Why does it matter if the pantry is organized?

What do you have hidden in the back of your pantry? Let’s see it! I’ll start with this jar of chutney that I’ve had for years; I have a great salad recipe that requires chutney for the dressing…but, um, I can’t even remember the last time I made it!

Things don’t get hidden for years in an organized pantry. You know what you have so you SAVE MONEY by not buying stuff you already have. You SAVE TIME by not digging around searching for stuff. There’s also LESS STRESS because having an organized space gives you a sense of peace.

Here’s a simple approach to cleaning out the pantry: Start by pulling everything out. Throw away food that is either stale or expired. If you know something won’t be eaten, either toss it or donate it to a food pantry if appropriate (not so much with chutney). Clean the shelves before organizing what’s left, typically placing items by category and frequency of use. Some food might be better in re-sealable containers. Need some assistance? I think I know someone who can help!