Spring is upon us. During the transition of seasons, not only do the types of clothing you wear change, but so too do the types of meals you prepare. At the same time you put away the sweaters, you also opt less for the soups and stews of winter. Here are steps you can take to get your pantry working for you and your kitchen in the most efficient and organized way!
First, look through the pantry for all out of date food items and remove. 
This will help you get a few quick wins under your belt and get some momentum going. While you work, keep a list of items that should be replaced.
Then, look through the pantry for those kitchen or entertaining related items that have been sitting on the shelf for more than a year and analyze whether it’s worth giving them valuable pantry space. Yes – the mini-chopper that’s too hard to clean, the tortilla maker you couldn’t figure out and the George Foreman grill you haven’t touched in three years should all go to the donate pile!
Use the top shelf for least needed or seasonal items, like slow cookers. Typically, we recommend that clients use the floor and first shelf for items like bulk-purchase drinks, paper towels and trash bags.
Make the middle shelf or most easy to reach shelf the snack and cereal station. If you have children who are allowed to choose items for themselves, this will give them easy access. Group cereal, crackers, granola bars and fruit snacks together.
Next begin choosing other shelves to group like-items. All canned goods (grouped by soup, vegetables, beans, etc.) Next group pastas, grains, and baking supplies together.
We find most clients have a profusion of lunch bags spilling out of the pantry. If this is true of your pantry, and must keep them all, find a nice basket to sit on one of the bottom shelves for storage.
We find a lot of clients with reusable grocery bags hanging out in the pantry as well. This is an item that should live in a little bin in your trunk so they are always with you when it’s time to shop. Once unloaded after a grocery store run, put the empty bags right back into the trunk!
Good luck, and enjoy!
-TWOW
About Claire
Speak Your Mind