The Contents of the Kitchen Pantry

What to Store in the Pantry

• Foods that are prone to dangerous microorganisms, such as meats and dairy products, require refrigeration or freezing. Dry ingredients, such as grains, dried beans, canned meats and unopened condiments, keep well in the pantry unless their packaging states otherwise. Some food packaging advises against refrigeration; for example, certain spreadable condiments harden beyond use when refrigerated. Some produce, such as peppers and tomatoes, deteriorate quickly unless stored in a dry, cool place, such as a pantry. When in doubt, read food packaging or store display labels, or ask a knowledgeable store representative when buying.

Simplifying Meal Preparation

• It's not uncommon to buy an ingredient only to find out that you already have it at home. A well-organized pantry saves you money in this regard, as well as by making it easier for you to cook at home instead of eating out. Make a list of your favorite meals, especially those for which you usually go to a restaurant; for example, a list of Italian foods. Find recipes for those meals in cookbooks at the local library and buy the necessary ingredients. While you may have to buy meat, which requires cold storage, you can store ingredients such as pasta, canned tomato sauce and canned spinach in the pantry for months.

Cycling Contents

• While "non-perishable" food items last longer than fresh foods, they typically have expiration dates. Few things are more disappointing than preparing a meal only to find that it tastes funny due to the inclusion of an ingredient that has long gone stale. Avoid this problem by stocking foods in your pantry according to their expiration dates. Place new items in the back of the pantry, farthest from your reach, and ingredients with faster approaching expiration dates in front so that you use them sooner. A can of vegetables that expires in a year, for example, should go in front of one that expires in two years.

Emergency Preparedness

• When natural disasters strike, shoppers flock to grocery stores to buy emergency food supplies. Stay ahead of the rush by keeping your pantry stocked with food to sustain your family through an emergency. Choose foods that don't require heat to prepare, such as dried and canned meats, dried fruits, crackers and especially bottled water. In addition to these, store a can opener, first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone, a map and a small battery-powered radio (see Resources).