Want to save money on your grocery bill? Well, saving money on your grocery bill actually starts with your pantry and refrigerator.

Knowing what foods and ingredients are already in your pantry and knowing what is about to expire means that you won’t over-buy or throw away food that is expired or has spoiled. Sometimes, though, our pantries can become “drop-off zones” for miscellaneous items. Organizing, then, can be overwhelming. Taking the time to clean out the pantry and properly organize the food items helps you know what ingredients are available or about to expire, so food is not discarded.

Cleaning out the pantry can be a great way to refresh your kitchen and get a sense of usable ingredients. It will also assist in knowing what you don’t need to buy and what foods need to be replaced.  So how do you start? Here are some tips:

• Think about how you use your pantry. What items are you selecting most often. Is it a canned item, snack food or perhaps a baking ingredient? Whatever those items are, they should be in a place that is visible and easy to reach.
• Take out items that don’t belong in a pantry. Maybe you’re storing a container of craft items or a box of pretty paper plates with matching napkins that could be stored in another location. Whatever the items are, your pantry is for food and kitchen items, so don’t waste the shelf space on items best stored someplace else. Another thought is that if these items are never going to be used again, give them to a friend or donate before they get old.
• Organize, storing foods using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method. This way, a food item that is close to being expired, will be used first. And, make sure to keep up this process, otherwise you will always be using the newest ingredient first and letting those behind expire.

Don’t forget about your herbs and spices. It’s important to keep your herbs and spices away from light and heat, to preserve freshness. That makes pantry storage perfect for these items. But, herbs and spices do expire. So, pay attention to the expiration dates. And, remember that the older the spice, the less strong it will smell and the less it will flavor the food.

Got chips, cookies and/or snacks?  If your home is like mine, these items don’t stick around for very long. That said, they will go stale if kept too long, and should be discarded if they are stale.

If you’re a baker, you’ll likely have supplies of flour, sugar and leavening agents. Pay attention to the expiration of baking powder and baking soda. If you are taking the time to make homemade baked goods, you want ingredients that are fresh to ensure the finished product rises successfully and tastes delicious. Remember, expired baking soda can be used in your refrigerator to absorb odors. Just remember to replace that refrigerator box every three months or so.

Don’t overlook your vegetable oils, olive oil, grapeseed oils and other cooking or seasoning oils. Oils (and nuts) can go rancid over time. If you don’t use these items often, consider purchasing smaller quantities so to ensure freshness. Nuts can also be stored in the freezer to preserve freshness. And make it a practice to date the storage container before freezing. 

I’m frequently asked about storage containers. If you are thinking about purchasing storage containers, remember a couple of points. One, storage decanters can be costly. And, two, it requires a good deal of time and effort to maintain the system. Do you have the time (and energy) to constantly refill them, making sure to wash the containers between uses? If so, consider purchasing airtight containers for your flour, sugar and coffee beans. 

Last, but certainly not least, take a look at the shelves themselves. Are they in need of a good cleaning? If using shelf paper, does it need to be replaced? A quick way to keep your shelves clean without ripping off and putting on new shelf paper is to think about using something that is stiff or holds its shape, such as non-fabric placemats or a rubber mat that can be cut to size. Using something stiff to cover your shelves will make it easier to clean. As a bonus for those with wire shelving, a stiffer lining will help keep your food items balanced and secured on the shelves. 

Take some time to organize your pantry. Be realistic on future purchases so that you’re not purchasing foods that you really don’t know how to use or never tried. Keep your pantry organized in a way that best fits your needs. If food is going to expire and you know you won’t have the time to use it, donate the item or give it to a friend or neighbor to use in their meals.

A pantry is one of the most-used areas of the house. Keep yours organized and simple to help make your cooking easier and save you money.

Bon appétit! 

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