Heartland Carry AllianceNeighborly know-how for self-reliant families

Garden to Pantry: Simple Food Storage for Self-Reliant Families

Heartland Carry Alliance staff · 4 min read
Pantry shelves with home-canned jars

A well-stocked pantry saves money, cuts trips to the store and gives you peace of mind when the weather turns.

Store what you eat

Stock the foods your family already likes. A pantry full of things nobody eats isn't a pantry, it's clutter.

First in, first out

Put new cans at the back and use the oldest first.

Preserve the harvest

Canning, freezing and drying turn a good summer garden into winter meals. Follow tested recipes for safe canning.

Cool, dark and dry

Keep stored food away from heat and sunlight.

A two-week cushion

Aim for two weeks of meals for the household, including water.

Start small. Buy a few extra items each shopping trip and your pantry will grow quickly.