US Government Emergency Food Supply: FEMA's 3-Day Food and Water Recommendations

In the United States, emergency preparedness advice comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its public campaign, Ready.gov. After hurricanes, wildfires, winter storms or long power outages, help can take time to arrive — so FEMA asks every household to be able to look after itself for at least 72 hours.

This guide breaks down what FEMA actually recommends for food and water, how to calculate amounts for your household, which foods to buy, and how to plan for children and pets.

What FEMA and Ready.gov recommend

FEMA's Build a Kit page explains the goal: "After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days."

The printable Ready.gov Emergency Supply List is more specific. Its recommended basic kit starts with:

• Water — one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food — at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• A flashlight and extra batteries
• A first aid kit
• A whistle to signal for help
• A dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• A manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• A cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

The newer web pages use the phrase "several days," while the checklist and FEMA press materials say "at least three days." Treat three days as the minimum and build beyond it if you can.

The three-day non-perishable food supply

Ready.gov's food guidance asks you to stock "canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation," because power outages after a disaster can last for several days. It gives three rules of thumb:

1. Store at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food.
2. Choose foods your family will eat.
3. Remember any special dietary needs.

FoodSafety.gov adds useful detail. Emergency foods should have a long storage life, need little or no cooking, water or refrigeration, and should not be very salty or spicy, because those foods increase your need for drinking water. It also notes that you don't need to buy dehydrated or specialist "emergency food" — ordinary grocery store items work well.

How much food per person?

FEMA doesn't set a calorie number. A practical approach is three simple meals plus snacks per person per day. For one adult over three days, that might be:

• 3 breakfasts: dry cereal or granola with shelf-stable milk
• 3 lunches: canned soup or chili, crackers
• 3 dinners: canned chicken, tuna or beans with canned vegetables
• Snacks: peanut butter, trail mix, dried fruit and 3–4 protein or fruit bars

One gallon of water per person per day

The headline FEMA number is one gallon (about 3.8 liters) of water per person per day, covering both drinking and basic sanitation. Ready.gov's water page explains that a normally active person needs about three-quarters of a gallon of fluid daily, and the rest covers hygiene and food preparation.

Ready.gov notes that children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water, and that in very hot temperatures water needs can double. Its practical tips:

• Buy commercially bottled water and keep it sealed in its original container in a cool, dark place.
• If you fill your own containers, use food-grade water storage containers, clean and sanitize them first, and replace that water every six months.
• Never ration drinking water unless authorities tell you to. Drink what you need today and look for more tomorrow.
• Don't substitute caffeinated, carbonated or alcoholic drinks for water.

Recommended canned foods, protein bars and dried foods

Ready.gov's suggested emergency food list includes:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables (plus a manual can opener)
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• High-energy foods
• Food for infants
• Comfort or stress foods

Translating that into a shopping list:

• Canned protein: tuna, salmon, chicken, sardines, chili, beef stew
• Canned beans and vegetables: black beans, kidney beans, corn, green beans
• Canned fruit packed in juice
• Bars: protein bars, granola bars, fruit bars
• Dried foods: raisins, dried apricots, mixed nuts, trail mix, beef jerky
• Grains: crackers, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereal
• Drinks: shelf-stable (UHT) milk, canned or boxed juice

Food safety matters too. Ready.gov warns not to eat food from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, and to throw away food that has touched flood water. Without power, its rule is simple: "When in doubt, throw it out."

For a ranked list with typical shelf lives, see our 25 long-lasting foods for your 72-hour kit.

Food requirements for children and pets

Infants and children

• Infant formula and diapers appear on Ready.gov's additional-items list. Ready.gov's food guidance recommends ready-to-feed formula; if you must mix formula, use bottled water, or boiled water as a last resort.
• Pack familiar foods and snacks your children already like. Ready.gov specifically includes comfort foods — a favorite snack can make a stressful situation easier.
• Include books, games or puzzles for children, as the supply list suggests.
• If a child has allergies or a special diet, store safe alternatives and label them clearly.

Pets

Ready.gov's pet preparedness page recommends a pet kit with:

• Several days' supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container
• A water bowl and several days' supply of water. FoodSafety.gov suggests storing at least one gallon per day for each person and each pet; smaller animals need less, but plan generously.
• An extra supply of any regular medicine in a waterproof container
• A collar with ID tag, a leash, a carrier, sanitation supplies and a photo of you with your pet

Beyond food: the rest of your kit

Ready.gov's additional supplies list also suggests prescription medications and glasses, important family documents in a waterproof container, cash, a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, a change of clothing, a fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, and hygiene products. You can read FEMA's full checklist for details.

Keep your supply fresh and organized

FEMA asks you to keep your kit in a cool, dry place and replace expired items as needed. That's where most kits fail: the food is bought once and forgotten. SupplyTrack AI tracks each item and batch, highlights what's expiring soon, and reminds you before it goes out of date, so you can eat it and replace it instead of throwing it away. Learn more in our emergency food storage guide, or start your free inventory.

Frequently asked questions

How much water does FEMA recommend per person?

One gallon per person per day for at least three days — 3 gallons per person — for drinking and sanitation. Children, nursing mothers, sick people and hot climates may require more.

What is a 3-day emergency food supply?

Enough non-perishable food for everyone in the household to eat for three days without refrigeration or cooking — for example canned meats and vegetables, protein bars, cereal, peanut butter and dried fruit.

Do I need to buy special survival food?

No. FoodSafety.gov says it's not necessary to buy dehydrated or other special emergency food. Everyday shelf-stable groceries work.

Does FEMA recommend more than 3 days?

Three days is the minimum in the printable checklist. Ready.gov's pages now say "several days," so building toward a longer supply is sensible if you have space and budget.

How does FEMA's advice compare with the UK's?

The UK also recommends 3 days of supplies but with less water per day. See our UK vs USA comparison.

Sources

• FEMA, Build A Kit, Ready.gov
• FEMA, Emergency Supply List (PDF), Ready.gov
• FEMA, Food and Water, Ready.gov
• FEMA, Prepare Your Pets for Disasters, Ready.gov
• Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency, FoodSafety.gov

This article is general preparedness information. Always follow instructions from emergency services and your local authorities.