What’s in your pantry?
If your answer to “what’s in your pantry?” is “I have no idea” and “I usually have trouble finding what I’m looking for” then I think a little pantry TLC is in order.
Set aside an hour of your time and get ready for a pantry purge.
1. Gather the following supplies: trash and recycling containers, a donation bag/box and a bucket of soapy water and rags.
2. Empty one shelf at a time. Decide whether each item should be kept or tossed. Is the food expired, stale or something you no longer want to consume? When in doubt throw it out. Recycle glass jars, boxes and cans if possible. Consider donating food you no longer want, but is still usable, to a local food pantry.
3. Wipe the crumbs and dried on food from each shelf with a rag and return the food you decided to keep to the shelf.
4. After you have finished with all the shelves and cabinets, categorize the food into groups. I know this sounds nit-picky but it will be a big time saver. For example, your breakfast items on one shelf or area, pasta/rice in another area, baking items together, and canned goods together.
5. Maintain the organization, because who wants to do this ever again! Straighten the shelves every time you put groceries away.
Now you will know what you have on hand AND be able to find it quickly. That’s a great feeling!