Time to clear out the pantry friends! Out of date spices, foodstuff, things you don’t like, won’t use – time for it all to go!
So how do we decide what stays and what goes?
This category could be a simple one if you choose as you can rely on use by and best before dates to get you started.
If you need some further assistance to make decisions though, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions and give yourself a limit. If you are new to the challenge, you can see our Week 1 post here.
CSIRO also have some very helpful information about shelf life of perishable food and food storage tips as you work through this week’s challenge.
Put everything aside that no longer has a purpose (or you will honestly never use) or is out of date.
What do I do with the keepers?
They definitely all need homes, and ones that minimise the chance for damage and enable them to be accessed easily and safely when they are needed. You also need to work within the physical limits of your allocated pantry space. If you can’t fit everything, you need to go back and review and make some further decisions. We don’t want anything homeless or of no use in our homes!
What do I do with the ones that no longer have a purpose for me?
If foodstuff is still in good condition and in date, you can also consider some of these donate or swap options.
- Swap with or gift to your friends or family.
- Pass forward in your community through your local “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook.
- Donate to local charity pantry or food bank such as the following ones in Canberra:
- Communities at Work Community Pantries in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin
- St John’s Care in Reid
- UnitingCare Kippax
- Lanyon Pantry in Tuggeranong
- Canberra City Care in Charnwood
How did you go? Feel free to share your successes, challenges and tips on our Facebook page.
Happy decluttering!
Melissa x