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Wondering How To Stock A Pantry For The First Time?

You may think it’s just kids that have moved out of their parents house that need to know how to stock a pantry for the first time, but actually many people would not be prepared if disaster struck at this moment. Whether it’s an earthquake, job loss, or the possibility of a nationwide quarantine, you need to be prepared to protect and feed your family and even your neighbors of needed.

Whether you’re worried about current events, just moved, or are trying to create a general stock of necessities, you may need to know how to stock a pantry for the first time. What do you buy? Where do you buy it? How do I afford it? These may be a few of your first questions, and they are GOOD questions.

We have always tried to have a general supply on hand so we aren’t always needing to go shopping for everything needed for every single meal. But with the rise of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have gathered several more necessities over the last few weeks. When learning how to stock a pantry for the first time, you should think about what you and your family eat on a regular basis, what items will keep for moths, if not years, and what items go well together to make wholesome meals.

When someone thinks about stocking up, some of the first things that come to mind are: rice, beans, and pasta. But many people I’e talked to haven’t through farther. What are you going to pair with these items? Did you also stock up on pasta sauces, chicken stock, meats, and frozen/canned veggies? A pantry also does not need to be just food items. You need to be sure that you have diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food for any children that need them, pads & tampons, toilet paper, prescriptions, and more.

Look below for a detailed list of how to stock a pantry for the first time, with plenty of items you should keep on hand, as well as some of the things I realized we didn’t need after all!

How To Stock A Pantry For The First Time In Advance

How Do I Afford It?

Buy In Bulk:

This is a very real problem, and can be tough to swing spending hundreds of dollars to build up a stock. But it doesn’t need to be that way! Try buying in bulk through stores like Cash & Carry, Costco, and online. If you buy in large enough quantities, reach out to friends and family to see if anyone would like to go halves on large amounts of food.

You can even take buying in bulk a step farther. My parents and I have started buying whole cows and pigs, letting a farmer raise them humanly, and dividing the meat and cost between us. By doing this, we each have an entire deep freezer full of every kind of meat possible. I also buy chicken in bulk from websites like Perdue Farms. They often run specials when you buy in bulk, and they come in perfectly portioned packages.

Low Cost & “Last Chance” Stores:

Grocery Outlet is my favorite store for buying low cost food and snacks! Often, their items come from stores that have a major overstock, or are items that didn’t sell well- so their prices are incredibly low! I stocked up on bags of beans for $0.50 each, pasta that was 3/$1.00, 12 packs of tomato sauce for $0.50 a box, juice boxes, granola bars and more! You can save so much money, and really stock your pantry with just a trip or two to your local store like Grocery Outlet.

Other outlets and last chance stores like Franz Bakery Outlet, Aldi, WinCo, and Salvage Grocery Outlets are perfect for stocking up a new pantry. Just be careful to check expiration dates before you buy, because some things that are very cheap may be close to expiration, or even already expired if they didn’t catch it. But no fear, more often than not, you have several months or years of life left.

Grow Your Own Food:

I just made a trip to my local Dollar Tree, and they had 12 packs of biodegradable planter pots and seed packets that were 4/$1.00! So this week, I will be planting these seeds and getting them ready to be able to plant vegetable and fruit starts over the spring and summer. These will be perfect for fresh food, and if you grow enough, you can even can or freeze them for the winter months, and years down the road!

 

How To Stock A Pantry For The First Time:

Remember, you should have about a 30 day supply of these items. If there is a moment of panic in grocery stores, you should not need 100 rolls of toilet paper! Obviously 30 day supply will look different for someone living alone vs. a family of 4 vs. a household with 12 people. Do what works for you, but please do not hoard these supplies in the midst of panic!

What Food Items Should I Stock Up On?

Pantry Basics:

• Potatoes- Russet, Red, and Golden
• Onions- Yellow, White, and Red
• Garlic
• Seasonings such as Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Cinnamon, and other favorites
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta- spaghetti, macaroni, and other favorites
• Rice- both regular and minute rice
• Dried or Canned Beans
• Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable Broths
• Canned Meats- Chicken, Tuna, SPAM, etc.
• Canned Vegetables and Fruits- think tomatoes, peas, corn, fruit cocktails, applesauce, etc.
• Dry Milk
• Syrup, Honey, Agave, and any other Sweeteners

Baking Basics:

• Flour
• Sugar- White & Brown
• Instant Yeast
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Cornstarch
• Chocolate Chips
• Cocoa Powder

Drinks:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Few Gallons Water or Water Bottles
• Soda/Sparkling Water
• Cocktail Mixers

Snacks & Comfort Food:

• Crackers/Pretzels
• Cookies/Biscuits/Candies
• Popcorn
• Chips
• Dried Fruits and Nuts

Condiments:

• Mayonaise
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Pickles
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Soy Sauce/Fish Sauce
• Worcestershire Sauce/Hot Sauces

Refrigerated Foods:

• Milk (Get the farthest expiration date possible)
• Half & Half or Creamer
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Butter
• Parsley or Cilantro (use fresh, and then you can freeze later if needed)
• Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Cabbage (use fresh, and then you can freeze later if needed)
• Lemons, Limes, Oranges, and Apples

Freezer Foods:

• Meats- Ground Beef, Roasts, Chicken, Bacon, other Proteins
• Vegetables- Peas & Carrots, Corn, Chopped Spinach, etc.
• Fruits- Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches, etc.
• Condensed Fruit Juices
• A Few Favorite Frozen Meals- Burritos, Pizzas, etc.
• Ice Cream

What Non-Food Pantry Items Should I stock Up On?

Paper Products:

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Facial Tissues
• Paper Plates, Bowls, Cups, Napkins, and Cutlery

Hygiene Products:

• Pads & Tampons
• Diapers & Wipes
• Condoms/Birth Control
• Hand Soap
• Hand Sanitizer
• Body Wash/Shampoo/Conditioner

Household Products:

• Garbage Bags
• Laundry Soap
• Dishwasher Soap
• Disinfectant Spray/Wipes

Pet Items:

• Food For All Pets
• Cat Litter
• Any Pet Medications/Treatments
• Treats
• New Toys