DealDash Looks at the Pantry

Having a fully stocked pantry is one of those simple joys in life. No matter what storm rages on outside you will have all of the essentials.

How fully stocked is your pantry? Do you feel confident that you and your family could survive for a few weeks on just the products in the pantry if you needed to?

Even if you don’t live in an area of the country that’s prone to natural disasters, it’s a smart idea to keep a fully stocked pantry for big emergencies as well as other unforeseen events such as illness or job loss. Having a fully stocked pantry also means that you’ll be well-equipped to put together a family-friendly meal or a last-minute dinner for friends. Let DealDash take a look at your pantry and see if you’re fully stocked.

Canned Goods

Canned goods are the cornerstone of a stocked pantry.  It’s important to have some basic staples on hand as well as some well-loved favorite items. Here is a quick list of some canned goods that you should think about incorporating into your pantry.

• Chicken broth
• Beans: cannellini, navy, chickpeas or black
• Vegetables: corn, green beans, spinach
• Salsa
• Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Spaghetti sauce
• Tuna
• Comfort meals such as ravioli, spaghetti o’s, and pre-cooked pasta
• Soups of all types – chicken noodle, clam chowder, beef vegetable
• Baby food (if applicable)

Dry Goods

Having large bags and boxes of dry goods is important to have because you can make many different meals with these same ingredients when you incorporate other items that you have in cans or in the fridge.

• Rice
• Pasta – spaghetti, egg noodles, spiral, penne
• Oatmeal
• Mac n’ cheese
• Cereal

Snacks and Treats

If your planning for a party or living out of your pantry due to necessity it’s important to have some snacks and treats available. Tortilla chips might be important for a party, but peanut butter crackers might make the difference between having a filling lunch or still being hungry. Stock your pantry accordingly.

• Saltine crackers
• Tortilla chips
• Cheese/peanut butter crackers
• Pretzels
• Goldfish crackers
• Popcorn
• Raisins
• Peanut butter
• Fruit cups
• Applesauce

Paper Products

While paper and cleaning products aren’t quite as important as food they do serve a very important purpose. Here are the paper and cleaning products you should keep stocked.

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Tissues
• Napkins
• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Dishwashing detergent
• Hand soap
• Diapers and wipes (if applicable)