For many Christian families—especially those who value self-sufficiency and stewardship—the idea of storing a year’s worth of food feels both wise… and overwhelming.

How much is enough?
What if I store the wrong things?
How do I make sure we’re not just surviving—but eating well?

Food storage isn’t about fear. It’s about peace.

It’s about preparing with wisdom so that if a job is lost, prices spike, illness hits, or supply chains fail, your family is steady—not scrambling.

And if you’re part of the LDS faith, preparedness has long been encouraged as a principle of stewardship. But even beyond church guidance, Scripture reminds us that the wise prepare in times of plenty (Proverbs 21:20).

So let’s break this down in a practical, beginner-friendly way.

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Step 1: Start With Calories (Not Pinterest Lists)

The simplest way to calculate food storage is by calories.

Rather than guessing pounds of rice or counting cans randomly, begin with how much energy your family actually needs.

General Daily Calorie Estimates

• Adult (or child 12+): ~2,200 calories/day
• Child (under 12): ~1,600 calories/day

These are averages. We’re keeping this simple and accessible.

Example Family

2 adults + 3 children under 12:

(2 × 2,200) + (3 × 1,600)
= 4,400 + 4,800
= 9,200 calories per day

9,200 × 365 days
= 3,358,000 calories per year

That number may look intimidating—but once you divide it into categories, it becomes manageable.

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Step 2: Build a Balanced Storage Plan

If your family had to live primarily off your pantry, you would not want:

• 3 million calories of white rice
• Or 400 cans of soup and nothing else

You want balance.

We’ll divide your calories into categories:

1. Bulk Staples (Foundation – ~50–60%)

These are affordable, long-term calorie powerhouses.

• Rice
• Wheat or flour
• Oats
• Beans
• Lentils
• Pasta
• Potatoes (dehydrated or stored properly)

These provide steady energy and protein when combined properly.

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2. Ready-to-Eat Pantry Foods (~10–15%)

For illness, exhaustion, or emergency situations.

• Canned soups
• Chili
• Canned meats
• Peanut butter
• Shelf-stable meals

You do not want to be grinding wheat if the power is out and someone is sick.

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3. Canned & Preserved Foods (~10–15%)

Adds nutrition and variety.

• Canned fruits
• Canned vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Broths
• Home-canned meals

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4. Frozen Foods (Optional but Practical)

This is short- to mid-term storage.

• Meats
• Butter
• Frozen vegetables
• Shredded cheese

Freezers are incredibly practical, but they are not long-term without backup power.

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5. Home-Dehydrated & Shelf-Stable Additions

• Dehydrated onions
• Apples
• Herbs
• Powdered milk
• Honey
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cooking oils

These support both nutrition and morale.

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Step 3: Think About Practical Constraints

Before you buy anything, ask:

• Where will this be stored?
• How will I rotate it?
• Do I have containers?
• Can I cook this if utilities are limited?

Long-term storage often requires:

• 5-gallon buckets
• Mylar bags
• Oxygen absorbers
• Mason jars
• Shelving
• Cool, dry storage space

Preparedness without rotation becomes waste.

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Step 4: Gradual Build-Up Plan (Budget-Friendly)

A year supply does not happen in one Costco trip.

Instead:

Month 1–3: Build a 30-day pantry
Month 4–6: Build to 3 months
Month 7–9: Expand to 6 months
Month 10–12: Reach 1 year

This prevents financial strain and allows you to test what your family actually eats.

Stewardship is not panic buying. It is patient building.

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Why This Matters for Christian Families

Preparedness is not about hoarding.

It’s about:

• Providing
• Reducing stress
• Serving others in crisis
• Living with wisdom

When we prepare wisely, we are better able to bless others.

A strong pantry means:

• Fewer emergency grocery trips
• More financial stability
• More confidence
• More peace

And that peace is priceless.