Declutter It!

How to Organize a Snack Pantry

by Julie on November 5th, 2007

It’s amazing what can get lost in the pantry. It’s also amazing how much food goes to waste when the pantry is not organized. Food always ends up getting pushed to the back and forgotten. The kids may also throw that box of crackers back in there and forget to close up the package. That’s money down the drain when half the box-of-crackers go stale.

Some kitchens have more than one pantry. If you do, then one of them may be your snack pantry which holds all the chips, crackers, drinks, peanut butter and fruit snacks. Everyone’s snack pantry will hold different types of snacks and items, but no matter what yours holds, it can be organized.

Follow these steps on how to organize a snack pantry and put an end to wasted food:

Step one:

Sort through all the items in the pantry.

Empty the contents of the pantry one shelf at a time. Group all like items together and throw away anything that has gone bad. You can do this whole process on the kitchen floor.

More pictures and steps below the cut.

Step two:

Clean out the pantry.

Pantries are great at collecting dust and food crumbs. Wipe down all the shelves first and then sweep out the bottom. You will want your new organized to pantry to start off nice and clean.

Step three:

Take a look at your inventory and decide if any pantry storage needs to be purchased.

If you would like a uniform look to the inside of your pantry, then you may want to store several items in matching containers. You can buy inexpensive storage containers that will look great and will also help your food to last longer.

You may also want to purchase storage bins for smaller items and also to keep similar items grouped together.

Don’t forget to measure the height and depth of your shelves so that the storage items you purchase will fit. Bring the measurements to the store with you and measure the containers also.

Step four:

Decide where everything is going to go.

Items that are not used everyday or that are very light weight like bags of chips can go up on the top shelf.

Store snack items that you want your kids to be able to get themselves on a shelf where they can reach it.

The bottom of the pantry can be used to store heavy items like coke bottles or gallons of water.

Step five:

Fill the storage containers you purchased.

You can put crackers and cereal into a sealed containers so they will stay fresher longer. Remind those in your family that putting the lid back on when they are done is important. If they don’t, they may have to eat stale cereal! Yuck.

Fill the rest of the containers and group like items together.

Step six:

Put everything back in the pantry on the designated shelf.

This is the fun part. Your pantry is starting to come together!

Step seven:

Label the shelves if you desire.

By labeling the shelves, family members will know where everything goes. They can put back what they got out of the pantry in the right spot. They can also help put up the groceries and they will know exactly where to put things.

Step eight:

Schedule regular weekly maintenance to keep your pantry organized.

In order for the pantry to stay organized, you will have to go through it on a weekly basis and tidy up a bit. Things may have been placed on the wrong shelf by accident, lids may not be on tightly or there may be some items that need to be thrown away.

Congratulations! You are done and you now have an organized snack pantry that the whole family can enjoy.

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POSTED IN: Closet & Clothes, Kitchen & Pantry, Storage