BUILDING A THRIVE LIFE PANTRY: How do you know when you have enough?

Emergencies can happen at any time, and they’re never convenient. From natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires, to man-made situations such as power outages or economic collapse, being prepared is one of the best ways to reduce the stress during these unpredictable times. Having a stockpile of freeze-dried foods is an excellent way to ensure your family’s basic needs are met, even if you can't get to the store.

But how much freeze-dried food do you actually need for an emergency? The answer depends on several factors such as the duration of the emergency, family size, and the types of foods you prefer. Let’s break it all down to help you plan effectively and confidently.

Step 1: Estimate the Duration of Your Emergency

First, consider how long you want to be prepared for. Different types of emergencies require different levels of preparedness. Here are some typical time frames:

Emergency Duration	Type of Emergency	Suggested Stock
1 Week	Power outage, short-term disaster	Basic pantry staples
1 Month	Job loss, extended disaster	A mix of freeze-dried meals & proteins
3-6 Months	Extended economic hardship	Complete emergency pantry
1 Year	Long-term economic collapse, major disaster	Full year’s supply of freeze-dried food

While 1 week may be the most common, having enough for 1 month or even 3-6 months is a good idea for situations where supply chains are disrupted, and stores are not easily accessible.

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Step 2: Determine Your Family's Caloric Needs

Understanding how many calories each person in your household needs per day is the next step in determining how much food you’ll need to store. On average, adults need between 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day, depending on their activity level. Children and seniors typically require fewer calories.

This table offers a general guideline for how much food to store per person, based on a 2,000 calorie/day diet. The quantities are estimates and can be adjusted based on personal preferences, dietary needs, and the foods you plan to store.

Food Item	Amount Needed for 1 Day	Amount Needed for 1 Week	Amount Needed for 1 Month	Amount Needed for 1 Year
Grains (Rice, Pasta, etc.)	1/2 to 1 cup cooked	3.5 to 7 cups cooked	15 to 30 cups cooked	180 to 365 cups cooked
Protein (Meat, Beans, etc.)	4-6 oz (1/2 cup)	28-42 oz (3.5-5.25 cups)	120-180 oz (15-22.5 cups)	1,460 to 2,190 oz (182-273 cups)
Vegetables	1 cup cooked	7 cups cooked	30 cups cooked	365 cups cooked
Fruit	1/2 to 1 cup	3.5 to 7 cups	15 to 30 cups	180 to 365 cups
Dairy (Cheese, Powdered Milk)	1/2 to 1 cup	3.5 to 7 cups	15 to 30 cups	180 to 365 cups
Fats & Oils (Olive Oil, Butter)	1-2 tbsp	7-14 tbsp	30-60 tbsp	365-730 tbsp
Sweeteners (Sugar, Honey)	1-2 tbsp	7-14 tbsp	30-60 tbsp	365-730 tbsp
Beverages (Coffee, Tea, etc.)	1-2 cups	7-14 cups	30-60 cups	365-730 cups

For long-term emergencies, you may want to calculate caloric needs for each member of your family individually, keeping in mind that younger children will eat less, and active adults will eat more.

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Step 3: The Breakdown—How Much Freeze-Dried Food for a Week, Month, or Year?

Now that you’ve calculated the total number of calories your family will need for different durations, you can start to figure out how much food to purchase. Freeze-dried food is a great option because it’s nutrient-dense and lightweight, but it can vary greatly in caloric density depending on the type of food. It also comes ready for a 25-year shelf life! Money in the bank is my motto!

So, what does that look like in the number of #10 FAMILY SIZE cans REQUIRED for one adult?

Plan for 90–120 cans for a full year, depending on variety and caloric intake. Below is a breakdown and general estimate for a one-year supply PER PERSON, based on common Thrive Life items.

(Approximate amounts based on variety and calorie needs)

Staples & Grains (Carbohydrates)	Instant White Rice – 8–10 cans Quick Oats – 6–8 cans Pasta – 6–8 cans Hard White or Red Wheat – 10–12 cans (if grinding into flour) Flour – 8–10 cans (if not grinding wheat) Sugar or Honey Crystals – 6–8 cans
Protein Sources	Grilled Chicken Slices – 8–10 cans Sausage Crumbles – 6–8 cans Scrambled Egg Mix – 8–10 cans Cheese (Mozzarella or Cheddar) – 6–8 cans Beans (Black, Pinto, or Lentils) – 10–12 cans
Vegetables	Green Beans – 6–8 cans Peas – 6–8 cans Mushrooms – 4–6 cans Onion Slices – 3–5 cans Tomato Dices or Tomato Powder – 6–8 cans
Fruits	Strawberries – 6–8 cans Blueberries – 6–8 cans Apples or Bananas – 6–8 cans Raspberries – 4–6 cans
Dairy & Fats	Butter Powder – 4–6 cans Powdered Milk – 10–12 cans Powdered Sour Cream – 3–5 cans
Other Essentials	Classic Tomato Sauce – 4–6 cans Bouillon (Chicken or Beef) – 3–4 cans Salt, Baking Powder, Yeast – 2–3 cans each

Below is a great reference sheet that will give you rehydrated instructions for each freeze-dried ingredient. *NOTE: If you don't have this chart for your kitchen, you can click on it to print.

Step 4: The Importance of Quality and Shelf Life

While freeze-dried food may seem expensive at first glance, it’s a smart investment for the long run. These foods have a shelf life of 25 years or more when stored properly. This means you won’t have to worry about food spoiling and can gradually rotate through your supplies.

Thrive Life freeze-dried foods are also packed with high-quality ingredients—you’ll be getting real meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains without preservatives or harmful chemicals.

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Step 5: Budgeting and Storing

Building your emergency pantry doesn’t need to be done all at once. Start with basic staples and gradually add more variety and protein sources.

Here’s a strategic approach for buying freeze-dried food:

1. Start Small: Begin with a 1-week supply of essential ingredients like rice, meat, vegetables, and fruit.

2. Build Gradually: Over the next few months, increase your stock to cover 1 month, then 3 months, and eventually 6 months or more.

3. Take Advantage of Sales: Thrive Life and other suppliers regularly offer discounts, so keep an eye on bulk purchasing deals to save money.

4. Use Your Stock Regularly: incorporate freeze-dried foods into your daily meals, whether that’s for lunches, dinners, or snacks.

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step 6: We have our food..... now what?

Having a well-stocked pantry is essential, but knowing how to cook with your food storage before an emergency happens is just as important. The last thing you want is to be in a crisis, staring at a can of freeze-dried ingredients with no idea how to turn them into a meal.

That’s why I always encourage practicing with your storage—learning how to rehydrate ingredients, experimenting with recipes, and building the skills to create delicious, nutritious meals using what you have on hand. To make it easier, I’ve put together the Meals in Jars & Master Mix Recipe Collection—a complete guide to making meals with Thrive Life ingredients. And the best part? It’s FREE when you sign up for Thrive Life’s monthly delivery service! There’s absolutely no risk—you can cancel anytime or postpone months as needed, so you're never locked into a commitment.

Ready to start building a pantry that works for you? Sign up today at goshen.thrivelife.com and I will send you your free recipe collection here: Meals in Jars & Master Mix Recipe Collection.

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Peace of Mind in Preparation

Stocking up on freeze-dried food isn’t just about the food itself—it’s about peace of mind. Knowing that you have a reliable food source in times of uncertainty helps reduce anxiety and ensures that your family is taken care of when things go wrong. Whether you’re planning for a short-term power outage or a long-term disaster, having enough nutritious, freeze-dried food means you can be self-sufficient and prepared.

Start small, build gradually, and be confident that you’re investing in the well-being of your family for the future. Your emergency pantry doesn’t just prepare you for the worst, it gives you the peace of mind to enjoy the best life has to offer.

To start shopping now, join me by shopping my Thrive link goshen.thivelife.com, If you sign up for the delivery, I will give you my Meals in jars and Master mix recipe collection for FREE!