Organizing My Bulk Food Storage 

An issue I’ve had in my experience using those wire racks when I put squash like that on it I have to put cardboard down otherwise the wires indent on them and gradually kind of cut into them. 😊

Becky, you are a dynamo! You leave us all in the dust, girl! I love your sunny disposition, your can-do attitude, your energy and creativity. Congratulations on getting your play button, that was sweet to hear your husband saying how cool it is. You’re a rocketing RU-vid star!

I would highly recommend you mark your jars with what's in them, but more importantly, the date you freeze-dried or dehydrated it. That way, if in a few years, if it's not used, you can track how long the taste and dryness lasts. Also, for the longer term storage, an oxygen absorber or air vacuum, may be best, so you do waste all your hard work and expense in growing, harvesting and preparing the food for storage. You're a joy to watch!

My favorite way to store and keep canning rings is to hang them on a pants hanger (the kind designed to hang multiple pairs of pants, that have retractable "arms" are ideal for this). Just slide the rings on the arms then lock in place. It's tidy and super handy to hang on a kitchen cabinet handle and take whatever you need during a project.

You could store the rings, lids and pectin in the 5 gallon buckets as well. They would match the food storage you already have.

Awesome! I've done an extended pantry for 30+ years and the how to's of storing it is always evolving. I found a huge jar while thrifting years ago and I store my regular size rings in that, it just sits in the floor by the pantry door, the wide mouth rings I keep in a tall popcorn tin and it sits next to the jar, the over flow rings lives in my attic along with all my empty jars (pushing a couple thousand) I keep several empty jar boxes in a closet near the kitchen for when I have empty washed jars when the box is full I take it to the attic and bring down another empty one. The boxes of new lids (which are still very hard to find here) stay in a clear plastic container w/o lid on a pantry shelf near the door (ease of access). BTW you can get more dry goods in the glass jars if you rock the jar on the counter a few times while filling and, I use my canning funnel while filling them (less mess). I keep around six jars each of all the canned foods in my kitchen cabinets along with other frequently used items, the rest lives in my pantry room, when the kitchen cabinet is low I re-stock from the big pantry. I have found food lasts longer in glass and it keeps the bugs and mice out also (even store bought milk with last a week longer if transferred into glass verses plastic/cardboard). As for stacking jars on top of each other, I haven't had any problem with it in over 30 years of canning (Plus my grandmother did as well). It's also good to label everything with what it is and the date it expires, so you know how much longer it can be safely used, I also add the UPS label in the jars of dried goods and such in case of recalls. If it's going to be long term storage I drop in some oxygen absorbers or vacuum seal the jars. I try to store like items together and add newest stock to the back. Also, I have found food grade buckets the most at regular grocery stores that have a bakery, for free you just have to figure out what day they re-stock or ask if they can save them for you. I keep bay leaves in my flour, it helps with the bugs. I love seeing a well stocked pantry, it IS pretty. lol

What I really love about your channel is that you make us feel like anybody can do the things you do. I get tired just from watching you but your energy is contagious!

I learned (the hard way) to label all jars as they're filled, since powdered ingredients that are white, look the same. I use the label from the product, just in case there's a recall.

Fantastic job! It is so good to see someone starting to store food goods who is younger. Unfortunately, I still meet people my age and older who have no idea how or even why to stock a pantry or garden. You rock!

Omg the suspense!!!!!!!!!!! Cannot wait for this one! My goal for 2022 is 2 months without a grocery store so 2023 can be the YEAR!!!! 🤍💪🏾🤍💪🏾

You know this is your kinda channel when this IS a fun Friday night. I loved watching the organizing of everything. And your husband's enthusiasm from the hallway :)

The empty jars should go exactly where the full jars go. Use the contents, wash the jar and put it back onto the shelf!!

You are so inspiring and I really enjoy your videos! I’m looking forward to this one, especially. I have some advise about your home canning storage. Cover the windows and earthquake proof your shelves. Light and heat is bad for your home canned food. Foam board over the windows will insulate from the heat of the sun and keep the light out. And, it doesn’t look like the shelving is bolted to the wall. I live on the coast of WA, too. Although we don’t get them often, earthquakes do happen. Sliding a long thin board or slat the full width of the shelf between the front vertical supports and your jars will keep them from sliding off the shelf. A tension rod might work, too, but a board or slat will be more economical. You worked so hard and put so much time into growing and preserving your food. A few extra steps could avoid disaster.

Becky a little tip, when storing any squash such as spaghetti, butternut and even pumpkin, leave a bit of space between them, even a paper-thin space, because that spot where they touch will be where it starts to ripen/decay quickest. I hope that helps you keep your stores fresher longer, considering all the amazingly hard work you did♥️

Just a small tip since you have organic apple trees this winter you can do some searches on using apples as natural pectin. Once you see all the fruits that can be used for pectin you won't need to worry if boxes are not on the shelf because you can naturally jell your items. Blessings

I don't know how you can listen to a book, work on organizing, AND record a video, AND talk to your audience/viewers, all at once! You are an amazing multi-tasker!

Ring storage idea: Get the old fashioned plunger. Suction it to a wall or flat surface. Group rings by regular and wide mouth. If you suction it to the floor you can replace the short handle with a screw in broom handle for more storage. Fits great in a corner. And it does NOT fall over. Great channel. LOVE your energy level.

This thumb nail is adorable. Finally moving out the inner city to a town home next year. Hopefully I can start a smaller garden!

💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡 When double stacking jars, You can also screw on the bands on the jars loosely (like a half screw). The weight of the upper box sits on the threads of the lower jars and not on the lids.

What a woman. Chilled that hubby is out on a Friday night. And using her time to sort her home and run a RU-vid business while listening to an audi book and living green. Good on you

That looks amazing! But you're always so organized and methodical. Honestly, I'm glad you gave us a glimpse of the before, so that I (I mean we...) can see that we're not the only ones who get into a big mess during harvest and canning season. Thanks for taking us along on this journey!

Ahh your hubby is too cute! He is so excited for your accomplishments! That’s awesome! This stuff can be such a feat but feels so so good when it’s all done!!! Love it!

You never cease to amaze me. …at such a young age. You’re very mature. Your momma raised you right

You have got to be the hardest working young person I know. Your full-time job, your massive garden and all the work it entails, canning, freezing, and you still have time for family and friends. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 🥰🥰

Can’t wait to see this one!!! I can go almost a year without a grocery store now but I still panic that I’m forgetting something major that I should have in my long term and short term pantry storage. Teach me teach me!!!! 😆

It’s the best feeling looking at a space after organizing it. I swear it lowers blood pressure and extends your life. Well done!

Rings: I took a piece of strong string and tied a pencil one one end. The string is tied around the middle of the pencil. I feed the rings from the other end; the pencil should stop them from falling off. Then you could tie the other end to the top of the corner poles on your wired shelves. To remove the lids, pull the lids up enough to allow you to twist the pencil enough to let the lids slide off.

Good Job! So much hard work beautifully organized and displayed. When you wake up in the morning and come downstairs and review what you did, you will be even more thrilled with your accomplishment. Hugs.

Ok so I’m thoroughly impressed with you. It would’ve taken me 2 months to complete that project, between getting distracted and taking breaks and then just losing interest completely just to stare at it for weeks on end till inspiration hit me again. I think that’s the most impressive thing to me, the level of organization and foresight to do things in a certain order. I would definitely not be able to manage the whole garden and canning and manage that huge pantry. You’d be great in logistics.

For your canning lids I use a carabiner can get the big ones or use a piece of velcro like a belt that way u can hang them on the shelving posts. Which then frees up even more space on the shelves

When jarring/unpacking dry goods especially white powders, cut the label off the bag and put it inside the jar. That way you always know what is inside.

I use a bungy cord to hang my canning rings onto shelving. Out of the way, easy access, use space that otherwise wouldnt be used

For your jar rings you can get those wooden dowels they use for paper towel holders and mount to a wooden bottom/tray and then just stack them, like the ring toss game.

It is absolutely gorgeous, Becky. Well done, you! You have the pantry and kitchen storage of my dreams. Give yourself a big pat on the back and a little self-care treat--you deserve it.

I love how your pantry is full of home grown and home preserved foods instead of store bought boxed and canned foods. Great work!

I bet you feel great about accomplishing such a big project! I did a deep clean/organize/toss session of my kitchen a couple weeks ago post gardening and canning season, and it still feels awesome to walk in there and not have all the stuff and things on my counters. I also need to figure out storage for my rings, right now they are in plastic grocery bags in my garage. I keep all my jar boxes as well, the empties go in there stored in the garage and then when it comes time to fill them back up I just grab a box and bring it back in the house. You are so motivating, now I want to go organize other stuff 😁

You’re amazing and an inspiration to me when life slows me to have a few minutes to be productive the way I wish.

The nice thing about organizing is that now you know exactly what's in your pantry and what needs to be used up first. We all need to do this several times a year because it's so easy to forget about items that get pushed to the back on shelves. Thanks for sharing your journey!😊

From a fellow messy transferer, I would recommend putting a flexible plastic placemat under your jars, and then when you get to the end just pick up the placemat and pour it in the jar!

Oh, I forgot, I tie all my canning rings on strings, matching the sizes and hang them up... use that vertical space.

Because of your videos, my new roaster is coming as a birthday gift! Can’t wait!

I just reorganized my pantry annex (food storage in my spare room on shelving units). So I know how good it feels to get it done. You might want to put some flattened cardboard pieces under your pumpkins/squash so the the wire shelves don't put pressure on the small areas they're touching and possibly get bad spots. I've stored my pumpkins for months and months this way. Everything looks great!

Organizing jar rings: get two $1 dog leashes. Use one for the wide mouth, one for the regular. Thread the rings on the leash, thread the clasp thru the handle, clip on the side of your wire shelving. I honestly didnt think that up... I saw someone stored them that way...easy- peasy.

I used to drive past a thrift store on my way home for work. If I heard "thrift store, thrift store" in my head, I knew there was sosmething good waiting for me. I got some unbelievable stuff, mostly weird, but then so am I :).

incredible video, thank you. Hi from Istanbul :)

Renae from Little Village Homestead keeps all her lids and rings in a tall wicker basket. I thought it was a great idea, it holds a lot and doesn't take up a lot of space.

I love the way the pups follow you around like they are just so interested in what you are up to!

A good friend who cans a lot keeps a ring and a lid on every jar. She turns the lids upside down so they don't seal to the jar over time. When jars have been emptied, she can replace the lid and inspect the ring. Just a few spare rings and a few boxes of replacement lids at a time on the shelves

Hi Becky, I just watched your video. You go, Girl! We’re getting ready to move to what is expected to be our “forever” home. I will have a food room that overlooks my future garden. So, you’ve given me a lot of “food for thought” and definitely goals. You really helped me think of how I should lay the room and my kitchen pantry out. But Becky, when you got to storing your lids and rings you reminded me of a video that I watched from Homestead Heart. She’s amazing and very well versed in canning. In her video on canning Applesauce Butterscotch Spread she mentioned what she did with her rings now. She “places” her rings on all her jars that are canned now, because she doesn’t screw them down, she just starts the thread and leaves the rings on the jars. It’s BRILLIANT! When you hold up the jars and move it around you can hear the ring rattle, so it’s like a place holder for the ring until you decide to open and use the contents in the jar and at that point you can twist the jar ring down. She mentioned that she heard that from Alaskan Prepper I believe. Rings can reproduce like rabbits, so this is a Game Changer! IDK what you think, but thought you might like this idea. Blessings to you!!

I store my rings in a “sterilite” containers , one for large and another for small. A box for lids. On my shelves I have boxes marked small mouth ,wide mouth,and pints/jelly jars. It makes the whole process from start to finish easier for me. 💙

Here’s my tip for storing the canning jar rings (compliments of my very handy husband): take a link chain (we used an old one from a hanging kitchen chandelier) and add a carabiner to each end. Put one ring through the bottom carabiner (to serve as a base). You can then stack all your rings through the chain, and attach the other end to the corner of one of your metal shelves with the second carabiner. This has been a lifesaver for me!!,

This video was so satisfying! Love that you included the "ugly" before the "pretty". Well done!

I might of missed it? But what about labelling? Because honestly without tasting! How can you tell what’s in the buckets and jars? Example, plain flour, self raising flour. Everything looks so organised and tidy well done 👍

For your seedling starting shelves, consider putting a length of 2"x4" or 4"x4" under the back edge to put them on a slant for better access to your grow lights; rotate 180 degrees every day to the more realistic couple of days. If you put your rack on wheels, it can be rolled outside periodically depending upon the weather. With even a glue gun you can use vynil yardage from somewhere like Walmart to construct a cover for your rack and even more outdoor time. Glue Velcro to the surface of your vinyl to make straps for closing openings. Or, use shrink wrap ends if you can get them for free to wrap your shelves; cut slots or holes for ventilation and then a side for access.

I put my rings on old belts and hang them on the corner of my shelves.

To store my rings, I open up a metal coat hanger so it's straight. Take the coat hanger and put a wide mouth lid at the end of it and bend about an inch of metal around it. This will keep your rings from falling off. Then slide your rings on it. Take the top and bend it into a hook so you can just hang it on the side of a shelf. Do the same for the small rings. Easy to get to and out of the way. Also, I love to count how many times you spill something. It shows that you are keeping it real and not editing out the boo-boos. I spill all the time when I'm cooking. I thought it was just me. Love how the pantry looks.

Often, ive stored rings on a string (or cord) and hung them similarly to your garlic. Tie one end to a shelf vertical. Put s9me tupe of a clip on the other end. String the rings then form a loop by clipping the untied end to the tied end above the rings. If not cramped for space, seperate narrow/ regular rings frim wide mouthed rings. For the length of each cord, figure each ring at 1/2" and give yourself at least 4" beyond tying to complete the string circle with your clip (2" for clip end, 2" for tied end). So 36" will string about 60 rings (2" to tie, and 4" to complete the loop) and have about a 16"-18" drop down the shelving unit.

As I'm watching your video for the second time an idea popped: you can buy an adjustable under the sink organizer to maximize the space in the cabinet with the broken shelves. They're pretty sturdy and you can use that space to organize your small appliances there.

Funny story: (pantry related but not necessarily organization) When I was a little girl I was filling up our sugar shaker. I proudly grabbed the bag from the pantry, and filled the shaker. Of course I had to help myself to a little sprinkle. WELL, it was FLOUR! 😂 Yuck! So I quickly dumped it out and replaced it using the other bag (which was sugar). I learned multiple lessons lol.

As for ring storage, I string my rings with food-safe twine, tie the ends of the string together, and hang them on the wall. It gets them up and out of the way, so they don't take up bulk space.

I'm heading out to buy scaffolding for a work project, so hope to also find more metal shelving (this time of year, I'm expanding my supply of filled canning jars).

The timing of this is perfect! So looking forward to getting your perspective Becky. Hello from Australia! X

People have said often that my pantry looks like a small grocery store and I have had people shop here! My caregiver a couple of them we're waiting for food stamps and then run out of money so I said take a bag and go shopping they said where. I said the pantry and the freezer. :-). It makes me so happy to be able to help others I believe that is why I was put on this Earth. I am going to be off loading all of my tomato products because I have switched brands so if anybody is in the greater Portland Maine area or Southern Maine give me a holler if you need tomato products.

It was so satisfying watching the little messes get cleaned so quickly. Wish we all came equipped with a fast forward button irl!☺

Watching this Wednesday eve and I just put a cabinet and shelf in the basement and am filling it w jars!! This is also something that makes me feel REALLY good♥️ thank you for sharing 🥰

THANK YOU for sharing what food storage really looks like, mess and all!! Especially when it’s messy 😉. I love it, very realistic and one step closer to achievable for the rest of us ♥️

I've seen people store their canning rings on bungee cords. Get two bungees, put your regular mouth rings on one and wide mouth rings on the other, and attach the hooks to the sides of your wire shelves or put a hook on the wall. That way they're not taking up shelf space in a box :)

Here is an idea for rings - maybe get 2 food storage buckets - one for regular and one for wide mouth. I also keep the ones I am working with on the handle of a large ladle, hanging on a cabinet knob.

Baby Girl, everything looks organized and I like the glass jars so you see at a glance what you have on hand!! You make my day feel so much better just being able to spend a few minutes watching whatever you're doing! You would make painting rocks fun! Can't wait for more videos..❤

I am SO excited for this! I live in Maine, so I’ll be tuning in at 3PM. I’ve already got the time blocked off on my work calendar 😂

I love the idea on the bungee cords for storing the rings. I saw them on another homesteader site. That way they’re very accessible. Trying to find some boxes that will work for jars that I’ve gotten at thrift stores, garage sales etc. It seems that would be a much safer way to store them.

Oh I so agree, your food storage room looks beautiful! It feels so good when we lay our head down at night to sleep, knowing all that has been accomplished, all the things that we do to better our lives is actually working for us. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, made the observation in the book of Ecclesiastes that nothing is better for us than to rejoice, and to do good in our lives. He also says that it is the gift of God for every man and woman to eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their labor. According to this - God wants us to enjoy our lives.

Just put a full shelf across the top using the sides (where the rolling shelf was) as the base for a snug permanent shelf. Looks fantastic! This is on the agenda for us for the week and I am looking forward to listening to the book! I grabbed it on Audible. Thanks!!!

That looks amazing! Well done! For the pectin etc, I think I would make a jam box. Enough lids and rings and all types of pectin for one or two batches of jam. Want to make some jam? Grab fruit, sugar, jars and the jam box, and it will have everything you need regardless of which type of pectin you want to use or which jar size. Finish the jam, top up the box. Can you use the top space of that cupboard with the broken shelf to hang things? You could hang garlic or onion strings or even have a kind of macrame hammock going across for some onions or winter squash or something.

I read somewhere from an old farmer that if you wash the pumpkin skins and then oil the pumpkins they will last longer.

Idea for the canning rings, take a wire hangers and reclose the twist using needle nose pliers to open / close. Hang on the side of your shelves!

I’m so excited for this. I am new at this. My goal is to go the whole winter without going to the grocery store. The following year, 2023 I want to go the whole year. I can’t wait for this video ❤️

Nice job! I use a long strand of heavy yarn,loop the ends and run the rings through it. Put the loops over tops of shelves. 2 strands one for regular and one for wide. It also lets me see how many I have.

I love how excited your husband was for your accomplishment.

I put my rings on a string/cord with a loop tied at each end and just hang them up on a hook. Regular size on one string, wide mouth on the other. I love it as a cute farmhouse decor in my kitchen.

That's so satisfying. You should actually look at some of the videos made by Adam Savage (the guy from the old show Myth Busters) he talks about the logic of his workshop in a way that you might find really inspiring.

I keep thinking about those containers you showed us at Costco. The stacking ones. Such a great design

a little hint that i learned over the years is "touch it once" so if i have it in my hands i put it where it belongs right away. or deal with it immediately

Cracking up at your "wild Friday night." Exactly how I would spend a Friday night. 😂

Love what you've done! Great job Becky. You are working so hard and it's paying off. I love spending my free time with you!

I look forward to seeing how someone else manages bulk storage. I've always had a small collection of emergency food. But just started to stocking up big time. And I'm trying to organize. I bought small black bins at Costco. But when I fill and stack, the plastic of the bins seems kind of weak for the amount of weight.

I heard it said that youth is wasted on the young, I just want to say that you are living proof that the devil is a liar. Luv your energy.

Wow! You are a hard working young woman.....so refreshing to see! I grew up in a family that grew our own food. Mom and dad believed in storing up. Great job!

I’d say you want to protect your rings and lids from rust. If you store them in the garage might they get damp? And, wow! What a productive evening! Super result!

I'm sure you get asked this a lot, but have you thought about reusable lids like harvest guard or tattler? I got some for this year's canning and I love them so much. Helps with all the shortages out there

I bought a dog leash and strung up all my jar rings on the leash and then hung the loop of the leash on the top of a shelf so now I have all my rings hanging in one place.

Seriously five gallon buckets with gamma lids are the best! My husband worked in a popcorn factory for a few years, and they got soy lecithin in 5 gallon buckets, and they would let employees buy the empty buckets occasionally. So we bought a few and washed them really well, and I love them.

Yess! Looking forward to this!!🤎

Love this, look forward to it. Makes me laugh how you have a thumbs down when the video hasn’t even aired yet! (Premiered for future readers!) how do you manage milk Becky? Do you use a lot?

I don't garden at all! I still enjoy watching and listening to you! So soothing, calm yet excited! Awesome content!!!

I just LOVE how encouraging you were and how motivating this was for me. I need to do the same and this is a great kick in the pants!! Plus I totally love how honest you are about the struggles you have, ie with your laundry room and baskets. Make you so much more relatable. I really enjoyed this! Also, where do you buy your big gallon and half gallon jars? Are those just for storage or also for canning?

Glad to see you didn't put the Rings and Lids in the garage. If there's any drastic change in temperature they could have rusted in ended up being useless

LOVE!!!

I’ve never had luck getting food grade buckets at the store either. I ordered mine

Stack-able plastic bins where the broken shelf was...love all you do!