthly Tasks
- ☐ Use and replace items nearing expiration
- ☐ Update inventory list
- ☐ Add needed items to shopping list
- ☐ Check for pest signs
Quarterly Tasks (Every 3 Months)
- ☐ Deep clean storage area
- ☐ Check all containers for damage
- ☐ Rotate seasonal items
- ☐ Test stored foods in meals
Twice Yearly Tasks
- ☐ Full inventory count
- ☐ Check expiration dates on all items
- ☐ Reorganize as needed
- ☐ Replace expired items
- ☐ Check storage area temperature
- ☐ Inspect for moisture or light issues
Special Dietary Needs Checklist
Allergies and Restrictions
- ☐ Identified all food allergies in household
- ☐ Verified stored foods are safe
- ☐ Found alternatives for restricted items
- ☐ Stored gluten-free options (if needed)
- ☐ Stored dairy-free options (if needed)
- ☐ Stored nut-free options (if needed)
Medical Conditions
- ☐ Low-sodium options (for high blood pressure)
- ☐ Low-sugar options (for diabetes)
- ☐ Easy-to-digest foods (for digestive issues)
- ☐ Consulted with doctor about dietary needs
Age-Specific Needs
- ☐ Baby formula and food (if applicable)
- ☐ Soft foods for infants/seniors
- ☐ Extra nutrition for nursing mothers
- ☐ Kid-friendly foods children will eat
Pets
- ☐ 1-month supply of pet food per animal
- ☐ Pet medications
- ☐ Pet treats
- ☐ Special dietary pet foods (if needed)
Food Safety Checklist
Inspect Before Storing
- ☐ Check expiration dates before buying
- ☐ Inspect cans for dents, rust, or bulging
- ☐ Check boxes for tears or damage
- ☐ Avoid damaged packaging
Signs of Spoilage – Discard If You See:
- ☐ Bulging or leaking cans
- ☐ Rust on cans (especially on seams)
- ☐ Off odors or unusual smells
- ☐ Mold growth
- ☐ Color changes or cloudiness
- ☐ Fluid squirting when opened
- ☐ Foaming or bubbling
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
- ☐ Never taste questionable food
- ☐ Don’t try to “save” spoiled food
- ☐ Dispose of spoiled food immediately
Emergency Preparedness Integration
Beyond Food Storage
- ☐ 14-day water supply (1 gallon per person per day)
- ☐ Water treatment supplies
- ☐ Manual can opener
- ☐ Camp stove and fuel for cooking
- ☐ Matches or fire starter
- ☐ Paper plates and utensils
- ☐ Aluminum foil and plastic bags
- ☐ Dish soap and cleaning supplies
Practice and Skills
- ☐ Cooked meals using only stored food
- ☐ Tested emergency cooking equipment
- ☐ Learned basic food preservation
- ☐ Created a family emergency plan
- ☐ Practiced a “no shopping” week
Remember: Build gradually. Start with 3 days, work to 1 month, then expand to 3 months or more. Don’t go into debt. Store what you eat and eat what you store.
Download this checklist and check off items as you complete them. Update your inventory regularly and rotate your supplies to keep everything fresh.