Organizing long-term storage pantry foods is a practical and efficient way to streamline your kitchen and make the most of your storage space. But it can require some thought to the layout and creativity with the arrangements too.
Here’s a step by step pantry organization guide to use as a compass while you transform the space where you keep your bulk pantry items.
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The pantry can often be overlooked but it secretly wields the power to elevate your kitchen capabilities & cooking skills.
In fact, it’s where the journey to kitchen confidence begins. But you can only unlock that potential by transforming your storage spaces into organized things of beauty and usefulness. Doing so not only saves you time. It also fuels your cooking adventures with unparalleled efficiency. And for some, that’s everything because not everyone enjoys spending so much time in the kitchen.
This post is about just one area of your kitchen. But the way I see it, you should have at least 4 – they are the 4 zones of your kitchen. Organizing your kitchen this way is my best beginner kitchen organization tip. A 4-zone kitchen has a working pantry, refrigerator & freezer areas and an extended pantry storage area. And that’s the section we’re talking about now.
Step 1. Preparation & Assessment of your Long-term Storage Pantry Space
First things first. Set the foundation by taking stock of what you have in this area. Ideally, this part of your kitchen is home to the foods that you refill from as containers in your working pantry/fridge empty out. So you consume consciously, rotating through food in a FIFO (first-in, first-out) fashion to avoid food waste. And avoid the frustration of having three bags of the same thing open at once but all are only partially used.
Conduct a thorough inventory to identify what you have and how much. This segment of the kitchen isn’t used as frequently as food elsewhere in the kitchen. In fact, the foods and resources you put here will likely be items you go to once every few months as opposed to daily or weekly.
You can use my basic kitchen inventory management worksheets for this exercise. But I strongly encourage you to keep more detailed records of the items in this space too. Use a kitchen logbook for greater self-sufficiency, by documenting things like how much of the item was purchased, when and how much you paid. That information is helpful for sustainable bulk shopping.
The information you track on the basic sheet will help simplify your usage. At a glance, you’ll be able to make plans to use or preserve the foods you see.
And while you’re surveying your resources, check expiration dates! Prioritize items that need to be used sooner by pulling those to the front line. Isn’t it funny how shifty pantry items tend to be?
BTW, you know where this little inventory log should be kept right? In your self-sufficient kitchen logbook of course!
Step 2. Organization Tips for your Long-term Storage Pantry Space
Dedicate space for long-term storage pantry foods.
If at all possible, this will distinguish your bulk pantry items from common use. Dedicated space might be a specific section of your cabinets or a certain shelf in your pantry closet. It makes it easier to locate these items when you need them.
But I get the struggle of trying to live a self-sufficient life in a small space. Space gets tight & real estate is exclusive. So if separation isn’t possible, consider using clear containers or shelves with labels for easier visibility. Remember, just make this look different in some way than your everyday items.
Use the Right Storage Containers
There’s 3 levels here.
- Foods that need airtight and moisture-resistant containers like flours, sugars, teas or spices.
- Foods that don’t need airtight containers like home preserved canned foods or store-bought canned items.
- Food items that need ventilation but also need moisture resistant conditions – like potatoes & onions.
Airtight and moisture-resistant containers are critical for storing long-term pantry foods because they help prevent pests.
But for the foods that don’t need containers like canned goods or home preserved items, you should consider open shelving systems. It’s easy visibility for what you have and won’t require additional containers. Ding, ding, ding!
For foods like potatoes that need ventilation, consider baskets or mesh bags. The proper airflow will prevent moisture buildup and sprouting. These provide easy visibility too – which I’m all about because if it slips out of sight, it goes out of mind. And that increases the odds of food spoiling.
Consider using bulk dispensers or containers with dispensing mechanisms for frequently used items like flour, sugar, or rice. This makes for easy pouring or scooping. But as with anything, choose a dispenser with an airtight seal to maintain freshness.
If you’re going to use a container at all for foods mixed in with your everyday pantry, opt for transparent ones. Take the guess work out of what you have & make routinely updating your inventory a breeze too.
With clear, see through containers you can complete your inventory checks in a jiffy because easily identifying the contents means you’ll also see the quantity levels. And whenever possible, use like container styles and size to maximize space & fit more in.
A note on longer, long-term storage containers
You should also consider using food grade buckets with Mylar bags & oxygen absorbers. They stack & transfer well. You can find these buckets from sushi shops, smoothie vendors, pickling companies (wash them well first!). But if you can’t thrift any, they can be bought online for a pretty penny.
But for more heavy duty, containers like 27-Gal or 40-Gal totes come in handy for storing your precious cargo. Both of these options are an extra layer of insulation against pests/rodents. We actually use Hefty Hi-Rise bins which conveniently stow away under beds with some clearance.
However, they can still be chewed through. So if this is a concern for you/your space, you should consider using steel cans or bins that can’t be chewed through (easily anyway).
With any food storage bin/container (especially if you don’t have secondary packaging) try to keep it from sitting directly on the floor. The higher, the better in some cases!
Draft a Labeling System
When it comes to identification, your labeling system is extra insurance. Provided you can read your handwriting anyway!
Now you could use a fancy label maker, but in my kitchen I am the label maker. Clearly mark the contents of any secondary containers with expiration dates or the month/year you made the item. Be sure to use waterproof labels or markers to prevent smudging too. It might also be helpful to include cooking instructions or special notes for certain items if that makes it more convenient for you.
For food stored in secondary containers like 5-gallon buckets, use a permanent marker to note the contents & date packed on the outside. Same for any storage totes. It doesn’t need to be fancy to be efficient. (Peep my buckets to see what I mean!)
Organize pantry foods by categories & zones
Categorize bulk pantry food items based on types. Put all your grains, beans, pasta or baking supplies together. If you want to spruce things up, you can create separate zones within the bulk storage area. Let’s say you love Asian cooking like we do here. You can keep a small section of your long-term storage area stocked with Asian sauces, stir fry ingredients or bulk spices.
Another way you can organize long-term storage pantry foods is by arranging them in order of frequency of use. Even though you won’t be using them daily or weekly, this way is quite efficient.
The whole method of separating out your kitchen into 4 different areas is something I learned from Mary of Mary’s Nest. Listen to her explain the 4-corners pantry system.
Step 3. Optimize your long-term storage pantry space for maximum efficiency
Utilize Vertical Space
Maximize vertical space by using stackable containers or tiered shelving. Keep things simple by preventing overcrowding. These tools make it easier to reach items at the back of the pantry anyway. You might also try using adjustable shelving. That’s good for various bulk item sizes.
Also incorporate shelving where possible to move things around in your kitchen. It’s actually ok if a small rack stands out in an open space because it will keep your mind on what needs to be used. But it also will force you to keep it organized.
Rotate Stock Regularly
It’s worth mentioning again how practicing the FIFO (first-in, first-out) approach will keep your items from expiring. Regularly rotate older items to the front and newer items to the back. Then make a plan to use them up soon before the back becomes as old as the front!
Create a System for Bulk Shopping
Keep an updated list of essential items. As your needs and tastes change, modify your list. Then when you’re shopping or you come across a sale, you can stay organized AND prevent over-purchasing or forgetting necessary items.
A digital checklist would streamline the shopping process. I use an Excel spreadsheet on my phone, but you can just as easily use grocery shopping apps.
Practice Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular check-in sessions for your bulk pantry organization. Declutter, check expiration dates, and adjust quantities as needed. If you’re not using an item as rapidly, decrease how much you keep on hand. If you’re consistently running out of another, consider making double or buying the next largest size on your next trip.
Final Tips on Organizing Long-term Storage Pantry Foods
1. Start Small & Gradual
You can be as self-sufficient as you wish to be. And you’re putting forth massive amounts of effort by starting with your food and in the kitchen.
But a well-organized kitchen comes through the same slow and steady approach as the rest of the journey. By tackling one area at a time. Focus on a single shelf or cabinet before moving on to the entire pantry.
This gradual approach prevents overwhelm and allows you to develop a system that works for your specific needs and then perfect that system over time. Breaking down the process into manageable steps ensures success and builds kitchen confidence over time.
2. Invest in Quality Storage Essentials
These are your allies in creating an organized kitchen. Spend time looking through the options in your local stores. Test out the containers you’ve seen at your moms or a friend’s. Scope out what’s in the office or study hall kitchenette.
As you begin to develop a sense for what you like, you can create a visually appealing pantry. And you’ll have fun doing it!
3. Add personality with visual “Use by” cues
Use colored stickers or tags to assign different timeframes.
For example, green for anything with an expiry/best by date at least 3 months out. That means you have some time. Red could be used for things to use within the current month. If you use a laminated sheet & some velcro, these instantly become reusable. You’re welcome.
This system offers a proactive approach to managing your long-term pantry foods. It’s fluid & moving and a very interactive element to organization too.
These tips can help even a beginner lay a strong foundation for a well-organized kitchen by crafting the most beautifully efficient bulk pantry stocking. And in this way, you’ll achieve success in the kitchen & greater self-sufficiency.
And, I’ve listed a few essential pantry staples you’ll need once you have your organization layout planned.
I’m so excited for you. You’ve got this lovely!
🌱 Start Small. Start Now. Start where you are with what you have. The rest will follow. 🌱
Is being more self-sufficient something you’re interested in but don’t know where to start?
The Self-Sufficient Roadmap is for you!
Designed it to eliminate some of the overwhelm, find out exactly where you are & what to look forward to next.
I am in such a mess with my kitche, so diorganize and honestly, don’t know where to start. This article made me think a bit what I actually should do. Great tips, thanks.
Heyy girl! We all start somewhere & then start again so don’t stress too much over it! Take it one step at a time & you’ll get there 🙂 Thanks for reading, I’m glad this post helped you out.