Pantry tricks to save time and eliminate food waste

Labelled storage jars

Organizing and rotating your pantry is an important way to reduce food waste and save money on groceries. Here are some tips for keeping your pantry organized and rotating your items effectively:

  1. Declutter your pantry: To start, take everything out and sort through it, getting rid of expired or spoiled items. Wipe down the shelves and consider investing in storage containers or bins to keep your pantry organized.
  2. Group similar items together: This will make it easier to find what you need and keep track of your inventory. For example, you might want to keep all of your canned goods in one area, your spices in another, and your dry goods (such as flour, sugar, and rice) in yet another.
  3. Use clear, airtight storage containers or bins. This will make it easier to see what you have and will help prevent you from buying duplicates. Clearly label each bin and write the purchase date on the front of each pantry item.
  4. Keep track of your inventory: Use a whiteboard or dry eraseboard to keep track of your pantry inventory. This can help you remember what you have and what you need to restock. You can also use stickers or markers to indicate the expiration date on each item. If you are an excel whizz, you might keep a spreadsheet of what you have and when it will expire.
  5. Rotate your pantry items regularly: This means moving the items that are about to expire to the front of the shelf so that you use them first. Don’t forget about items that are stored in the freezer. Make sure to rotate these as well.
  6. Use a “first in, first out” (FIFO) system: This means putting new items in the back of the pantry and using the older items first. This will help ensure that you are using the oldest items before they expire.
  7. Don’t overbuy on pantry items: Only purchase what you know you will use within a reasonable amount of time. Consider making a meal plan for the week to help ensure that you use up all of your pantry items.

By following these tips, you can keep your pantry organized and rotate your items effectively, which will help you reduce food waste and save money on groceries. Remember to regularly check your pantry for expired or spoiled items and to use the oldest items first to ensure that you are not wasting food.