Since no single food contains all the nutrients a person needs, it is wise to store items from each food group. Consider the circumstances of family members when deciding which foods to store. The amount of basic food a family should store depends on the age, gender, and activity of the individuals in the family. For food storage to be successful, dry-pack products need to be low in moisture (10% moisture or less), good quality, and insect free. The following products are excellent to store because of their ability to retain flavor and nutritional value.

Suggested Amounts of Basic Foods for Home Storage*
(Per adult for one year. This list may vary according to location.)

Grains (wheat, rice, corn, rolled oats, spaghetti)	400 pounds (181 kg)	72 #10 cans (wheat)
Legumes (dry beans, peas, lentils)	60 pounds (27 kg)	12 #10 cans (beans)
Powdered Milk	16 pounds (7 kg)	4 #10 cans
Sugar or Honey	60 pounds (27 kg)	10 #10 cans
Cooking Oil	10 quarts (9 liters)
Salt	8 pounds (3.6 kg)
Water** (2 weeks)	14 gallons (53 liters)

*See also Essentials of Home Production and Storage, 1978

**It is impractical for most families to store a year's supply of water. Fourteen gallons per person is a suggested minimum reserve.