Food Storage Organizer

The best food storage organizer is a list of everything you have and where it is. But, the trick to achieving that is to make sure that you know what you have.  Going through your pantry and kitchen isn't enough.  You should start out with a plan.

Get a notebook or paper. A set of labels and a set of containers that will allow you to put everything where it belongs. 

check out the shelve space plan that you have. You don't want to buy the super deluxe 50 pound flour storage container only to discover that you don't have the room to put in your pantry.

Plan on a variety of different sized food storage containers.  a 16 quart storage container might be perfect for storing packages of ramen but it won't really work for spaghetti noodles.  

Tupperware ModularMates Holds 5 pounds of potatoes

There are different approaches to the ideal food storage organizer but I tend toward the modular approach.  The containers you choose to organize your pantry and kitchen with should stack or fit in different configurations.

Tupperware ModularMates             Tupperware ModularMates

Clear plastic and labels make it easy to see and know what is in all your food storage containers and make it easy to stay organized

Be sure to put heavy items on the bottom of your shelves and smaller items towards the top.

Don't put items that you need to access frequently where it will be inconvenient to get to them.  For example, if you make coffee everyday put the coffee, filters and condiments all in one location close to the coffee pot. 

Be sure to label foods that expire with expiration dates.  A good idea if you are going to remove items from the original packaging is to cut the serving size and nutrition information panel from the package and store it with the food items in your storage container.

You can also create a notebook with a collection of all your favorite foods nutrition panel information and preparation instructions. Put your notebook in with your cookbooks.

Keep foods and food containers off the floor and remember to keep food storage areas cool, dry, and dark.

Don't overcrowd your shelves and drawers.  Overcrowding makes it harder to find things that you are looking for.

Place taller items toward the back of the shelve and shorter or smaller items closer to the front where you can see them easily.

Consider getting a Lazy Susan if you have a corner cupboard or a shelf with the room.  This makes it easy to get to items regardless of where they are.