"Project: Organization" Day 5-Kitchen (the dreaded Pantry!)

I think the Pantry is one of the areas of your home where you can save the most time, and money, if it's organized. Here's why:

1. If you're organized, you're more likely to rotate food so it doesn't go bad, and less likely to have to throw it away.

2. If you can find what you need, then you're less likely to buy something you already have.

3. You'll also cut down on those "last minute, I forgot..." trips to the store where you end up leaving the store with a cart full of groceries you didn't need and too much junk food that you had to bribe your kids with for them to behave while you were shopping for that "one" thing you had forgotten to get before.

4. Organization frees up space so you can stock up on items when they are on sale-saving you more money.

5. Think of the stress you have when it's 5 o'clock and you have your dinner almost done and then realize that you're missing a key ingredient. And then you add to that stress by dragging the hungry kids to the store!

6. With just a couple minutes, you can save money by passing up those prepackaged snacks, and making your own.

So how's it sound? Are you ready to save your sanity, and some cash (that you could be spending on a movie night)?

Make sure your kitchen counters are clear.

Then pull out everything that's edible-this includes all staples like flour, snacks, etc.

Wipe down all your shelves-get off all the syrup and honey that's been stuck on there forever-let's start fresh!

Next, check those expiration dates. If you haven't been rotating and a can or two got shoved to the back, it could be bad. Also, make sure any open bags (chips, etc.) are not stale. There are some things that I will fudge a little with the expiration date if it's expired recently. But a good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, throw it out! Better safe than ending up sick!

After that, start grouping the food into categories: baking goods, snacks, drinks, pastas, etc.

Now, let's put the food in containers. I try to use a container that holds slightly more than the original bag. For example, if you purchase flour in a 5 lb. bag, put it in a container that holds a little more than that. Chances are that you're going to refill the bin BEFORE it is empty. Also, think about whether or not you will be scooping the item. You'll want to put something like flour in a bin that has a large enough opening for a measuring cup.

In reality, if you have the time, I'd empty your pantry, toss out the old, sort, and then go buy the containers so you make sure you get what you need.

In my smaller containers (mine are tupperware), I have everything from my flour, sugars, oatmeal, pancake mix, chocolate chips, nuts, pastas, etc. Anything that comes in a bag, I put in a container (except chips).

If your containers are stackable, you'll save a lot more space. And make sure to label them. You don't want your husband to be making pancakes from something he thinks is pancake mix and it's actually flour (been there, done that!) So label them! 

Ok, now let's decide where you want to store your food items. Spices should go by the stove. They do have inexpensive spice racks for your cabinet shelves that help to free up room. Just make sure you measure before you shop! And if you're getting one that mounts on the cabinet door, take into consideration where the cabinet shelves are. I didn't think about this and so we have one shelf on the spice rack that we can't use because it hits right in the middle of a shelf in the cabinet.  If you have small items that you use to bake with (real vanilla extract, almond extract, sprinkles, muffin tins, baker's chocolate), put them in a small basket or bin (another use for the plastic bins from last post!). I also use a bin for all my small packets (gravies, taco seasonings, etc). If you don't have a lot of shelf space, but have a door for your pantry, consider purchasing one of those plastic shoe hangers-you know, those that have little pockets and you put a shoe in each pocket. Well, put it on the inside of your pantry door and store all your small stuff, like your jello and pudding boxes, gravy packets, etc. Or purchase a wire shelf unit that mounts to the back of your pantry door. They make wire shelves to fit most anywhere now.

Next, I pull out my large bins. I have a bin for: chips, snacks, pastas (these are in original boxes), breakfast, and Gordon's lunches. Do what suits your family. Why do I bin them?

Well, first, it keeps bugs out and they stay fresh longer. Second, it's more organized as I have all pastas together (no digging in different cabinets or in the back of closets to see what I have). Third, I got tired of finding empty boxes of crackers that the kids ate (and then replaced the box back on the shelf), or they didn't close the lid and the crackers went stale, and it's kept me from overeating. How you might say?

Our snack container has everything from fruit roll ups, to granola bars, peanut butter crackers, nuts, etc. A lot of snack foods either come in a large box, or you pay an arm and a leg for the prepackaged snack size versions. I purchase the big box (on sale), and then use snack size ziplocks to make my own snack bags. This way I'm not sitting on the couch munching away and find out that I've eaten the whole box. And, it's easy to grab a bag and throw it in the backpacks for the kids' school snacks. Or if I know I'm going to be running around, I grab a bag of nuts or something to munch on, or a couple bags if the kids are running errands with me. So easy to do-it just takes a couple minutes.

 

Once all your bins are full, find a good location for them. I have all mine in my pantry, with the snacks low enough for the kids to get access to, and Gordon's food out of reach.

Here again, if they are clear, it's easy to see when you're getting low. On the bottom shelf I have a basket for my potatoes and onions-keep them in a dark, dry place so they last longer.

Our breakfast bin sits on the shelf by the cereals and pancake mix (keep like stuff together!). In the bin is hot cocoa, oatmeal, breakfast bars, etc. Makes it real easy to look in and grab something-no hunting going on.  

Next, what about all the cans, bottles and boxes of stuffing, etc? Organize them, grouping similar things together. Put all the beans together. Put all condiments together. If you can't fit all your food in one cabinet, that's ok. Just make sure that you don't have your beans located in multiple cabinets. That makes it too hard when it comes time to make a shopping list.

 
While this cabinet is in our food storage room, you can see what I mean by grouping similar things together. When you come home from the grocery store, put the new items in the BACK of the row.

This is one reason why I'm not too keen on using a lazy susan for food. I think it keeps food pretty scattered and doesn't give you a good rotation system. Save your lazy susan for your mixing bowls, crock pots, water pitchers, pots and pans, etc.

At one time, in our pantry, I had labels on the shelves for each food: refried beans, kidney beans, etc. But I had the room to do this. When I had to shop, I only had to literally glance and see if I had sufficient of each item. You could make a generic label that says "beans" if you don't have a lot of room. Why label? Well, then you'll know that if there is nothing in that space, you need beans. Second, your husband and kids will know where to put the food if they help you unload the groceries! It's REALLY saved me a lot of time when I'm compiling a shopping list.
 

Ok, my fingers ache, I've typed too much! Go at it. Let's get our food organized! If you have any questions, comments, or pictures, please share!! Your kitchens should just about be organized!!