How to Start a Food Storage Program
A food storage program is an important aspect of creating a pantry. Knowing what is in the pantry is necessary when determining what meals will be created, and saving money is easy when shopping if it is known what is on hand and what is not.
The Provident Living website suggests that people do not spend too much money to begin with, building up their food storage supply over time. In this way, money is available for other household and personal needs.
Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Preparing for Food Storage
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1
Sit down with the family and determine what foods to store. Consider what is normally consumed, and do not plan for anything that is not already liked. Add such items later, when it is evident that the foods will be eaten. Write the items that you will store in the notebook.
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2
Determine how much space is available for food storage. Think about what types of foods can easily be stored in that area. Will you have to rethink the information from step 1?
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3
Determine how much of each item will be stored by goals end. A three month supply of food is a good goal. Adding more later is fine if there is room. Add these numbers next to the items from step 1.
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4
Clean the storage area and allow it to dry before adding food. Place bay leaves on the shelves to prevent bug infestation.
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5
Shop for the items that are budgeted for, adding to the food stores each week until the goal is met. Mark what is purchased off the list created in step 1.
Organizing the Storage Area
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6
Write an inventory list on a sheet of paper, with tally marks for each can, box or bag of food.
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7
Decide how food will be stored. What foods will go on which shelves? Keep like items on the same shelves. Pasta's on one. Vegetables on another.
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8
Stock the shelves with the items purchased. Stock them neatly, and stack items when possible. Place the most recently purchased items in the back.
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9
Eat from the pantry, marking each item off the inventory as it is used. Add these items to a shopping list.
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10
Replace the used pantry items during the next shopping day.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Consider placing a large basket in the pantry area for school lunch needs. Children can easily get to these items when needed.
Have another basket to hold drink packets, and baskets to collect other small items.
