To celebrate spring, Annie Chun's announced 10 tips to help consumers de-clutter the kitchen and prepare for a season of healthy, mindful eating. The recommendations support the brand's mission to empower at-home cooks with the tools, resources and products they need to feel comfortable in the kitchen and well-equipped to make a great meal.
While it's important to maintain a well-stocked and well-organized pantry year-round, Annie Chun's advises consumers to take advantage of annual "spring cleaning" with the following easy steps:
1. Remove all items from your pantry. Reassess all of the food and supplies you have accumulated, and clear your shelves of unhealthy, overly processed foods. This keeps the pantry free of temptation while making space for more wholesome options.
2. Identify "pantry staples" and always keep them stocked. Convenient, shelf-stable foods that deliver on flavor will help ensure you never go hungry and provide simple meal options that can be ready in minutes.
3. Check "best by" dates. Discard anything that may have expired or items that you hardly use which are nearing their expiration date in order to cut down on clutter. Pay attention to oils, nuts, grains and seeds which can go rancid over time.
4. Wipe down surfaces. Before re-stocking, be sure to wipe down shelving with a food-safe, gentle cleanser to eliminate any dirt, germs, etc.
5. Consider accessibility. For pantries with deep shelves, reorganize your products so that taller items are in back, and smaller items are in front, making it easy to see what you have.
6. Group "like" items together to ensure quick access when you need them.
7. Label and date things. For any non-packaged goods or foods that aren't shelf-stable, be sure to label and date them appropriately.
8. Employ the use of airtight containers. Air-tight containers will maintain your food at peak freshness for as long as possible, lessening the chance of spoilage.
9. Keep healthier, packaged snacks at eye-level. When better-for-you snacks—like nuts, dried fruit, and whole grain crackers—are right before your eyes, you're more likely to favor them in place of something unhealthy.
10. Keep a pen and paper nearby to keep track of your supplies so that you don't risk running out of anything you might need.
Source: Annie Chun’s