There is an abundant source for organization ideas in storing food and supplies at your home. The majority of modern homes invest in stocking food and supplies because of its multiple benefits. First, it can save our family during economic inflation. Since we don't produce our food, homes can have some food stock even if the market crashes the following day. Second, food piles can save us from disasters. We experience floods, storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, oil spills, and other natural and artificial calamities each year. This phenomenon can make us stranded inside our homes for weeks or even months. If we have food and supplies stored inside our homes, at least we can survive. Proper care must be observed in storing food and other supplies to make it safe for consumption. Some foods need not be refrigerated and stored in other parts of the house, such as the pantry. Meanwhile, survival products are stored in the garage. Here are some of the organization ideas in storing food and supplies to be used during emergencies:
Top six organization ideas of food in the pantry
Our body needs food and water to live. Humans can live for three weeks without food and two days without water, according to
Business Insider. These items are essential for survival; thus, families invest time and money to buy everything they need. We store them in the pantry to make them perishable and safe. A pantry is a part of the house used to store food, beverage, and other items. It is an ancillary of the kitchen. People store their food in the pantry because they don't want to expose their supplies to other people who visit their houses. In addition, the pantry can keep food supplies safe, especially from insects and pests. According to Urban Survival Site, storing food at your house is a methodological and lifelong process, and it does not happen overnight. It is not proper to buy all the groceries, store them, and allow them to spoil. Pantry maintenance is a routine, and it must be learned by all members of the family. Generally, in choosing organizational ideas for the pantry, one must ensure that the place is airy and has good ventilation. It is not directly with the sunlight. The temperature is controlled, pest-free, and dry. In addition, choose foods your family will eat and avoid food that is not allowed on your diet. Always check if it can last up at least three days as well. Some of the food that must be stored for emergencies are the following:
- Cereals
- Peanut butter
- Power bars, granola bars
- Dried fruits
- Canned tuna
- Canned soup
- Bottled water
- Sugar, salt, and pepper
- Powdered drinks such as milk, coffee, and chocolate
Here are some of the organization ideas in the pantry and make the supplies last longer:
Use shelves
The first thing to do is to use shelves for your pantry. Some of the shelves of modern homes are made of metal and coated with paint to resist rust and corrosion. According to the Ultimate Survival Site, avoid buying wooden or plastic shelves because they don't offer the same strength, unlike metal
. Some shelves can be installed on walls and freestanding shelves, and you can opt for these products. You can also choose cabinets or products with pull-out drawers for your pantry. Furthermore, there are tiered shelves for a more organized pile. If you're on a budget, you can do your DIY shelves. There are plenty of resources on the internet, as one by The
Craft Patch. Shelves will protect your stack food from water on the ground, especially when it floods. It is easy to determine as well what are the food supplies you have when it is stacked on shelves. If you don't have a pantry, you can build one. Start by installing a shelf in your kitchen and cover it with clean curtains. You can also store food items in cabinets in the kitchen or under the stairs but make sure they are not pestered with pests.
Invest in Containers
Invest in containers, boxes, and shelves. Remove the food items such as nuts, cereals, oatmeals, and grains from their boxes and place them instead on mason jars.
Mason jars are airtight, and they can prevent spoilage of the food. Moreover, these jars are stylish, and they can help you locate items quickly in your pantry. As much as possible, avoid using plastic ware in your food because it might react with it. The next tip is to use boxes, baskets, or slim bins. The idea is to sort and store the food by category. Group food items such as coffee, chocolate, and milk powder together and put them in the box. According to Country Living, you can also use old magazine trays/ holders to organize your pantry. Place the utensils such as fork, spoon, plate, cup, and napkin on trays or baskets. According to
The Kitchn, you can also use sheet pans to group the jars or bottles of food items.
Use unconventional items
Another tip is to use unconventional items to maximize the space of your pantry. You can do this by using a shoe organizer, hanger, or caddies to store snacks and small food items. Hang some snacks or chips at the back of the door, side of the shelves, or the walls. Try to store spices such as salt, pepper, sugar, and cinnamon in the corner of the shelves. Stock the water containers on one side and make sure the floor is clean. Place the canned goods in wire bins, and you can hide them under or beside the shelves. Install a kitchen turntable or 'lazy Susans' on your pantry for easy access to the goods.
Label every food item
In organizing food items, make sure that you label everything properly. Label the mason jars with water-based markers, and don't forget the expiration date so you'll be guided properly. Write on a post-it pad or sticky notes the category of food items. Lastly, write on a paper or chalkboard and have it posted on the wall or at the door the available stocks you have in your pantry. Put as well the things you need to buy or stocks that need to be replenished.
Check and replenish food items regularly.
Apart from grouping the food items in your pantry, it is also advisable to clean and check them regularly. This will notify you if some of the groceries are expired or near their expiration date. If the goods are nearing expiration, you can consume them and replace them with fresh supplies. Expired goods are not good for the body, and they might cause problems soon. Check if the groceries have leaks, stains, spots, or other problems—separate those items with problems to avoid affecting other products. Put heavy groceries such as water bottles on the last shelves. This will prevent an accident in the pantry. Also, ensure that you don't place food items on the last shelf near the floor to prevent pests such as rats and cockroaches.
Store perishable items in the fridge
There are food items that need to be stored in the fridge to stay longer. Some of those are flour, nuts, spices, and seeds. You can place the fridge near the pantry and the kitchen to be easily accessible when needed. Apply storage organization inside the fridge. Label all the products put them in mason jars or plastic wares, and secure them tightly. Always remember not to store sensitive foods such as eggs, butter, and chocolate in the pantry.
Top five organization ideas of emergency supplies in the garage
Apart from
food items, it is also essential to store non-food products at your home for organization ideas for emergencies. This includes flashlights, medicines, candles, matches, lighter, ropes, knives, batteries, napkins, soap, and others. One part of the house which is considered the perfect spot for non-food item storage is the garage. The garage is a part of the house used to park automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. Although the garage has the same roof as the house, there is a garage separate from the main building. It has a wide space for storing other things like emergency supplies. The garage must be accessible. There's no point in storing emergency items when it is hard to reach. To avoid mixing things in the garage, people would organize them into different categories. Here are some of the tips on how to do it effectively:
Store emergency items in the crush and water-resistant container
Emergency items such as flashlights, first aid kits, candles, and other tools must be stored in the crush and water-resistant containers. It must resist breaking and falling to the ground so it can protect the items inside. Also, it must be able to resist damage from the water, such as floods. One can opt to use transparent plastic containers to store emergency items. These containers are generally weather-resistant and can protect the items from pests. Make sure that the containers have tight covers that can prevent water spills. Put the containers on boxes, trays, shelves, or cabinets.
Make sure that it is easily accessible.
The next tip is to make sure that the emergency items are easily accessible. If you put it in containers, cabinets, or shelves, always see that it is not locked. On the other hand, if you are worried that someone might rob your supplies, then lock them safely. However, let your family members know where to find the keys. You can also put the emergency boxes near the exit, the doorway, or beside the door. Don't put it in high places that need a ladder before you can reach it. In times of emergency, supplies must be easily accessible, and it must not cause you so much time to get one.
Choose items that can operate without power or with batteries only
In packing for emergency items, choose products that can operate without power or with minimal power only. Examples of these are a flashlight with batteries, candles, a first aid kit, and others. Sometimes, there are days or weeks of power outages; thus, you need to be prepared. New batteries usually last up to 12 months or more. Check your supplies and replace old batteries. If you use solar-powered batteries or a flashlight, make sure that it is adequately charged. Always make sure that your power bank or any communication gadgets are fully charged always because you'll never know when disaster will strike.
Label items
Next, make sure that the emergency items are properly labeled. You can use post-it notes, sticky pads, or chalkboards. Hang this on the cover of the kits so that you'll be notified of the items included. Sticky notes can be placed on the cover of the plastic containers. Check the items' condition and note it on the chalkboard or the paper if it needs replacing or replenishment.
Group items accordingly
Lastly, you can also color code the containers with the emergency items. Group them accordingly like basic, miscellaneous, clothes, and hygiene. If the emergency supplies are properly labeled, there's no need to panic because you know that you are properly equipped. Some of the basic items are food and beverage. Examples of miscellaneous are cards and important documents. Meanwhile, the hygienic products to pack are toothpaste, soap, shampoo, comb, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
Conclusion
In sum, disasters can happen anytime, and they can affect you and your families in things that you haven't even thought of. It can destroy your properties, and it can even kill lives. However, according to the Red Cross, social and psychological consequences are longer impacts of disasters. This is what most families are trying to prevent to happen. Preparation must not be stressful, and you need the proper equipment, organization ideas, and the proper training. Start with storing food and emergency kits inside your home. Store it properly in the pantry or the garage. Check that it is safe for consumption or usage and replenish it regularly. Educate all the members of your family about the location of the emergency kits. When you're family is prepared, recovery will be easier for you.
