When finished with an empty cardboard salt container, cut the whole round top piece off and measure to fit a canning jar ring. Trace and cut with the flat part with scissors to fit a pint canning jar. Fill the jar with sugar, then cut a second one from a second empty salt container for non-dairy coffee creamer. The pour spouts make for easy access to your sugar and creamer. *If desired, half pint jars can be used instead of pint jars.
Source: my grandmother
By Monica from Cortez, CO
On the Thursday before my husband's Friday payday, I found in my pantry, a can of pork and beans, a can of lima beans, and a can of green beans, and that along with some rice was what we had for dinner. That was an interesting meal!
I began by planning a week's worth of menus at that point and buying what was needed for those menus. Nothing had to be used on a specific day, just some time during the week. And as I progressed I collected 35 or 40 menus.
Of course, sometimes there were sales on foods, twofers, etc and I began to buy those extra cans for emergencies. I set aside shelves in my basement and put the extras there. You can put them under the bed or any place where there is room, even in a small apartment.
As I began to accumulate foods, I would first shop from my food storage, and then go to the store, replenishing what I had used and buying a few extras as well.
A salvage warehouse came to my area. Cases of canned goods, housecleaning supplies from wrecked trucks and trains were available at the warehouse. I would check the store price of such things as green beans and then 'haggle' at the warehouse for a case of green beans at a much lower price per can. None of the cans I bought were damaged, although the boxes they were in might have been.
At the end of the month when I got my salary, I would go to the warehouse and spend a total of $50 or whatever I had, on extra foods, things that we all liked and that I used frequently.
If there are warehouse big box stores near you, buying just a few things extra each week can add up to a good food storage program. Even the twofers from the grocery store are great and using any coupons of course, adds to the value. Later I added freezer products to my food storage, as well as dry goods.
Today, quite a few years after being a 'young bride' I continue the food storage. I try to keep at least a 6 month supply of food on hand at all times. And there have been times that I have had to live off of my food storage with no purchases from the store, and for extended periods. Such a time as now and what we are going through with the economy is a good time to have a food storage program, or even begin one, can by can.
By Nancy S. from Cross Lanes, WV
By Barbara H.
An easy way to do this is keep a dispenser of scotch tape and a sharpie handy. If you don't want to write on the carton (because you're going to use it again at another time or it won't take the pen), just put a piece of scotch tape on the package and write on it.
I do this with perishables as well as staples. I buy most of my staples in bulk, and keep them in an outside fridge. It's easy to read, and keeps me circulating my stuff, and I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get the writing off storage containers that I reuse over and over again.
I put these removable labels on the tops, the sides, wherever I need them.
I'm not the best organizer and this has greatly helped me.
By Wondernana from Clovis, CA
By RoseMary
By Paula from Christmas, MI
I have found 2 tins of sardines expiration date Dec. 2006. The tins are not dented or blown. I have also found a tube of anchovy paste with a June 2006 expiration date. Can they be used or should they be thrown away?
Thank you.
By petalem from Sandy, Bedfordshire
How good are can goods after the expiration date?
By LV
By Robyn Fed02/08/2012Here is the link ot the US Government Fact Sheet on this subject:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Food_Product_dating/index.asp#5
Hope this can help you.
Make sure the can you have is not bent or damaged and does not smell bad if you are unsure.
Blessings, Robyn
I would like to know the length of time canned food can be stored? Is it the date on the can or can you keep it longer. I understand it is no longer any good when the can bulges or leaks, etc.
Thanks.
Billie from Sharpsburg, GA
By Nellie
"In general, high-acid canned foods such as tomatoes, grapefruit, and pineapple can be stored on the shelf 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and most vegetables will keep 2 to 5 years, if the can remains in good condition and has been stored in a cool, clean, dry place." (10/31/2006)
By mef1957
How long can I keep canned goods after the expiration date?
By babyfase from Jersey City, NJ
By vaughnman1
As far as food safety, my mom's uncle was a hermit and didn't have electricity, had a rain barrel for water and shopped once a month for groceries. He was born in 1908 and died in 1990 of a stroke. Uncle Joe always used canned or dry goods such as oatmeal and beans. (03/23/2010)
By Deeli
Oh and one other personal note, My sister-in-law gave us a 1lb.can of coffee many years ago, she said she didn't need it. ( don't know how long she had it.) Because it was a brand we normally didn't use it was stuck back in the cupboard for a long time. I don't know how long we had it, but when I did finally open it, it smelled wonderful, looked great. Better than the coffee we were used to. (No fillers).
The kicker is, there was a coupon inside, with the expiration date 10 years before. That was the best coffee we'd tasted in a very long time. Now when you call the 800 #s most will say they can't recommend use after the expiration date. Have to cover their you know. I just might still have those old letters though.
LOL GG Vi (03/24/2010)
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Dating My Food in Storage