Food Storage Quick Sheet
Calorie targets, shelf-stable staples, and pantry rotation tips.
3 min read · 4 sections
Calorie Targets
- Adults at rest: 1,800–2,000 calories/day
- Physical labour / stress situations: 2,500–3,000 calories/day
- Children (2–12): 1,200–1,800 calories/day
- Seniors: 1,600–2,000 calories/day
Shelf-Stable Staples
- White rice (25–30 year shelf life if sealed)
- Hard red wheat / flour (5–25 years)
- Canned beans, lentils, chickpeas (3–5 years)
- Rolled oats (up to 30 years sealed)
- Honey (indefinite shelf life)
- Salt and sugar (indefinite when dry)
- Canned vegetables, fruits, fish, meat (2–5 years)
- Freeze-dried meals (15–25 years)
72-Hour Kit (per person)
- Ready-to-eat canned goods (no-cook meals)
- Energy bars or granola — at least 1,800 calories
- Peanut butter (high calorie density)
- Crackers or rice cakes
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Manual can opener (mandatory)
Rotation Strategy
- First In, First Out (FIFO) — use oldest stock first
- Label purchase date on every can
- Check pantry every 6 months
- Donate near-expiry items rather than waste them