Day 10: Clearing Out the Pantry

“Even the most resourceful housewife cannot create miracles from a riceless pantry.” ~Chinese Proverb

Yesterday we talked about cleaning the fridge and freezer so you have easy access to fresh foods for creating healthy meals. Today we’re extending that to the pantry, the place where stale crackers and old cans of beans hide. The pantry can be tricky, because old food in the pantry doesn’t usually “announce” itself the way yucky food in the fridge does. It’s so easy for an expired can to slip to the back, or for a cereal bag to be left open and the contents go stale, so it’s important to take time ever so often to do a clean sweep, get rid of the old, and organize the good stuff. Here are a few tips for cleaning out the cupboards:

• Go shelf by shelf, starting at the top. Remove everything from the shelf and wipe the shelf down with warm, soapy water, then dry thoroughly. Toss food that is past its expiration date, is stale or has bugs (weevils are common in dry goods, so check carefully!) If one of your goals is to eat healthier, this is a good opportunity to get rid of the some of the unhealthy snack foods that often live in the pantry (you wouldn’t believe how much candy I found in mine!)
• If you find food that’s still good but that you don’t plan to eat, set it aside for a donation to the local food pantry.
• Consider storing dry goods such as rice, flour, sugar and other staples in air-tight clear containers. I use large glass jars with rubber seals for my staples. If you opt for plastic, buy containers free of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in many polycarbonate plastics that may migrate from containers to food (types 3 and 7 plastics may contain BPA).
• Arrange like foods together. For example, use one shelf for canned goods, and group soups together, then gravies, canned veggies, canned fruits, etc. Group together baking supplies on one shelf, and snack foods on another. Not only will you be able to find what you want easier, you’ll be able to tell at a glance what needs to go on the grocery shopping list. 
• Corral small items together in bins, baskets or clear boxes. An over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets works fabulously on standard pantry doors. Small items such as tea bags, drink packets, microwave popcorn, spices containers, oatmeal packets and bags of beans can be organized easily.
• If you keep cleaning supplies in your pantry, weed out the ones you don’t use, and get rid of the rest. Be sure to dispose of toxic chemicals properly as hazardous materials. If you keep cleaning supplies in your pantry (or just want to keep the little ones out of the snacks), consider putting child locks on pantry and cupboard doors. 
• If you have high shelves that are difficult to reach, consider getting a folding step stool that can be stored in or near the pantry. We keep a folding stepladder tucked next to our fridge for reaching high shelves. 
• When you do your weekly maintenance of the fridge and freezer, do a quick sweep through the pantry to straighten the shelves and get rid of any stale or expired products.

Tomorrow: Decluttering Kitchen Cabinets

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.