Pantry Stocking Tips: How to Prepare for Times of Uncertainty

Over the last year, we’ve all watched the COVID-19 pandemic unfold and affect the entire world. Aren’t we living in wild times?

It seemed like overnight shelves of toilet paper and hand sanitizer went out of stock. To follow, many foods disappeared off of shelves as people began preparing for the worst. Most grocery stores even had to add limits to the number of food products people could purchase!

Now, we definitely don’t think that panicking is the solution to any problem—even worldwide pandemics. But there is something to be said for being prepared...especially when it comes to having enough food and household products in your home.

Making sure both you and your family are prepared for times of uncertainty is all about being smart with how you purchase goods for your home.

Do you know how to stock your pantry so you don’t have to panic the next time a global event occurs? What types of items should you keep in your home to keep you and your family safe?

Keep reading to discover what we recommend…

Stock Your Pantry

Do you have a well-stocked pantry? Or do you have to restock your cabinet shelves every week?

Having some non-perishable foods on hand is a must...at least in our book. While we know foods with preservatives aren’t always the healthiest options, there are pantry-safe food choices that aren’t horribly bad for you such as…

• Canned veggies
• Canned fruits
• Dried fruits
• Pasta/Pasta sauce
• Nuts
• Peanut butter
• Quinoa/rice
• Dried beans
• Tuna
• Non-dairy milk products
• Beef Jerky

Of course, it’s also ok to have some guilty pleasures on hand such as…

• Sugary but delicious boxed cereals
• Ramen
• Mac-n-Cheese
• Chips
• Fruit Snacks

That being said, some options we just mentioned do often have a shelf life so always check out when things expire so you don’t overstock your pantry and let things go to waste! 

Invest in a Chest Freezer

Are you always fighting for space to store frozen foods in your combination fridge/freezer? We are too!

We’re not sure why the freezer side of the refrigerator always seems so small. But, it’s often a constant battle of trying to store meats, frozen veggies/fruits, and ice cream treats.

Investing in a chest freezer solves this problem...and allows you to set aside extra frozen products in case of an emergency.

Best of all, having extra freezer space allows you to take advantage of meat sales, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.

We personally think it’s a good idea to pick up an extra bag of chicken, a package of ground turkey/beef, some seafood, frozen veggies and/or frozen fruits when you’re able. These items can last up to a year in a deep freezer (some even longer), so if things suddenly start flying off the shelves you won’t have to go without these products.

Take Inventory of Your Household Products

Finally, it’s a good idea to keep track of your household product inventory. After all, no one wants to have to go without toilet paper!

Please be courteous with the number of household products you purchase at this time—we are still in the midst of a pandemic. However, adding an extra bag of paper towel, sanitizer, or dish soap to your list never hurts.

How much is too much?

If you have the storage space, keeping a month or two worth of products on hand is a good idea. Once again, you don’t want to purchase things that will expire or that you’ll forget about and won’t use.

Eco-Friendly Tip: Instead of loading up on paper towels, invest in some reusable wash clothes made from recycled materials. Or cut up some old t-shirts to use as rags. In a worst-case scenario, these clothes can be used for a wide variety of purposes...even as makeshift toilet paper!

There is a lot we can learn during these uncertain times...life lessons that can help us become better prepared to take care of ourselves and our loved ones in the years to come.

We hope that you learned something today that will help you down the road!

Wishing you and your family happiness, good health, and full bellies.

-Pure Modern Living