Storage and expiration tips

These are a few tips for making the most of bulk buying, whilst avoiding food waste:

Use airtight jars

Storing 6 wholesale food bags at 500g (go to http://www.shortersclub.co.uk/ for great deals). is bound to be more untidy than storing one large airtight jar or container. These should have a tight seal and will keep dried goods fresh for a long time. Clear jars are best as it’s easy to see what’s inside. You can buy nice jar sets at any supermarket or in hardware stores but always check the seals are adequate and that they will fit snugly into your cupboards.

Organise cupboards

When you buy food in bulk make full use of all storage space available. In the kitchen, store food or items that you use most often at the front, and don’t be afraid to alter cupboards or shelves to fit everything in. Household products such as cleaning formulas and toilet rolls can be stored in an attic, outhouse or garage. Likewise cheap wine. Try to keep like products together, so that it’s quick and easy to find everything you need.

Dried or tinned?

When shopping for wholesale groceries, consider whether it is easier to store the same product as dried or tinned. For example lentils are much smaller when dried, and can be kept in airtight jars. Lentil soup is easy to make but tins are bulkier to store. Tomatoes can be bought tinned or as a concentrated puree, which is ideal for use in recipes, is smaller to store and keeps for much longer.

Stack tins

When storing tins, remember to stack same or similar tins on top of each other, this will allow a lot more to be stored in one place without losing the ability to find foods at a glance. Because most tins are round, they are notorious for taking up large amounts of space. Why not store some tins in the outhouse or garage? This way when your cupboard stock is depleted you can refill from your back-up store.

Milk and dairy

Fresh milk, if bought in plastic bottles or cartons, can go off very quickly, and requires fridge storage. Powdered milk can be stored for long periods of time and simply prepared at the point of use. It is also ideal for use in some recipes as is condensed milk.

Lemons

For lemon wedges in your drinks all year round, try buying lemon slices in juice. They last far longer than fresh lemons, and can be stored until required. The juice is also good for recipes or dressings.

For your nearest wholesale food suppliers go to http://www.shortersclub.co.uk/.

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