If you’re wondering how to organize a food storage room or the best ways to organize food storage containers, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explain everything you need to know about how to organize food storage in your garage—so you can actually eat it if and when an emergency occurs.
What to Put in Food Storage
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You can’t put just anything away in food storage, because that loaf of homemade bread or block of cheese definitely ain’t going to make it to the apocalypse (knock on wood). So what should you be putting away in food storage?
When it comes to food storage organization ideas, it’s important to think long-term. No, not like a month from now. Really long term. The best food storage items should last anywhere from 1-30 years.
You should certainly eat the food items before they expire, but don’t forget to replace them so you always have a solid stash in case of emergency. Here are some ideas of what to put in food storage:
Canned goods (fruits, vegetables, soups, beans, etc.)
Flour
Sugar
Dried beans and lentils
Rice, oats, and other grains
Granola bars
Peanut butter
Powdered drinks
Freeze-dried fruits and veggies
Instant potatoes or instant soup
Beef jerky
Nuts
Dried fruit
Applesauce
Spices
Canned tuna, chicken, and other meat
Baby formula (if you have young ones)
Taking the time to organize will pay off in the long run
Ways to Organize Canned Goods
Okay, now you know what to put in your food storage—but how will you store it? After all, you don’t want to be tripping over towers of refried beans and tomato soup as you make your way to work every morning.
Garage space is prime real estate, so you naturally want to maximize the area to store as much as possible. Here are a few ways to organize canned goods smartly and efficiently:
Metal can rack organizers: These handy tools can be assembled quickly, are relatively affordable, and allow you to store about three times as many cans in one area as you could by just stacking them on top of each other. Plus, you always have easy access to whatever type of canned good you’re looking for.
Plastic shelf food organizer: Similar to the metal rack, the plastic food organizer refreshes your cans as soon as you take one away, keeping your canned goods on a constant rotation so everything stays fresh.
Standing can dispenser: The standing dispenser allows you to buy as many or as few as you need to store your canned goods, and you’ll love the satisfying feeling of looking at your neatly corralled food storage.
Can shelf steps: Tired of knocking over a bunch of cans as you reach to the back of the shelf? Get organized with shelf steps, which allow you to arrange your canned goods in efficient “stadium seating.” No more discovering a 10-year-old can of tuna after it’s too late!
Over-the-door rack: Dealing with a small garage situation? The door from the garage into the house is another great place to store food. Install a simple rack to house the canned goods so they’re easy to reach at a moment’s notice.
Make sure to store some family favorites for grandma's classic recipe
Food Storage Organization Ideas
When it comes to storing food in the garage, there are definitely a few best practices to keep in mind. You don’t want to share your food with the critters, and you don’t want it to go bad before the expiration date. Here are a few expert tips to ensure you make the most of your garage food storage:
Always keep food off the ground—this is where the critters will have easy access to nibble their way into a package!
Keep plastic containers away from the sun to prevent deterioration.
Use food-grade buckets to store essentials like flour, sugar, and rice.
Don’t forget to label items! You may think you’ll remember what everything is...but how many times have you been surprised by what you defrosted from the freezer? Eh?
Be aware of expiration dates!
Keep in mind, food storage doesn’t have to be limited to the garage. Under the bed, in the closet, or in the attic are great options, too.
Keep a notebook of inventory so you always know what you have on hand.
Food will last longer if stored at about 70 degrees. (You can better regulate the temperature by adding air conditioning or insulation to the garage.)
Making a list is a great way to keep track of things for your next trip to the store
Get Organized with Flow Wall
We’ve passed on all the best tips about how to organize your food storage, so now it’s time to take action! Head to Flow Wall to get all the tools you need for a well-organized garage food storage space. From customizable wall panels to handy hooks and bins, Flow Wall has everything you need to feel like a food storage pro.
