We know, we know, August just started. But the thing is, we don’t know where the time goes, and next it’s going to be September, then Halloween, then it’s the holidays, then the New Year and the point is, winter is coming. And if you live somewhere where the weather is unpredictable this could mean winter weather could be here as early as October or as late as next April, but an important takeaway from this is that your pantry should be ready for whatever weather may be coming your way Besides, the last thing you want to deal with in the middle of crazy winter storms is the lack of food in the house. (Then everyone is in a bad mood and you could be just days away from a very uncomfortable conversation.) We’re here to help! Here are some tips for getting your pantry and/or kitchen winter ready.
First things first, take inventory. Toss the stuff that isn’t good anymore and anything you know you won’t eat, then get to planning before you hit the store. Consider how much space you have and how you plan on storing everything.
If you can food or make jams or even pie filling, start stocking up now. Turn the next few month’s worths of garden abundance into food that will provide to you during a time of need. Plus, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a piping hot pie made with your famous apple pie filling during a snowstorm?
One of the downfalls of storing food is knowing there is a good chance that rodents could get into it and devour a good portion of it before you even get to it. (This is especially frustrating during awful winter weather!) Make sure you’re storing food in a way where nobody can get to it but you. Keep your pantry dark, cool, and dry to ensure your pantry foods are staying fresher longer. This way, you don’t have to sacrifice taste when the time comes.
Pantry items we always make sure to have on hand for the winter include broth, pasta, sauces, soups, rice, dry goods, and snacks. Trust us, future you will be so glad present you did this when getting out on the roads is a threat to your safety. Don’t forget to stock up on items you may need if you lose power such as matches, extra candles, extra batteries, flashlights, and bottled water.