[cherry]

I have a big problem with storage...no room.....I don't want it all over the house...I want it in one place but its very difficult to get everything that I want organized.

I'be decided I've got to move away from so many can goods to dry goods...more beans, more pasta, barley etc....rice...they seem to store alot more compactly...

[davius]

Try haunting your local bakery or grocery deli for 5 gallon plastic buckets with lids. They stack nicely and you can organize beans, grains, flour, and sugar easily. Put a couple of bay leaves in each container (except sugar) to discourage insects. If space is a pressing issue, put a board on top of 6 or 8 filled tubs and call it a table.

Remember, the first rule of Food Club is that nobody talks about Food Club.

[Jane Long]

Don't forget the space under beds. Rolling, under-bed containers are helpful, as well.

FReeper ChocChipCookie (?) also suggests storing (dried goods) rice, beans, etc. in (clean) soda or water jugs with oxygen absorbers. Then place them into cardboard boxes to protect from light (for closets, pantry's, etc.)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

dry goods...more beans, more pasta, barley etc....rice...they seem to store alot more compactly...

I store 5lb bags of rice in vac sealed Mylar and then put them in 5 gallon buckets...the ones with the rubber o-ring. You can fit 5 of them per bucket. They stack nice, are mouse and moisture proof (mostly) and are fairly compact for what they hold.

I do the same for beans, lentils and dried peas and such...except in 1lb. bags.

[ChocChipCookie]

Cherry, you’re on the right track. Dry goods (ingredients) can be used to make a multitude of recipes while there’s only so much you can do with a can of soup or ravioli. Dry goods will have a much longer shelf life.

And, storing food in multiple locations in your home isn’t a bad thing. If someone were to try and steal your food, it would take a lot longer to track it all down, if they even could.

[Veggie Todd]

I don't want it all over the house...I want it in one place but its very difficult to get everything that I want organized.

So let's say you put it all in one place and something happens to that portion of the house. Now you've lost everything. Better to spread it around the house.