Food Bank Article: Pantry Storage & Food Safety

With the new year upon us, now is a great time to organize your pantry and make sure your food is stored safely. Here are some great tips and a delicious banana pancakes recipe from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Posted 4:04 p.m. Dec 29, 2020 — Updated 4:43 p.m. Dec 30, 2020

Sara Clement

, RD, LDN

Pantry Storage & Food Safety

By Sara Clement, RD, LDN

When stored properly, some foods can remain safe and keep their quality for an extended period of time. Store foods in the right container, at the right temperature and for the right length of time. Proper food storage will reduce your risk of food poisoning and also help your money go further since your food won’t spoil as quickly.

The pantry is a great place to store your shelf-stable foods, from dry pasta to raisins.

Here are some tips on proper food storage in the pantry:

• Keep your pantry clean, dry, dark and cool — preferably away from any heat-producing appliances. A cool temperature range, between 50°F to 70°F, helps keep foods at their best longer. When foods are stored at warmer temperatures (above 100°F) it tends to lower the quality of many foods, especially canned goods.

• Organize your pantry by placing older containers in front to use first. Canned foods have a long shelf life and, if stored properly, many unopened canned foods stay safe to use past their quality date on the can. For highly acidic foods, such as tomatoes and fruit, they may keep for as long as 12 to 18 months and less acidic foods, such as canned meats and vegetables, may last for two to four years.

• Be alert for food spoilage and discard cans that are cracked, bulging, leaking or that spurt liquid when opened.

• Most unopened dried fruits and vegetables can be stored in the pantry for 6 months to a year. After opening, use within one to three months or transfer to the fridge for a longer shelf life.

• After opening packages of dry foods, such as rice and pasta, store them in dry, airtight containers. This will help keep out insects and rodents and help prevent food from absorbing odors and moisture.

• Store foods away from kitchen chemicals and household trash.

Adapted from www.eatright.org

Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes Recipe

Enjoy this recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Healthy Recipe Videos

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch on YouTube.com HERE.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.

The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.

Monthly Articles from the Food Bank

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.

February 2020 Article: New changes to the food label guidelines