Food Storage LDS Calculator
Calculate your family’s long-term food supply based on LDS guidelines.
Enter the number of individuals aged 11 and older.
Enter the number of children between 4 and 10 years old.
Enter the number of children 3 and under. They are calculated at 50% of an adult portion.
Enter the total number of months you want to store food for.
Total Recommended Food Storage
Grains
Legumes
Powdered Milk
Sugars
Fats & Oils
Water (14 days)
Formula: Total food = (Adult Qty × # Adults + Child Qty × # Children) × Duration. Child portions are adjusted by age.
Food Category Breakdown (lbs)
| Food Category | Recommended / Adult / Year | Total Required (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| Grains (Wheat, Rice, Oats) | 400 lbs | 0 |
| Legumes (Beans, Lentils) | 60 lbs | 0 |
| Powdered Milk | 16 lbs | 0 |
| Sugar or Honey | 60 lbs | 0 |
| Fats & Oils | 10 qts | 0 |
| Salt | 8 lbs | 0 |
| Water (14-day supply) | 14 gal | 0 |
This table shows the total required amounts for your family’s specified duration.
This chart visualizes the weight distribution of the different food categories in your storage.
What is a Food Storage LDS Calculator?
A food storage LDS calculator is a specialized tool designed to help individuals and families plan their long-term emergency food supply according to guidelines provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). For decades, the Church has emphasized self-reliance and preparedness, encouraging members to gradually build a supply of food and water. This calculator simplifies the process by translating official recommendations into practical, customized amounts based on family size and desired storage duration.
Unlike a generic calorie counter, a food storage LDS calculator focuses on specific categories of shelf-stable bulk foods like grains, legumes, powdered milk, and sugar. The primary goal is to ensure sustenance and survival during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, job loss, or supply chain disruptions. Anyone seeking to build a robust, long-lasting food reserve, whether a member of the Church or not, can benefit from the proven principles this tool employs. A common misconception is that you must buy everything at once; the recommended approach is to build your supply gradually over time so it does not become a financial burden.
Food Storage LDS Calculator Formula and Explanation
The calculation is based on established yearly recommendations per adult, which are then adjusted for children and the specified time frame. The core principle is multiplicative, ensuring the plan scales accurately with family size.
The generalized formula is:
Total Amount = (AdultPortion × NumAdults + ChildPortion × NumChildren) × (DurationMonths / 12)
Step-by-Step Derivation:
- Establish Base Portions: The calculator uses official yearly guidelines for a single adult as the baseline.
- Adjust for Children: Children’s needs are calculated as a percentage of the adult portion. This calculator uses 90% for children (4-10) and 50% for young children (0-3).
- Calculate Total Equivalent Adults: The system computes a total “adult equivalent” value by summing the adults and the adjusted child portions.
- Scale for Duration: The total yearly amount is then prorated based on the number of months the user wants to store for.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Yearly Adult Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grains | Wheat, rice, oats, pasta, corn | Pounds (lbs) | 400 |
| Legumes | Dry beans, lentils, split peas | Pounds (lbs) | 60 |
| Powdered Milk | Non-fat dry milk | Pounds (lbs) | 16 |
| Sugars | Sugar or honey | Pounds (lbs) | 60 |
| Fats/Oils | Cooking oil, shortening | Quarts (qts) | 10 |
| Water | Stored drinking water | Gallons (gal) | 14 (for a 2-week supply) |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Young Family of Four
- Inputs: 2 Adults, 1 Child (age 5), 1 Toddler (age 2), Duration: 6 Months
- Calculation:
- Adult Equivalents for Grains: (2 * 1.0) + (1 * 0.7) + (1 * 0.5) = 3.2 adult portions
- Grains for 1 Year: 3.2 * 400 lbs = 1280 lbs
- Grains for 6 Months: 1280 lbs / 2 = 640 lbs
- Interpretation: This family would need to store approximately 640 pounds of assorted grains to have a six-month supply. The same logic applies to all other food categories, giving them a clear target for their shopping and storage efforts.
Example 2: Couple Planning for a Full Year
- Inputs: 2 Adults, 0 Children, Duration: 12 Months
- Calculation:
- Legumes for 1 Year: 2 adults * 60 lbs/adult = 120 lbs
- Interpretation: For a full year, the couple would require 120 pounds of legumes. Using a food storage LDS calculator allows them to accurately plan their purchases without over- or under-buying. Check out our guide on long-term bean storage for more info.
How to Use This Food Storage LDS Calculator
- Enter Family Details: Input the number of adults, children (4-10), and young children (0-3) in your household. The calculator automatically considers children age 11+ as adults.
- Set a Duration: Specify the number of months for which you want to calculate your storage needs. A common goal is 12 months, but you can start with a smaller goal like 3 months.
- Review the Results: The calculator will instantly update, showing the total pounds of food required in the primary result box.
- Analyze the Breakdown: Look at the intermediate results and the table to see the specific amounts needed for each food category (Grains, Legumes, etc.). This is your shopping list. The chart also provides a visual reference for the proportion of each category.
- Take Action: Use the “Copy Results” button to save your plan. Gradually purchase these items over time to build your supply without financial strain. You may find our budgeting for food storage article helpful.
Key Factors That Affect Food Storage Results
Several factors can influence the amounts calculated by a food storage LDS calculator. It’s important to consider these for a truly personalized plan.
- Family Size and Age: The most significant factor. Growing children and teenagers often consume as much as or more than adults, which is why this calculator groups ages 11 and up with adults.
- Special Dietary Needs: The basic calculator provides a general foundation. Families with allergies (e.g., gluten intolerance) or specific health conditions must adapt their storage by substituting items like quinoa or rice flour for wheat.
- Storage Duration: A 3-month supply is vastly different from a 12-month supply. Start with a manageable goal and build from there.
- Available Storage Space: 800 lbs of grain takes up significant space. You must assess your available cool, dry, and dark storage areas before purchasing large quantities. See our creative storage solutions guide.
- Water Availability: The calculator provides a baseline 14-day water recommendation, but in arid regions or areas prone to water contamination, a much larger supply may be necessary.
- Personal Cooking Habits: If your family doesn’t know how to cook with or dislikes a certain item (e.g., lentils), storing large amounts will be impractical. Your storage should consist of foods you will actually eat. This is a great opportunity to explore recipes using stored foods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why do I need a food storage LDS calculator?
A specialized calculator removes guesswork. It ensures your food supply is balanced across essential macronutrient groups and is sufficient for your family’s specific size, preventing both shortages and wasteful over-purchasing.
2. Do I have to buy everything at once?
No, and you shouldn’t. The recommended method is to build your supply gradually. For example, add a few extra cans or a bag of rice to your weekly shopping. This makes the process financially manageable.
3. What are the most important items to start with?
Focus on the foundational basics: grains (wheat, white rice, oats) and legumes (pinto beans, black beans). These items have the longest shelf life and provide a core of calories and protein.
4. How should I store the food?
Food must be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Use food-grade containers like PETE plastic bottles, foil pouches with oxygen absorbers, or sealed buckets to protect against pests, moisture, and light. Proper storage is key to reaching the 20-30 year shelf life of many items.
5. What about foods not on this calculator?
This food storage LDS calculator focuses on a long-term, life-sustaining supply. You should supplement this with a rotating three-month supply of foods your family normally eats, including canned goods, pasta sauces, and other comfort items. Read about the three-month supply strategy here.
6. Are the child portion adjustments accurate?
The percentages (50% for 0-3, 70% for 4-6, 90% for 7-10) are established guidelines for estimation. You should always adjust based on your own children’s appetites and growth. It’s often better to slightly overestimate than to run short.
7. How often should I update my food storage plan?
It’s a good practice to review your plan annually or whenever your family size changes (births, children leaving home). An annual review helps you rotate stock and reassess needs.
8. Is this calculator only for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Not at all. The principles of self-reliance and emergency preparedness are universal. This calculator is a valuable tool for anyone, of any background, who wants to create a secure and reliable emergency food plan.