Buying food in bulk is not only a great way to save money, it’s a great way to reduce packaging, as well as your trips to the grocery store! We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to keep your pantry stocked and help you avoid some common mistakes while storing bulk food.
- Temperature – Keep your bulk food in a cool dark place that doesn’t experience fluctuating temperatures. A basement is often a great solution. Depending on the season, storage areas like a garage have varying temperatures which can cause your bulk food to spoil. Changes in moisture level and lighting can cause the same.
- Avoid plastic – Glass and metal storage is best. The classic mason jar is great for organizing your pantry, as well as keeping any unwanted pest away.
- Try freezing or canning – Take advantage of local, seasonal fruits and vegetables, storing them to enjoy all year long. Some fruits and vegetables can be stored long term such as apples, squash and onions – just make sure they are in a cool, dark place.
- Herbs and spices – Do you enjoy fresh herbs from your garden in the summer? Try freezing them to use in the winter as well. Freezing in olive oil is a great way to store herbs (such as basil or dill) to infuse into your dishes at a later date.
- Dried beans – A good rule of thumb when it comes to storing dried beans is to only buy one years’ supply at a time. Anything older can affect the cooking time of your beans.
- Label – Use a paint pen on glass jars to label the contents, as well as a date of purchase.
Always remember to buy only what you’ll use. It’s easy to get carried away and you don’t want to end up with waste at the end of the year![ultimate_spacer height=”10″]
