How to Create a Food Storage Pantry [Allergy Mom Video]

Have you thought about creating an allergy-friendly pantry?

In this part of the Allergic Living Megan’s Minute video series, blogger Megan Lavin helps. She shares clever advice for organizing and stocking a food pantry – so you never run out of allergy-friendly groceries or other essentials.

Following COVID-19 shortages of certain foods during the pandemic, Megan had concerns about how she would feed her two sons with food allergies. This was especially true for her eldest, who has multiple food allergies and relies on certain brands of staple foods. When I discovered his safe grocery products were missing from the local supermarket shelves, “I vowed I’d never be that vulnerable again.”

As she discusses in this video, Megan got to work setting up a food storage area. It brings her peace of mind, not only during a pandemic, but also in the event of a natural disaster, job loss, or just to avoid running out of supplies.

In the video, Megan covers:

• Why a food allergy pantry is not just so helpful in times of crisis.
• Your food storage organization system, rotation by products.
• How to avoid food waste when storing.
• Your storage categories from safe groceries to cleaning supplies and other consumables. (See their comprehensive list below).

Food Storage Pantry: What Megan Includes

By Megan Lavin

Below are the main items I keep in my family’s pantry. This isn’t our exhaustive list, but this gives you a good idea of ​​the categories to consider when setting up your own grocery and pantry storage. Although everyone’s food allergy needs are different, I’ll mention a few brands we’re specifically looking for in case it helps generate ideas.

Allergy-friendly foods that can be stored without refrigeration

• Grains: Kix, Chex, Multi Grain Cheerios, Gluten Free Oats.
• Snacks: gluten free beef jerky, classic Lay’s potato chips, corn tortilla chips, Fritos chips, microwave popcorn.
• Quick Meals: Daiya Mac & Cheeze; Thai Kitchen Instant Noodle Soup, Canned Chili, Canned Chicken and Rice Soup.
• Gluten-free basics: All-purpose flour mix (we use Great Value), cornmeal, gluten-free Barilla or Jovial spaghetti, and gluten-free short pasta.
• Liquids: water jugs, juice containers, long-life rice milk, water-purifying straws.
• Canned goods: tuna, green beans, corn, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beets, pears, tangerines, assorted beans.
• Foods in a Jar: Sunbutter, Prego Spaghetti Sauce, Tamari Sauce, Vinegar, Green Salsa, Salsa.
• Dried protein: dried beans, dried lentils, quinoa.
• Baking Supplies: Baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, sugar, Kirkland chocolate chips.
• Flavor enhancers: dried herbs, spices, jar of garlic, lemon and lime juice, salt, pepper.
• Condiments: ketchup, mustard, jelly, barbecue sauce.

In our freezer

• Extra Meat
• Mission Gluten Free Tortillas
• Corn tortillas
• Pizza Daiya (gluten free, dairy free)
• Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
• Gluten Free Bread from Little Northern Bakehouse
• Van’s waffles
• Blake’s Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
• Gluten Free Chicken Potstickers from Feel Good Foods

Food Storage Medicines/Accessories

• Laundry soap, hand soap, antibacterial wipes, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates and disposables.
• Flashlights, batteries, matches, candles.
• Recently expired auto-injectors and asthma inhalers.
• Band-aids, antibacterial cream, Tylenol, rubbing alcohol, vitamins.
• Propane for BBQ (kept outside by BBQ).
• Tent and sleeping bag for each person

Remember to only buy what your family will actually eat and develop a system to rotate food so it doesn’t go to waste.

Longer storage of food

For those looking to store food that can last longer than a year or two, I looked at two popular websites for buying durable foods online. Articles from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can typically last 30 years and are reasonably priced. Here is the statement they gave me on their food allergen labeling: “The church follows all safety measures with great caution, along with the necessary packaging information regarding allergens required by law.”

I also spoke to the quality department. They say their canned food is a good option for those avoiding the top 7 allergens, but not wheat, because it’s made in a flour factory, so the chance of cross-contamination is high.

I also reached out to Thrive Life, which offers freeze-dried items for long-term food storage. Here is the statement they made on cross-contact: “We process our food in a way that there is no cross-contamination for any of the allergens.”

I would love to hear from you what you like to keep in your pantry! Write in the comments on YouTube or Instagram or send me an email [email protected]

Megan’s Minute Series

Sign up for a new installment of Allergic Living monthly Megan’s minute with Megan Lavin, the creator of the Allergy Awesomeness Blog featuring great free top 9 recipes and articles. keep following her Instagram and Facebook.

More videos from Megan Lavin:
Eating safely with allergies
Safe way to keep allergens in the house
Creating a school plan 504
How to plan meals with food allergies
Go to birthday parties