How to Stock Your Pantry for CSA Success

Having the right stuff in your pantry makes all the difference between CSA success and failure.

What would people see if you opened up your pantry? (Would you let them?)

Letting someone see into my pantry stores is a little bit like letting someone see me naked.

I feel so exposed.

I’m supposed to be an organic farmer, right? But if you look into my cabinets, you’ll see things like Mac and Cheese boxes, Frosted Flakes, and Lays Potato Chips. (Next to my canned beans and tomatoes of course).

So no one is passing judgment today. What’s in your pantry is YOUR business.

Still, it’s true that our pantry is like the hues of color on a painter’s palette. Our pantry items represent the ingredients you have to work with to make your culinary masterpiece.

So you want to make sure you have the right basic colors — or you’ll be limited in what you can do.

With basic supplies you’ll be able to create a basic, delicious meal at any time for your family or friends with little to no planning.

Our CSA insiders have learned this skill, crediting their pantry for their ability to use their weekly vegetable box up with minimal stress!

If CSA is new to you though, it takes a bit of coaching to learn what staples have the most bang for their buck. This blogpost will be a good start to help you know what elements to make sure you have ready to launch at meal prep time.

If cooking is new to you, use this list as a basic guideline.

Then start by just adding a couple items to your cart each week. Don’t spend extra money on the more expensive brands or varieties. Once you figure out what you like the most you may decide to splurge… but there’s no reason to in the beginning!

Some people tend to use certain items up faster than others. These are the items you may want to consider buying in larger quantities to save money. Remember, these are items that aren’t going to perish quickly. Adding one or two items each week to your cart will contribute to a well-stocked pantry.

Watch our YouTube video where we teach you the essentials of a well-stocked pantry.

Meal Fillers

It’s a good idea to check out the bulk section of your store for some of these items. This way you can buy as much or as little as you like for a good price. Health food stores and even some grocery stores have a bulk bin section. These items can be a cost-effective way to add some bulk to a meal. Many of our CSA Masters have these on hand to use with some of their favorite skillet meals, casseroles, soups and stir-fries. One option is to purchase these from internet vendors like RanchoGordo.com or Amazon Pantry for a cost savings.

• Rice
• Beans: kidney, black, lentils, chickpeas (canned or dry, your preference)
• Pasta: variety of your choice (spaghetti, macaroni, penne, etc.)
• Tortillas
• Bread

Canned & Jarred Items

It’s good idea to have these items in your cupboard for quick meals. Most can be refrigerated or frozen if you don’t use the entire container at one time.

• Beans (also found under meal fillers)
• Basic Marinara Sauce
• Diced Tomatoes
• Tomato Paste
• Tomato sauce
• Salsa*
• Vegetable Broth (if not in freezer stock)*
• Chicken Broth (if not in freezer stock)*
• Canned tuna or salmon

Oils, Vinegars & Sauces

These items, in addition to spices, really give life to your foods.

• Cooking fat of choice (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, lard)- Most vegetables can be roasted or cooked in a little oil with basic seasoning, this is an essential part of your kitchen
• Dressing oils (olive oil, avocado oil)
• Vinegars: Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar- We recommend starting with some of these basic vinegars, they can be used to create a quick dressing or marinade. No need to buy the expensive varieties in the beginning, start with small bottles that are cost effective and learn what you like. Once you gain more experience in the kitchen this is an area that some people choose to put more of their food dollars.
• Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos*
• Mustard* (yellow, dijon)
• Mayonaise*
• Pickles*
• Lemon Juice*
• Pesto*

Dried Seasonings and Spices

Try looking at your local health food store for these items in bulk; spices can be expensive. Often times you can buy them in small amounts from the bulk section, they are usually cheaper and fresher! Online sources are also an option, check out…..Amazon, Thrive Market or The Great American Spice Company.

Spices don’t technically go rancid, but they do lose some of their taste and color over time. Most ground spices are good for 6-9 months, to preserve them make sure to keep them away from light and heat. If you have room, feel free to store them in your refrigerator or freezer.

• Sea Salt
• Pepper (whole peppercorns and ground varieties)
• Basil
• Cayenne
• Chili Powder
• Cinnamon
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Cumin
• Curry
• Garlic Powder
• Ginger Powder
• Oregano
• Smoked Paprika
• Turmeric

Nuts & Seeds

These are great as salad toppers and to add some crunch to a meal. They are a great way to boost the nutritional value of your dish, loaded with healthy fats and minerals. Keeping them in the refrigerator will also keep them fresher longer.

• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Sunflower Seeds

Baking:

Even if you’re not a baker, you may want to take a look at this list. We highly recommend having these basics on hand just in case you need them. Some recipes will call for a small amount of these items, and you’ll be happy to have them in your cupboard when that happens. They have a long shelf life, so there’s no stress if you aren’t using them quickly!

• Flour: All-Purpose, Pastry, Almond Meal- It’s a good idea to have at least one of these on hand. They can be used to bread chicken, or possibly to thicken a sauce or soup.
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Cornstarch
• Vanilla Extract
• Honey
• Granulated Sugar (white, cane, coconut)- If you do bake on a regular basis you would want to have a larger variety of sugars on hand. Most people can get by with just one or two varieties.
• Maple Syrup

*Must be kept refrigerated after opening

Pantry Staples 2.0

Some people would consider these essentials, having them on their basic list. We don’t think you have to have them in your kitchen, but we hope that you will explore this list at some point. They can be things that really change the way some of your meals taste, giving some variety to your usual routine.

Meal Enhancers

• Olives
• Capers
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Nutritional Yeast
• Dried Fruit (raisins, dates, cranberries)

Canned Goods

• Coconut Milk
• Nut Butter (almond, etc.)

Other

• Arrowroot Powder
• Quinoa