Lds Provident Living Food Storage Calculator

Introduction

The LDS Provident Living program emphasizes self-sufficiency and preparedness. One key aspect of this is proper food storage. The amount of food you need to store depends on several factors including your family size, daily consumption rates, and how long you need to sustain your family without external supplies.

This calculator provides a simple way to estimate your food storage needs based on these factors. It's important to note that these calculations provide estimates and that actual needs may vary based on individual circumstances and preferences.

How to Use This Calculator

Using this calculator is straightforward. Simply enter the required information in the calculator panel on the right side of the page, then click the "Calculate" button. The calculator will then display your estimated food storage needs.

The calculator requires the following information:

• Number of family members
• Average daily food consumption per person (in pounds)
• Number of months you want to store food for
• Type of food storage (long-term vs. short-term)

After entering this information, the calculator will provide you with an estimate of the total amount of food you need to store.

Formula Explained

The calculation is based on the following formula:

The formula takes into account:

• The number of people in your family
• How much food each person consumes daily
• How long you want to store food for
• The type of storage (which affects the storage factor)

The calculator uses a storage factor of 1.2 for long-term storage and 1.1 for short-term storage to account for waste and spoilage.

Worked Example

Let's look at an example to see how the calculator works. Suppose you have a family of 4 people, each consuming 2 pounds of food per day. You want to store food for 6 months using long-term storage.

Using the formula:

So, you would need to store approximately 57.6 pounds of food to meet your family's needs for 6 months using long-term storage.

Types of Food Storage

There are two main types of food storage to consider: long-term and short-term.

Long-Term Storage

Long-term storage is designed for extended periods, typically 6 months to several years. This type of storage requires more processing and preservation methods to ensure food remains safe and edible over time. Examples include canning, dehydrating, and freezing.

Short-Term Storage

Short-term storage is for periods of a few weeks to a few months. This type of storage is simpler and less resource-intensive. Examples include refrigeration and basic pantry storage.

The calculator accounts for these different storage types by applying different storage factors to the calculation.