Do you have a lot of food in cupboards?

[soupyspoon]

Inspired by another thread (that some people think is possibly not genuine, although I dont have an opinion on that), Im wondering what people have in their cupboards to eat (not fresh foods)

I have rice, lentils, barley, freekeh, sauces, pickled onions, tinned toms, soups, beans, other beans, more beans, packets of ready cooked beans and lentils, dried lentils, jars of things, stock cubes, dried fruit (many varieties), flours, sugars, eggs, chutneys, tinned veg, olives, nuts of god knows how many types, I cant even remember what else, gravies, other condiments

Thats not including OH having biscuits, crisps, other snacks

Is this normal? (notwithstanding if someone has no money, I get that)

Im surprised the cupboards dont collapse when I think about it

Yes it's normal. I mean these are staple items aren't they? You're not going to run out every time you need some pasta or some seasoning are you. I have a fair amount of spices, pasta, a few jars of pasta sauce, baking supplies, tinned chopped tomatoes, tuna, the usual mustards/oil/vinegar/soy sauce etc.
If we had an emergency lockdown I reckon we'd be fine for about ten days - bored maybe, but not hungry.

I would post a photo but they're messy!

Always well stocked, I buy stuff I use on offer whether I need it that week or not. Helps to know the average price of things and I have a sort of mental "won't pay more than £3 for that" so when it drops I buy it, if it goes up I don't

Also have shelves of beauty products and toiletries, same with buying on offer

Everyone took the piss until Covid hit and I had enough soap to supply myself and work plus enough food that I did 5 weeks with no food delivery (couldn't get a slot)

Oh soap, yes theres a lot of that

similar to OP (plus random things like dried limes and tamarind for my ottolenghi phases) We could live for 2 weeks on the food ……well I could, DH would get sick of bean stews.

In the tun up to brexit I prepped, so we had full cupboards plus storage boxes, people laughed, but then covid hit, lost my job, and it was good I had prepped we only needed to shop for fresh stuff.
Now the cupboards are still full as I buy extra when on special offer.

I keep flour in Kilner jars. The only time I have ever had a weevil attack was when I bought supermarket own brand flour. It happened twice. I have never had a problem with McDougalls or Homepride.

There have been interesting points made about poverty. I grew up with plenty and a grandmother and mother who always had supplies and who were interested in food.

DH grew up in a poorer household with a very mean mindset. He and his sisters recall being hungry because there was never enough food and soap and shampoo were eked out. He struggles a bit with my stocks and always feels everything should be used up before I shop. His parents were not poor, just mean and MIL had no interest in food.

MIL and Mother are the same age, 88, and both grew up in the war but have very different attitudes.

Vis a vis the need for stocks, it's a bit bonkers as we live within two miles of large Tescos, Sainsburys, Waitrose, M&S and all the others, notwithstanding the four petrol stations I pass twice a day!

Fridge space is more of a premium than cupboard space though. I'm sure I'll start trusting flour again at some point, but for now I will just buy what I need.

Yes I have fully stocked cupboards. Tins (mainly pulses and tomatoes but a few tuna, soup, and fruit also), herbs and spices, pasta, rice, noodles, dried pulses, flour, sugar, tea, coffee beans, condiments, cereal, snacks…And have stocks of toothpaste, soap, anti perspirant, shampoo. Also washing up liquid, washing powder etc.

I shop to maintain the stocks which is one reason our food bill is relatively high. I always think the people who spend very little on their weekly shop must only be buying what they’re actually eating that week. Don’t think any way is particularly better than the other, I just like always having stocks of the stuff we use regularly.

As pp have said I bulk buy when stuff we use is on offer. We’re lucky that a) we have the money available to do so and b) that we have the space to store it.

not really but I have 2 freezers full of meat.

If we get hit by a zombie apocalypse my family will survive for a bit on random cupboard / freezer meals 😂