How to prep a working Kitchen Pantry, Toiletry Closet, and Medicine Cabinet that serves your family and community.
Because I found myself caught on the fringe of anxious hoarding back in the Y2K saga, I am super cautious with bulk purchases. Prepping vs. Hoarding and Why You Should Care tells a bit of my back story on this subject. These days, when considering how to prep a pantry, I use time and expiration dates as a strict limiting guide, as well as our available storage space.
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Although I’ve yet to get stocked entirely as I’d like, I now store products with a maximum one-year storage boundary. If Stache and I can’t use it up in a year, I don’t buy it. Some items, such as canned goods, may have a longer shelf life, but my one-year goal helps me keep things balanced and manageable.
That being the case, many items (Toilet Paper, for example!), we only have room enough for a couple months’ rations. Although expiration dates might allow more extensive storage, our little cottage simply doesn’t have the space to store more at this time responsibly.
Living out in the country as we do, if I’m not very careful with quality food containers, we can lose our hard-earned food storage to potential unmentionable pests. Because of this, I store as much as I can in sealed glass or food-grade snap-lid containers. I do not currently bother with the next, more advanced food storage level using sealed mylar bags within gamma sealed food-grade bins because I keep my bulk storage limited to only one year.
The Process
Once I decided on the specific items I planned to store, I created a purchasing and product rotation plan. Empty-nesting has afforded us a bit more financial wiggle room than when we were raising our family. Still, we can not wisely store up a year worth of goods in a single shopping event or two. Over the last six months, we have prioritized expanding our usual grocery/household budget up to thirty percent to collect our storage. Once we are fully stocked, we can cut back.
Using space and time restrictions as my guide, I then multiply items we might use in a month and determine my purchasing goals. Some things will last us two months and while others, a year.
Ideally, I plan our weekly fresh and pantry restock lists and then add additional items on the pantry storage list yet to be purchased. I manage stock rotation by predominately maintaining the pantry order myself. However, Stache does most of the shopping these days because he is already in town for work.
I use two-three levels of storage, depending on functionality. Large storage units in the pantry cove and basement hold my bulk items, while smaller jars or canisters of the same product serve efficiently in the kitchen, day-to-day. I refill and repurchase items as I use them, being careful to rotate stock and avoid combining older ingredients with the new.
Stache and I appreciate both excellent nutrition and immune-supporting healthcare, but honestly, we are not purists. We consistently value quality and variety along with convenience, predominantly shopping at Trader Joe’s and Costco (sometimes GFS, Aldi’s, and Meijer), where we select the best we can afford.
*Extra Tips
When considering a year’s prepping amount, I suggest planning to add an annual supply of storable holiday and celebration foods to your storage shopping list. If we can prep ahead and provide for a few traditional family favorites, why not?
Whatever you do with the following recommended lists, never, ever stockpile an item you don’t KNOW your people will enjoy and likely use. This caution alone could save you loads of time, space, and money!
Assumptions and Goals
Obviously, there’s a whole lot of assumption going on in our prep thinking listed here. Assumed electrical power, assumed water source, – assumed availability for restocking, and so much more! We recognize that this discussion and list are about basic level prepping, not intended to provide for the masses or hardcore survivalist preparation.
But it’s something – and we’re grateful to God for these gifts! Maintained, together with our weekly fresh items purchased, we’ll be ready when our grown kids and their families come knocking for a visit. We’ll be prepared to serve our neighbor, a few friends, or gift towards a stranger’s need. Modest self-care in uncertain times, open arms, and kindness are our goals.
Following is a detailed list of our Kitchen Pantry, Toiletry Closet, and Medicine Cabinet. Admittedly, the list is quite LONG. If specifics aren’t an interest to you today, you’ve gotten the gist. May our gratefulness to God always be fuller than our pantries. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)!
Kitchen Pantry contents:
Grocery
Spices, Extracts, Herbs, and Seasonings
- Dried Bay leaves
- Dried Basil
- Ground Cayenne Pepper
- Ground Cumin
- Dried Dill Weed
- Dill Seed
- Granulated Garlic
- Mustard Powder
- Onion Flakes
- Dried Oregano
- Smoked Paprika
- Sweet Paprika
- Black Pepper, table grind
- Black Pepper, coarse grind
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Dried Rosemary
- Ground Sage
- Rubbed Sage
- Himalayan Salt
- Kosher Salt
- Sea Salt
- Dried Thyme
- Turmeric
- Chili Powder
- Curry Powder
- Everything But The Bagel
- Everything But The Leftovers
- Italian Herbs Blend
- Mrs. Dash (Original flavor, table grind)
- Seasoned Salt
- Taco Seasoning
- Umami Seasoning
- Ground Allspice
- Cardamom
- Ground Cinnamon
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Ground Cloves
- Whole Cloves
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Nutmeg
- Almond Extract
- Lemon Extract
- Vanilla Extract
Vinegar and Oils
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (multi-purpose)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Rice Vinegar
- White Vinegar (multi-purpose)
- Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (multi-purpose)
- Crisco Shortening Sticks, Butter flavored
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Pan Spray
- Toasted Sesame Oil, cold-pressed
- Vegetable Oil
Grains
- Hulled Barley
- Stone Ground White Grits
- GF Rolled Oatmeal
- Organic Steelcut Oats
- Stone Ground Yellow Polenta
- Organic Popcorn
- White Jasmine Rice
- Brown Jasmine Rice
- Organic Red Quinoa
Baking Goods
- Brown Sugar
- Powder Sugar
- Cane Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Cream of Tarter
- Cornstarch
- Xanthan Gum
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Candied Ginger
- Dry Milk
- Dry Buttermilk
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Cornmeal
- GF Flour Blend
- All-purpose, Unbleached Flour
- Unbleached, Self-rising Flour
- Unbleached, Bread Flour
- White Rice Flour
- Cake Mixes (Holiday)
- Cake Frostings (Holiday)
- Canned Coconut Milk
- Condensed Milk (Holiday)
- Evaporated Milk
- Canned Pastry Fruit Filling (Holiday)
Honey, Syrups, Jams and Jellies
- Raw Honey
- Apple Cider Syrup
- Corn Syrup (Holiday recipes)
- Lyle’s Golden Syrup
- Real Maple Syrup
- Molasses
- Jellies
- Jams
- Fruit Butters
Nut Butters
- Natural Almond Butter, Chunky and Creamy
- Natural Peanut Butter, Creamy
- Jiff Peanut Butter, Chunky
Soups and Crackers
- Beef Broth
- Organic Chicken Broth
- Organic Vegetable Broth
- Chili
- Cream Mushroom Soup (Holiday)
- Ready-to-eat Soups
- Butter Crackers
- Herb Crackers
- Saltine Crackers
- Water Crackers
Canned Fruit and Veggies
- Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce
- Amarena Cherries (Holiday)
- Maraschino Cherries (Holiday)
- Morello Cherries
- Fruit Cocktail in heavy syrup (Holiday)
- Mandarin Oranges
- Peaches
- Pineapple, crushed (Holidays)
- Green Beans
- Creamed Corn
- Crispy Onions (Holiday)
Condiments
- Bbq Sauce
- Organic Ketchup
- Lemon Juice
- Organic Mayonnaise
- Hellman’s Mayonnaise (Holidays)
- Dijon Mustard
- Grainy Mustard
- Organic Yellow Mustard
- Salad Dressings
- Worcestershire sauce
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts
- Banana Peppers
- Pickled Beets
- Capers
- Diced Green Chilis (Mild)
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Black Olives
- Green Olives
- Kalamata Olives
- Dill Pickles
- Sweet Pickles
- Sauerkraut
- Pesto
- Olive Tapenade (Holiday)
- Sundried Tomato Bruschetta (Holiday)
- Hot Sauce
- Picante Salsa
- Salsa Verde
- Soy sauce
- Sriracha Sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Curry Sauce
Beans and Lentils
- Organic Black-eyed Peas, dried
- Lentils, dried
- Organic Pintos, dried
- Baked Beans, canned
- Cuban Style Black Beans, canned
- Refried Beans, canned
Canned and Dried Meats
- Beef
- Chicken
- Corned Beef
- Spam
- Jerky
- Anchovies
- Smoked Oysters (Holidays)
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Tuna
Tomatoes and Sauces
- Marinara Sauces
- Pizza Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
Pasta
- Amish Noodles
- Farfalle
- Linguini
- Spaghetti
- Ziti
Dried Fruits and Nuts
- Apricots
- Dates
- Cranberries
- Raisins
- Currants
- Shredded Coconut, sweetened (Holidays)
- Coconut Flakes, unsweetened
- Raw Whole Almonds
- Slivered Almonds
- Sliced Almonds
- Raw Walnut pieces
- Raw Pecan pieces
- Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
Cereals and Bars
- Whole Grain Cereals
- Granola
- Protein Bars
- Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars
Beverages
- Water
- Apple Cider (Holidays)
- Sparkling Cider (Holidays)
Tea and Coffee
- Hao Bao Bao Whole Bean, Guatemalan Dark Roasted Coffee
- Hao Bao Bao Whole Bean Decaf Organic Fair Trade Cascadia Blend Coffee (for guests)
- Breakfast Black Tea
- Herbal Decaf Teas
- Coffee Filters
- Sugar Replacement (for guests)
Cookies and Candy
- Chocolate Almonds
- Mints
- Graham Crackers
Freezer
Freezer storage creates its own unique set of considerations. Loss of power and inadvertently finding the freezer door cracked open have both caused us grief! While a generator would be an excellent tool to manage the one problem, we’ve yet to purchase one. Stache solved the random, pesky open-door issue by attaching hasps to our two garage freezers (one large stand-up freezer and one frig/freezer combo).
Product rotation is crucial with freezer storage. Labeling (product name+date), order, and limited ‘personnel’ make this chore most comfortable to manage.
- Butter
- Medium Cheddar brick Cheese
- Sharp Cheddar brick Cheese
- Mexican Mix, grated Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese, grated
- Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Thighs
- Whole Chicken
- Beef Roast
- Beef Steaks
- Ground Beef
- Ground Beef Patties
- Kosher Hotdogs
- Fish Fillets
- Pork Shoulder or Butt
- Pork Chops
- Bacon
- Breakfast Sausage Chubs
- Brats
- Mild and Spicy Italian Sausage
- Corn Tortillas
- Flour Tortillas
- Oat Nut, Sandwich Bread
- Berry Blend
- Cut Sweet Corn
- Artichoke Hearts
- Sweet Peppers
- Collard Greens, chopped
- Spinach, chopped
Pet Supplies
- Chicken Food
- Cat Food
- Pet Health Care
- Water
Food Savers and Liners
- Freezer Bags (various sizes)
- Sandwich Bags
- Plastic Wrap
- Heavy Duty Foil
- Parchment Paper
Cleaning Supplies
- Dish Soap
- Thieves Oil Cleaning Concentrate
- Soft Scrub
- White Vinegar
- Paper Towels
- Scrubby Sponges
- Magic Erasers
- Scrub Brush
Toiletry Closet contents:
- Face Wash
- Shower Gel
- Bar Soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Shaving Cream
- Razor Blades
- Bath Salts
- Leave-in Conditioner
- Face Cream
- Deodorant
- Cornstarch Baby Powder
- Foot Cream
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Coconut Oil
- Face Tissues
- Toilet Paper
- Feminine Pads
- Tampons
- Baby Diapers
- Tearless Baby Wash Gel
- Baby Wipes
- Thieves Concentrate
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Cleaner
- Septic System Microbes
Medicine Cabinet contents:
- Tylenol
- Baby Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Low Dose Aspirin
- Benadryl
- DayQuil
- NyQuil
- Lemon Menthol Cough Drops
- Sport Cream
- Tums
- Arnica Cream
- Garlic Oil Gel Caps
- Probiotics
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Multivitamin Supplements
- Essential Oils
- Herb Supplements
- High Potency Turmeric
- Triple Antibiotic Cream
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Ace bandages
- Band-Aids
- Gauze
- White Tape
- Epsom Salt
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Betadine Solution
- Saline Solution
- Thermometers
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