Inside a 5-Year Survival Food Supply: $7,000 and 2.5 Million Calories Breakdown

Canadian Prepper opens the video by presenting his five-year apocalypse food supply designed for one person. He immediately sets realistic expectations about the quantity and caloric content of the stored food.

"This is only five years worth of food for one person on what I would consider half rations... about 2.5 million calories." 0:26

He explains that the average man needs about 1 million calories per year if working daily, while survival can be managed on roughly half that amount, around 1400 calories per day, which is enough to sustain life but not for heavy physical activity.

Key points:

• The supply is for one person, based on half rations (about 1400 calories/day).
• 2.5 million calories total, equating to roughly 5 years at half rations.
• Realistically, this is closer to a 2.5-year supply at full caloric needs.
• Many claims of 10-year supplies on YouTube are often exaggerated without proper math.
• The pantry serves both as a working pantry and an apocalypse pantry.

---

Canadian Prepper emphasizes the dual nature of his pantry: a working pantry for regular use and an apocalypse pantry for long-term storage. He has been building this system for over eight years.

"This is a working pantry but it's also an apocalypse pantry... the apocalypse component everything is going to last 25 years plus." 1:11

He prefers fresh food for health reasons and cycles through canned goods less frequently, focusing on grains and staples that don’t require preservatives.

He introduces his color-coded bucket system for organization:

• Yellow: Grains (wheat, oats, pasta)
• Blue: Sugars, salts, spices
• Red: Protein (meat, powdered eggs, lentils)
• White: Rice varieties
• Gray: Drinks (coffee, freeze-dried smoothies)
• Black: Junk food (chocolates, sesame snaps)
• Green: Vegetables (freeze-dried, though limited due to time/energy constraints)

"The color coding system is convenient but absolutely not necessary." 4:49

Key points:

• Long-term storage uses mylar bags inside 5-7 gallon buckets.
• Buckets sometimes have gamma lids but food is sealed inside bags, not touching plastic.
• Freeze-dried foods like Mountain House are considered premium but expensive.
• He cautions against cheap freeze-dried meal buckets claiming 30-60 meals for $300.
• Grains and rice are staples due to cost-effectiveness and versatility.
• Protein sources include freeze-dried meats, powdered eggs, lentils, and milk powder.
• Vegetables are less freeze-dried due to low calories and high effort required.

---

Canadian Prepper stresses the importance of the storage environment, highlighting three layers of protection:

1. Micro layer: The product’s original packaging.
2. Meso packaging: Buckets or cans.
3. Macro packaging: The storage space itself.

"You should be able to eat off the floor of your food pantry... put more barriers between your stuff and the outside world." 2:59

He warns about pests, moisture, and temperature fluctuations that can spoil food. A dehumidifier is essential, as he empties liters of water daily from his unit.

"Water is not your friend when it comes to food storage." 3:50

He also advises climate control to avoid freezing or overheating, recommending a cold, dry, dark place with LED lighting to minimize heat.

Key points:

• Organize and renovate storage space for cleanliness and pest control.
• Use a dehumidifier to control moisture.
• Avoid temperature swings that can damage packaging.
• Keep food away from windows and light sources.
• Proper storage can extend shelf life to 25+ years for freeze-dried foods.

---

Canadian Prepper walks through the contents of his buckets and pantry:

• Yellow buckets: Flour, pancake mix, oats, macaroni, ramen noodles (noting the MSG content kids like).
• Red buckets: Various proteins including tuna (wet and freeze-dried), powdered eggs, lentils, milk powder.
• White buckets: Large quantities of rice, about 1 million calories worth.
• Gray buckets: Freeze-dried smoothies (fruit purees) that last 25-30 years.
• Blue buckets: Sugar, salt, spices.
• Black buckets: Junk food for morale, especially for kids.
• Green buckets: Limited freeze-dried vegetables, mostly popcorn for calories.

He also includes some canned goods like tomatoes, spam (for barter), and MREs for bug-out scenarios.

"I have some spam... because it's the staple prepper food and I figure there's going to be somebody dumb enough to trade me for this." 10:39

Additional items include baking powder, vanilla extract, lemon juice, maple syrup, pickles, soy sauce, hot sauce, vinegar, and a large tub of raw honey purchased for $100 (15 kg), which he values highly for barter.

"Honey is going to be worth probably the same amount as somebody's house... an incredibly high value commodity." 12:49

Key points:

• Each bucket contains roughly 25,000 to 35,000 calories.
• Minimal fats stored due to short shelf life; fats come from meat and nuts.
• Freeze-dried smoothies can be combined with protein powders for nutrient-rich drinks.
• Variety of spices and condiments to improve flavor and preserve food.
• Includes cleaning supplies, disposable utensils, and hygiene products to conserve water.
• Toilet paper tablets are stored for space-saving and sanitation in outhouse scenarios.

---

Canadian Prepper highlights his Harvest Right freeze dryer, a key tool for long-term food preservation.

"This can take any chicken... and make it last 25 to 30 years... 97% of the nutrient content retained." 17:29

He explains the freeze dryer’s value in preserving expensive meats and making them last decades, which also creates excellent barter items.

He also discusses his seed storage in a stand-up freezer, referencing a study showing seeds stored in permafrost remained viable after 30 years due to low temperature and moisture.

"You got to keep that temperature low and keep the moisture levels low as well." 16:56

Key points:

• Freeze drying extends shelf life of low-fat foods to 25-30 years.
• Freeze dried meats retain texture, taste, and most nutrients.
• Seed storage requires cold, dry conditions to maintain viability.
• Freeze dryer is expensive but pays off by preserving high-value foods.
• Solar generators may be needed to power freeze dryers off-grid.

---

Canadian Prepper closes by reiterating the realistic nature of his food supply.

"This is a working pantry but it's also an apocalypse pantry... realistically this is probably only going to last a year or two for my entire family." 18:16

He warns that people doing hard manual labor will burn 3000-4000 calories daily, requiring more than 1 million calories per year.

"A lot of people who are showing you these 10-year survival food pantries, they're not doing the math properly." 18:33

He encourages viewers to ask questions and check out his other videos, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation.

Key points:

• The 5-year supply is for one person at half rations.
• Full caloric needs for active survival require much more food.
• Many survival food claims online are exaggerated.
• Proper planning and realistic expectations are crucial.
• Supporting the channel through purchases helps maintain content.

---

This video offers a grounded, practical look at long-term food storage with a focus on realistic calorie needs, proper storage techniques, and the value of freeze drying. Canadian Prepper’s personal experience and detailed system provide a valuable resource for anyone serious about prepping.