Our Pantry Rotation Strategy and Food Storage Tips ~ Proverbs 31 Preparedness Series

(Note: This is part 3 in our Proverbs 31 Preparedness Series)

Our Pantry Rotation Strategy: 

As we don't have the means to purchase buckets of freeze dried food and other such specialty items for long-term food storage, the concept of "rotation" is the solution for our household. It features the classic inventory method -- first food in, means first food out. With this strategy, you will be able to store more bulk food knowing it will go into your meal rotation before it goes bad. This is not rocket science but I know that some of you may be overwhelmed and don't know where to start! Thus, I thought to share our simple system and goals.

We keep most of our bulk foods (grains, beans, flour, sugars, etc.) in the kitchen in large 2.5-gallon glass canisters and Tupperware containers. Our latest strategy was to keep an additional supply (of the same amount) of each of the "popular" items in our storeroom pantry.  I have these nice stackable containers that can house a decent amount of food while being easy to store on the upper shelves. When the kitchen containers start to empty,  I refill them with my back-up storeroom supply.



Now, those items we refilled from the storeroom pantry will be added to a monthly grocery list (and technically, my goal is to have a refill ready before I empty out the storeroom stash!). This way, I have at least an excess month's worth of food on hand at all times. While I can't buy a back-up supply for my basic pantry staples all at once, I have been adding the least expensive and most consumed pantry items as I can afford to each week or month to build up a reserve. That would mean beans, rice, oatmeal, sugar, flour, and popcorn for our household.

My next goal (when we have more funds to work with), is to start adding a 3rd rotation into the ring with 5-gallon bucket containers full of our most used food items which boast a long shelf-life (such as the items listed above). This will hopefully boost us into the 3-6 month food supply arena when you consider all our home-canned goods and year-round garden produce.

Once we achieve the third goal, we will assess the success of our system and our financial budget. If all has worked out well, I would love to be able to store a year's worth of food! So you see, I am quite the beginner and an ambitious dreamer perhaps!  But like they say, "don't despise meager beginnings".

How Much to Store:

How much food to store depends on how much you can (and want to) store! To make it simple, here is an easy method to calculate your family's needs.

"Easiest way to calculate a year’s supply worth of food: Put a date on an item when you open it and see how long it takes you to use it up and then multiply that out for 12 months* Be sure to account for holidays or preserving times when you may use more of a certain ingredient like canning salt or sugar." ~ Melissa Norris

* Obviously this time period can be decreased or increased depending on your food storage goals.

Before we get into the foods that we will be purchasing in larger-bulk for our pantry (as a part of our versatility strategy), I wanted to share some food storage tips. Without the proper care, all your precious investment can be destroyed!

"Temperature, moisture, light, oxygen, rodents, insects, and bacteria are the enemies of stored food, and all deserve careful consideration when you are looking for space for your supplies."

~ Kathy Harrison, Just in Case: How to Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens

Food Storage Tips:

Here are some basics tips on storing food. I know there are many ideas in this arena but I am including the most practical and "doable" concepts that we use in our household:

• As there is no way to spot eggs or larvae in your purchased grains, seeds and beans, assume the worst and treat it accordingly. There are many ways to "fumigate" your foods but the simplest method that we use is to freeze grains, seeds and beans for 7 - 10 days prior to storing. This will kill any critters that are lurking in the bags. 

• Once you have "fumigated", repack anything you purchase in plastic bags, paper sacks, or cardboard boxes and re-store these items in sterilized, bug-proof glass or airtight, food-grade plastic containers. 

• Now that your food is free of pests and stored properly, tuck a few bay leaves in your containers of grains, seeds and beans (bay acts as a bug repellent). 

• Foods should be stored in a cool, dark, dry area (like a pantry or closet). For example, do not store food near warm places such as by wood stoves, furnaces and ovens.  Keep food out of direct sunlight for best results as it will compromise the quality of your food. Moisture and humidity are also enemies of proper food storage. Keep foods airtight and in dry areas.  Keep an eye on any dried food items kept in a basement for this very reason. Kathy Harrison suggests adding grains of rice (wrapped in cheesecloth) to your bulk food in humid-prone areas and rotating with fresh rice every few weeks to absorb any moisture in your containers. Basically, food should be given the best storage in the home while things like toilet paper can be stored in less climate protected areas such as hot garages, attics, etc.

• Practice food rotation. Try and put a date on everything you buy in bulk or at least place the older items up front so they are used first. Place the newer items in the back to keep your inventory fresh.

• And once again, for practical reasons, store only the foods that your family already loves and eats!

Do you have any basic rotation and food storage strategies you would like to add? I am in no way an expert in this area, but am sharing what is workable for my family (and on our budget) and what I have gleaned from Just in Case: How to Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens.

Your homework for the week:

• Decide upon a system for food storage and organize it. Make sure to date the bulk items you purchase so that you use up those items (via rotation) before they go bad. 

Extra Credit:

• Start collecting extra food storage containers. You will find some prudent pantry storage solutions here.

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