Pantry Possibilities and Storage
Tips for building a pantry
- Purchase extras of the items listed below when they are on sale.
- Choose canned and dry foods that have a long shelf life and can be stored safely for long periods of time.
- Stock up on foods your family likes best.
- Choose a variety of foods so you can put together a meal from what is in your pantry.
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Dry Milk
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Cornstarch
- Whole Wheat Pasta
- Brown Rice
- Dry Soup Mix
- Whole Grain Cereal
- Whole Grain Crackers
- Whole Grain Pancake Mix
- Whole Grain Bread
- Peanut Butter
- Sugar
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Soups
- Tomato Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- 100% Fruit or Vegetable Juice
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Lean Ground Meat
- Fish
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Whole Grain Bread
- Eggs
- Butter
- Cheese
- Condiments
- Oil
- Vinegar
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Chili Powder
- Dry Onions
- Garlic Powder
- Italian Seasoning
- Bouillon
Kitchen storage facts: How long will it last?
Nobody likes to throw out food, but sometimes it's the right thing to do because food can turn bad before it smells funny or looks strange. Foods maintain their quality, safety, and nutrients when they are stored properly used within a certain time. Here's how to get the most out of food dollars by storing your food properly.
Note: If you do not have a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer, you may want to purchase.
In the refrigerator
Keep temperature between 34°F and 40°F
Fresh foods (in original wrapping)
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Ground meat & poultry
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1-2 Days
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Meats and open lunch meat
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3-5 Days
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Unopened lunch meats
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2 Weeks
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Eggs (uncooked) in shell
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3-5 Weeks
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Leftovers (wrapped in plastic or in a covered container)
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Poultry covered with broth/gravy
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1-2 Days
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Cooked meat & poultry dishes
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3-4 Days
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Pizza
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3-4 Days
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Egg, tuna, macaroni, or potato salad
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3-5 Days
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In the freezer
Keep temperature below 0°F.
Freezer foods
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Cooked meat and meat dishes
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2-3 Months
|
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Fresh frozen hamburger or stew meat
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3-4 Months
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Fresh frozen pork roasts and chops
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4-6 Months
|
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Fresh frozen beef roasts, chops, and steaks
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6-12 Months
|
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Fresh frozen chicken or turkey pieces
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9 Months
|
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Fresh frozen whole chicken or turkey
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1 Year
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Frozen dinner or casseroles
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3-4 Months
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Note: These freezer time periods are for food quality rather than food safety.
Tips for safe dry storage
- Keep food away from heat-producing appliances, like ovens and at least 6 inches off the ground.
- Arrange older cans and packages in front for first use.
- Store opened food like pasta in dry, airtight containers
- Never store food near kitchen chemicals, cleaning products, or trash.
- Never use food from cans that are cracked, bulging, or leaking.
You may require