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How much food do you need?

 

The Canned Food Alliance recommends the

minimum amount of food is

two cans of food per person, per day

and one gallon of water per person, per day

For most disasters, we recommend a minimum of three days preparation. This should include a sufficient food supply and a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day.

A health crisis - like a pandemic flu - requires longer-term planning. There is a real possibility grocery stores will need to close to help prevent the spread of the disease.

The Washington Departments of Health and Emergency Management recommend preparing for these types of disaster for a minimum of one week. When you complete one week's preparation - consider preparing for two weeks.

What should your emergency food supply include? A variety of canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, grains, canned milk products, ready-to-eat canned foods, and soup.

So, the next time you are at the grocery store, pick up two extra cans of food for your Emergency Food Supply. How Much?

 

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Remember - the minimum amount of food is two cans of food per person, per day and one gallon of water per person, per day.

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Some Suggestions

Suggested Items	Options
Water	Minimum of 1 gallon per person, per day In hot weather or when vigorous activity is required, additional fluids may be required

Suggested Items	Options
Canned meat, tuna, chicken, turkey, chili, beef stew, soup, spaghetti and meatballs, nuts, peanut butter	Meat, fish, turkey or chicken, etc.: 1 can Beans: 1 can Peanut butter: 1 Tbsp. Nuts: ½ ounce (approximately 2 handfuls)

Suggested Items	Options
Canned vegetables and vegetable juices	Vegetables: 1 regular-sized can Vegetable Juice: 1 small-sized can

Suggested Items	Options
Canned fruits, fruit juices, and dried fruit	Canned fruit: 1 regular-sized can Juice: 1 small-sized can ¼ cup dried fruit

Suggested Items	Options
Canned, boxed or dried milk and shelf-stable, processed cheese	Evaporated milk: 1 regular-sized can Shelf-stable milk: 1 box Dried milk: 1/3 cup Shelf-stable cheese: 2 ounces

Suggested Items	Options
Ready-to-eat cereal, crackers, pretzels, instant oatmeal, other non-perishable grain products	Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal: 1 cup Whole-wheat crackers: 5 Saltines: 7

What size?

Regular-sized can = approximately 15 ounce can
Small-sized can = approximately 8 ounce can
1 gallon = four - 1 liter bottles
1 gallon = two - 2 liter bottles   

~ Plan for food and water for infants, those with special needs, and your pets. ~

Don't forget - have a manual can opener available!

More Preparedness Information:

• How to Safely Store Water (PDF)
• Prepare in a Year - Personal and Family Preparedness
• Prepare Your Home - Getting Ready
• Emergency Food Supply List (Word)
• How Much? - Bookmark
  
  

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