Prep Your Pantry
Organized food storage helps you know what you have on hand so you can make it to the grocery store quicker! Look at our tips below to learn how to organize your food storage and get ready for the store.
Pantry and Refrigerator Organization
Start with your pantry
No matter what size pantry you may have, pantry organization is important so you can easily see what you have on hand. Try to organize your pantry by category. Store similar items together, such as pastas and other grains, or dried and canned beans.
Smaller items, such as canned items and spices, can be hard to organize. "Risers" can be a great way to see all of the smaller items in your cabinet without needing to move anything around. You can even make them yourself! Try placing a piece of wood or cardboard on two cans of the same size to make a makeshift shelf. Small cardboard boxes or cereal boxes would also work as a homemade riser.
Then, organize your refrigerator and freezer
Refrigerator organization is also important in order to keep your food safe and fresh. Like your pantry, try to organize your refrigerator by category. You can also use the different storage locations in your fridge to help you stay organized.
- Crisper Drawers: Most produce should be stored in the "crisper drawers", which help extend the life of your produce.
- Refrigerator Door: This is the warmest part of the refrigerator. Store items that are least likely to spoil in this area. Condiments and most beverages are great choices for this area.
- Bottom shelf: This is the best place to store any raw meats or fish in case your package leaks.
- Working with a mini-fridge? Remember, the back of the fridge is the coldest and it gets warmer closer to the door. Avoid storing produce, like lettuce, towards the back of the fridge or it may become icy.
Do you ever buy multiple items when they are on sale? Try to follow the rule of "FIFO" or "first in, first out." This means that the oldest item should go in front and place the newer item in the back. This helps you use up the older items before they expire. It also prevents you from having multiple open containers of the same item.
Check Your Pantry First
When meal planning, it's important to first check to see what you already have on hand. This can prevent you from buying more than what you need. While you are searching your pantry, you can see if anything you have is expiring soon. These are the best items to use first when meal planning so that they don't go to waste.
↑ Back to topPantry/Fridge Stocking Tips
Most pantry items are "shelf-stable", meaning they last longer compared to fresh produce, dairy, eggs and meat that need to be refrigerated or frozen. These are great options to stock up on when they are on sale since they have longer shelf lives.
Pantry Checklist
- Canned beans, such as garbanzo beans or chickpeas, black beans, and pinto beans, are a great source of fiber and plant-based protein to have on hand. Throw canned beans in a pasta dish for extra fiber or in a casserole for more protein.
- Canned proteins, such as tuna or chicken, are also very versatile. They are canned fully cooked, so they can be used without heating. Toss them on a salad, add into soups, or substitute them for fresh meat in many recipes.
- Canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, green beans and corn, are wonderful when those items are no longer in season. Canned vegetables have comparable nutrition to fresh vegetables and cost much less.
- Canned fruits, such as peaches, pineapple, and pears, can be just as healthy as fresh fruit and are often less expensive. Look for canned fruits that are canned in water or 100% juice. Canned fruit can be a great option for baking, too!
- Grains, such as rice and pasta, are pantry must haves. Most grains can be prepared in a variety of ways including in soups, stews, salads and casseroles.
The riser trick with cereal boxes saved my spice cabinet! Wish I'd known this years ago.
Didn't realize the fridge door was the warmest spot — moving my milk to the back shelf tonight.
FIFO has cut our food waste big time. We started labeling cans with the purchase month.