Tips & Tricks for Planning & Building a Year Long Pantry

Are you ready to take control of your kitchen and ensure you’re prepared for anything the year throws your way? In "Planning & Building a Year-Long Pantry: Tips & Tricks," we dive deep into the essential strategies for stocking a pantry that lasts 12 months. Whether you're prepping for emergencies, looking to save money, or simply want to streamline your meal planning, this video is packed with expert advice on selecting the right staples, organizing your space efficiently, and maximizing shelf life. Join us as we share practical tips, smart storage solutions, and must-have items that will transform your pantry into a reliable, year-round resource. Don't miss out on creating a resilient and well-stocked kitchen—watch now and start building your ultimate pantry today!

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[ginco]

I started years ago when we were struggling financially with 3 small kids. I strictly purchased the sale items from the store ad and clipped coupons. I made menus for the week from the loss leaders BUT I bought enough for 2 dinners and stocked the 2nd dinner. In 6 months we didn't have to deal with skimpy meals, meals with missing ingredients, etc. My pantry was finally able to round out meals and now it's at least a years worth in my storage.

[MissouriPrepper]

I love putting pie filling in my oatmeal! It just takes it to a whole new level and pie filling is shelfstable! Two worlds collide when you have oats and pie filling!

[barefootgourmet]

I just started canning 1/5/25 after doing months of research and I've canned 32 jars of food thus far on my days off from work. I've already planned out what I'm canning tomorrow and I can't wait! ❤

[danielmacneal]

Long comment... because you asked!
Last year we sat down with our big stack of recipes and took the calendar down off the wall. We started filling in dates with meals and when we were done we had 13 weeks of supper with no repeats, except for two or three nights of our absolute favorites that we really *wanted* to repeat.
Next, we made a list of all the ingredients in our stack of recipes. Yes, this part was easy. And yes, this part was *very* time consuming. We did it in small chunks over the span of a month or two.
Now, we have a meal plan that we repeat (more or less) 4 times a year and a bill of goods that we stock the pantry from.
We don't get bored, we don't get fatigued, and we never have to ask the dreaded "What's for..." question.
We also don't treat the plan as a law. When we want to do something different, we just do. We're old; we're allowed. 😂

[do-it-yourself-skills]

I started stocking my pantry when I got my first tiny apartment in the late 70s by buying 2 or 3 each of the stuff I used and bought during sales. Today, I keep about a year's worth of food stocked and only shop once a month. I cook just about everything from scratch and most of what I stock up on are very versatile ingredients. I never menu plan and cook whatever I feel like eating - because I always have all the ingredients on hand.

[debbiemaxwellallen]

I love that you normalize preparedness without panic. I think my food storage could keep us a couple of months so far, but I have a few holes to fill in. Thanks for the kick in the pants!

[LindaEdwards-xn]

Ms. Leisa! I have to tell you a story! My step daughter taught me how to make and can jelly. Before that I hadnt thought about canning. Then I found you while looking up a recipe and have followed you since. Thats been about a year ago and I have learnt so much from you! I've canned everything from all kinds of meats and vegetables and my new husband of 2 years has gotten on board with the pantry preparedness and we have gathered so much that we have cleared out a spare bedroom and this next weekend, he will be building shelves from 2×4's that will go all around the room! We are both 68 and he was my high school sweetheart and 2 years ago i moved from Oklahoma to Mississippi to marry him and thought I wouldn't have to worry any winter weather anymore! Low and behold, yesterday Mississippi got 6 inches of snow in an unprecedented event! And we DID NOT have to worry with last shopping because we have everything we need !! We're just sitting here today watching the sun slowly melt the snow and LOVING our preparedness!! And its all due to you! I wish I'd done this when my kuds where young! You can bet, I'm pushing them to start doing the same also! Thank you so much!!

[blackrock]

I’m in the process of closing my small business with my husband. We have owned it for ten years and it’s just not worth signing another 3 year lease. We are in the process of getting guardianship of our disabled 5 year old grandson. I won’t be able to work (maybe from home) my husband will have to find a job. I’m not worried about what we are going to eat because you’ve taught me how to build my pantry. Thank you so much!

[mariacampbell]

After a hurricane, there was a woman standing on the side of the road. The news crews were there and they were interviewing the governor and this woman. She looked at the governor and said "When is the government going to bring me some food. I'm hungry." They fed her once on camera with a sandwich. One time she had food.. Our pantries should feed us 24/7. Good video. I've been working on deepening and broadening my pantry for us and the animals.

[janicepritchard]

I'm on a low income, had flu and too poor to go out but I've been grateful of stocked cupboards after following your enthusiasm in your videos! Thank you Leesa ❤

[karenbachar]

Ate ramen for a month once (and I really understand about food fatigue...) so am happily setting up my first pantry - glad to have found prepping and your channel - also you have the best comments section ever !!! Learning from all of you.❤

[barbarawinter]

You are never too old to start a well stocked pantry. I grow a garden and can/freeze/preserve/eat fresh all of produce. I learned as a child from my mother had to can, cook, bake and enjoy it all. So far in Canuary my family have eaten mainly from our pantry/freezer but I have learned many new recipes from the contributors to the Canuary pantry challenge that I will be trying that will expand our meals into the future.

[natasha_]

I just want to say thank you for all the knowledge you provide. I live in Panama City FL and we got snow yesterday, 5” of snow! We lost power last night and it’s still out. Because of your videos I had bought a Coleman stove and have diversity with all that I have canned. It is because of you my family can enjoy warm meals! Also, coffee, I had2 cups of coffee because I bought a pour over coffee filter. Despite the cold, we have comfort. Thank you

[Aradia]

Grab a cuppa, this is a long one. I used to be the person who had just enough food etc to get through the fortnight.

The prepper channels were going off in early 2020 about this unknown illness, saying grow a garden. My child is prone to respiratory illnesses so over a few weekends in February I had filled my tiny pantry plus my tiny freezer and brought PPE from the hardware store which was in short supply. I thought worst case scenario we'd eat though it all in the coming months. i tried to fill a Ventolin/Flixotide prescription which was extremely difficult as people were stocking up even if they didn't have asthma. We were blessed and secured the last Ventolin in my city. 2 days before lockdown I ordered my usual 1 years toilet paper which was only honoured because I was a pre-existing customer. This was the time Australia made international news for a punch up at the supermarkets over loo paper.

In March Australia went into lockdown and because I'd prepared as best as new prepper could we didn't have to leave the house for a month. It wasn't until I returned to the grocery store to maintain our food levels that I noticed only the expensive food was available and there was limited fresh produce. I was forever thankful I listened to the preppers. Having a stocked pantry does takes some pressure off this solo parent.

Over the last 4 years, I have upgraded my freezers as my budget allows... Got creative about where I store my extended pantry and supplies plus have a thriving courtyard garden. Yep, I have limited space to work with. I've learnt to be a savvy shopper and my sister has admitted she wished she had done what I had done cause I beat the big inflation hike if 2022. In our family we say things once or over conversation so we don't push our ideas onto each other.

I will never go back to having just enough - having an extended pantry has come in very handy on tight budget months or when we are sick. I am still learning, just this week we ran out of milk cause I can't find one without Bovaer in it. We are also having to adjust our supplies as our preferences and lifestyle changes.

Honestly, give it a go ... start where you are ... bit by bit it adds up....

[paaitje]

I started years ago with buying more than I needed for one meal, but it stayed with that. About a year and a half ago, I purchased myself a pressure canner and have been canning ever since. First, just a little, because I wasn't familiar with the process yet. But after that, in the last half year or so, I shifted my priorities and am now mainly funding canning and other prepping projects. Thank you for being a source of good advice and motivation in my journey!

[debbywelchel]

I live in the country I learned through snowstorms about stocking up. Ready to stay at home for a long time. Thanks Leisa. Stay warm be safe.

[SarahS]

I’ve been working on mine for a little while-still need canned meats, but I use the things I have. My 24 yr old granddaughter thinks I’m crazy for buying extra things beyond tonight’s dinner. I tell her I stock up to have a variety available. I’ve done the whole 2 weeks menu when my kids were little. Now I could live off left overs! So I’ll look through my pantry for something that sounds good that night. Have not had the whole weather, job loss etc conversation with her yet. She hasn’t experienced those things yet to really understand. Thank you for the video!

[makalapuamegs]

Your advice on mixing it up with staples made me think of my nomadic days living out of a 72 square foot van turned RV! Bought tortillas instead of bread and have made “tacos” out of canned meats (😂 Spam included) fish and veggies all of which would last off grid in the wilderness for 14+ days! Dried fruit and oats kept my stomach full! Powdered electrolytes kept me hydrated when added to my water filtered by a Berkey! Multiple use for everything owned and my motto was if you buy something you need to get rid of something to save room! This included food! Spices can literally spice up any meal!

[jer]

I stated stocking up on food when my husband went back to school at 48yr old. There was a group calld the grocery game. The main thing i got out of it was NEVER stock up on a staple at regular price. Only when its on sale. The group watched store sales and realized they rotated items about every 3 to 5 weeks. They also matched manufacturers coupons with sale items. They put out a list every week showing the current sale but would indicate if it normally ( in a nother week or so) be on sale at a lower percentage. It changed how i shop.

[nancywest]

Now that ive stopped giggling about fuzzy watermelon...it wasnt something in my own prepping, but seeing how many apartment dwellers, such as myself, are discouraged by some channels due to space. It's been a learning curve here, but its doable. Ive learned to do what others here do as well and encourage folks that are just starting out and feel overwhelmed.