What do I do with all this food?

[Chasey_Lane]

My cabinets are stocked with food, including two fridge/freezers, yet I continually go to the grocery store weekly. But of the stuff we have, you can't make a full meal out of it - or I'm just clueless on what to make. I hate going to the grocery store knowing there's all this food just sitting there. We could use it all up, but everyone in the family would have to eat separate things until it was all gone.

What are some dinner ideas for leftover/odd food items? Should I donate the boxed/canned goods to clear up some space? But then I'd just buy more!

 

[K_Jo]

My cabinets are stocked with food, including two fridge/freezers, yet I continually go to the grocery store weekly. But of the stuff we have, you can't make a full meal out of it - or I'm just clueless on what to make. I hate going to the grocery store knowing there's all this food just sitting there. We could use it all up, but everyone in the family would have to eat separate things until it was all gone.

What are some dinner ideas for leftover/odd food items? Should I donate the boxed/canned goods to clear up some space? But then I'd just buy more!

A detailed list would be helpful.

 

[RoseRed]

My cabinets are stocked with food, including two fridge/freezers, yet I continually go to the grocery store weekly. But of the stuff we have, you can't make a full meal out of it - or I'm just clueless on what to make. I hate going to the grocery store knowing there's all this food just sitting there. We could use it all up, but everyone in the family would have to eat separate things until it was all gone.

What are some dinner ideas for leftover/odd food items? Should I donate the boxed/canned goods to clear up some space? But then I'd just buy more!

Donate to the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

 

[Nickel]

Donate to the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

I always go grocery shopping with a list (I plan our meals in advance, less guesswork at dinnertime), and with the exception of random snacks, I tend to stick pretty strictly to that list. Otherwise I'd have cabinets full of food that would never get eaten.

 

[nachomama]

A detailed list would be helpful.

 

[vraiblonde]

 

[K_Jo]

A detailed list would be helpful.

Dear Karma-Giver:

My nickname for him starts with a "C."

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Donate to the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

But as I said...I'd just have to replace the items - mostly the canned goods, rice, Bisquick, etc.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I always go grocery shopping with a list (I plan our meals in advance, less guesswork at dinnertime), and with the exception of random snacks, I tend to stick pretty strictly to that list.

Me, too. However, the items just pile up and pile up.

 

[dems4me]

Me, too. However, the items just pile up and pile up.

I'm like you, I don't like to throw food away and as a result have odds and ends too. Could you make another pantry for your surplus food to free up room - maybe date everything and if you havn't eaten it in three months throw it away or donate it? :shrug:

 

[vraiblonde]

Chasey, if both your freezer AND your pantry are stocked, why can't you get a full meal going?


What have you got?

 

[Nickel]

Chasey, if both your freezer AND your pantry are stocked, why can't you get a full meal going?


What have you got?

I'm thinking 74 boxes of couscous, and 197 popsicles.

 

[Christy]

197 popsicles.

She's got kids, there is no way there would be 197 uneaten popsicles in the house.

 

[huntr1]

Donate to the local food pantry or homeless shelter.

Check with your local Boy Scout Troop or Cub Scout Pack. They would probably be willing to come and pick it up as part of their Scouting for Food food drive. All you'd have to do is box/bag it up and leave it on the front step. Keep track of what you put in the box and then price the items at the store and take a tax writeoff for it.

 

[migtig]

With the odds and ends I always make stews and or soups.

 

[nachomama]

I'm thinking 74 boxes of couscous, and 197 popsicles.

My mom had stocked up 17 boxes of cereal, 20+ cans of tuna and 9 boxes of brownie mix at one time, among numerous other oddball items. She had a freezer that was literally frozen shut for over a year - I had to unplug it and let it thaw to get it to open - I threw everything out that was in it. Needless to say, she wasn't happy. I told her if she set foot in the grocery store within a 30-day time period, I'd shoot her on sight.

There's no need for any household to have 6 different cans of Old Bay in their house. I don't care who you are.

 

[Christy]

You could always organize a somd.com food trade. Everyone bring all the stuff they never eat and swap it for stuff they do. :shrug:

 

[pixiegirl]

My mom had stocked up 17 boxes of cereal, 20+ cans of tuna and 9 boxes of brownie mix at one time, among numerous other oddball items. She had a freezer that was literally frozen shut for over a year - I had to unplug it and let it thaw to get it to open - I threw everything out that was in it. Needless to say, she wasn't happy. I told her if she set foot in the grocery store within a 30-day time period, I'd shoot her on sight.

There's no need for any household to have 6 different cans of Old Bay in their house. I don't care who you are.

OMG... My mother is JUST like that and never cooks. I tell her she's a hoarder! Not only with food but with household supplies as well. She goes to BJ's weekly. There are so many things that I don't have to buy because she sends them home with me weekly because she's got so much she doesn't have room for it all. Paper towels, cat treats (who has 2 cats and 20 unopened packages of cat treats? my mom, that's who!), canned anything except vegetables (those are all frozen) including canned salmon , mac and cheese, the list goes on. I don't know why she has ANY food in the house at all because she and my father literally eat out EVERY night.

 

[nachomama]

OMG... My mother is JUST like that and never cooks. I tell her she's a hoarder! Not only with food but with household supplies as well. She goes to BJ's weekly. There are so many things that I don't have to buy because she sends them home with me weekly because she's got so much she doesn't have room for it all. Paper towels, cat treats (who has 2 cats and 20 unopened packages of cat treats? my mom, that's who!), canned anything except vegetables (those are all frozen) including canned salmon , mac and cheese, the list goes on. I don't know why she has ANY food in the house at all because she and my father literally eat out EVERY night.

I think they may be sisters.

 

[Christy]

You could always organize a somd.com food trade. Everyone bring all the stuff they never eat and swap it for stuff they do. :shrug:

I really could unload a couple boxes of 10 yr old Hamburger Helper.