Low Cost Stocking the Pantry

I think one of the biggest problems folks have with their pantry is not having the money to stock it.  That is more so for those on a low or fixed income.  Some folks rely on food pantries and church meals so it is hard to squirrel away a bit of extra food.  Notice I said hard, not impossible.  The best way to save money when stocking the pantry is DIY (home canning, dehydrating, freezing, curing)

First rule of thumb is to shop sales.  I absolutely refuse to pay full price for anything wherever possible.  We don't have BOGOs or coupons here but I know many places in the US does so if you are in an area that does have them take advantage.  I have heard of people who get food baskets or use a food pantry putting up some of what they can't use right then.  For example, they get a bag of dried beans so part of the bag is canned for future use.  

Second rule of thumb is buy from the source.  Buying directly from the grower or producer is almost always less expensive than in the grocery stores.  You can usually get in bulk sizes (bring your own boxes or bins) and the farmer usually give you a baker's dozen or always a bit extra.  We buy most foods this way.  

Grow whatever you can then learn to preserve it.  At this point, an indoor and outdoor garden is highly recommended.  Part of you pantry should include an ample supply of seeds.  Buying seed packs can be expensive so to reduce the cost:  learn how to save seeds from your gardens, join a seed exchange and get to know other gardeners in your area for trading seeds.

Third rule of thumb is to forage.  There is a surprising amount of edible food right in your own yard and even in cities growing in the cracks of pavement.  Last year I made dandelion honey from dandelions in our yard.  Dandelion greens are good in salads and the roots can be dried for a liver tonic tea.  I didn't have quite enough wild violets to do the same but this year looks promising.  Stinging nettle is another edible that makes a lovely spring tonic tea.  Wild grape leaves (keeps pickles crisp, stuffed), wild grapes and other wild berries make wonder low cost jams and jellies.  Purslane for salads, and the list goes on.  Be sure to identify any plant before consuming and don't forage on private land without permission.

Hunting and fishing are both low costs ways to stock the pantry.  I don't hunt but I fish.  Hubby goes to hunt camp so we usually have a nice supply of venison as well as other wild game.  Wild game can be froze, canned (plain, soups, stews, chili), dehydrated (jerky), cured (sausages etc) and really are one of the ultimate ways to fill your pantry quickly for very little cost.  If you don't hunt or fish get to know someone who does.  Quite often they will gift you with a small amount or trade for something like homemade bread.

Equipment needed (most can be found used):

1. vacuum sealer (regular, chamber)
2. dehydrator (estimate $20 - $400)
   
3. waterbath canner (about $20) or steam canner (about $70) [high acid foods]
   
4. pressure canner (estimate $100 - $500) [low acid foods]
5. mason jars/lids
6. vacuum sealer bags (don't buy brand name, chamber sealer bags are cheaper)
   

Before you rush out to buy this equipment, check your local resale shops.  Quite often you can find them for very good prices.  Check Facebook Marketplace too especially after Christmas and Mother's Day.  Here Canadian Tire generally runs some very nice sales too.  Put the word out to family and friends that you are looking for these items.  Sometimes family will even lend you theirs for a short period of time. 

Now, some will say they can't afford the equipment.  But consider the savings.  A can of beans at No Frills costs me $1.89.  A bag of dry beans costs me $3.79 (sometimes less) but I get 5 c of dried beans out of a 900 g package.  At a 1/2 c of dried beans per 500 ml jar to can that works out to 10 jars of canned beans or $0.37 each but in reality the beans are soaked overnight so really closer to 1/4 c (soaked) per 500 ml jar giving me about 20 jars of beans for $0.185 each plus the cost of the snap lid.  The same savings can be seen for canned meats, fish and poultry as well as most fruits and vegetables.

You also don't need all of the equipment at once.  Start with what you can afford and build from there.  A $20 dehydrator can process a lot of food for your pantry shelves for very little money!  It is one of the best ways to reduce food wastage, create delicious homemade snacks and fill your pantry one jar at a time. You can even create your own dehydrated instant meals and seasoning blends for a fraction of the cost of store bought.  My dehydrator is running pretty much every day right now.

Garden Gnome
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