If you belong (or are considering getting a membership) to a wholesale store like Sam’s Club, Costco, or BJ’s, you’re aware of the many items you can buy in bulk and store in your home. This is naturally on more people’s radars since shortages of toilet paper, meat, and other staples took place during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in 2020.

Troy Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at items that are perfect for bulk, could be right for you depending on your habits, and what isn’t a good idea.

Items Perfect for Bulk

  • Canned Goods. Canned meats and vegetables are good indefinitely, but they will start to lose quality after two to five years even if stored in a cool, dry place. Foods with higher acidity (canned tomatoes or fruit) are good for 18 months.
  • White Sugar and White Rice. Stored in an airtight container, white rice can last 25-30 years. Sugar, as long as its in an opaque container, has no expiration date.
  • Herbs and Spices. Salt has no expiration date, nor does vanilla extract. Other spices are good for around four years, while dried herbs like oregano and basil can last anywhere from one to three years.

Your Mileage May Vary

  • Most meats will get you at least six months in the freezer, but the taste of bacon, hot dogs, and raw hamburger may start to fade in a couple of months. Chicken parts are good for around nine months, while steaks and roasts can last anywhere from six to 12 months.
  • These can only last around three months in the pantry before going bad. Freezing nuts in an air-tight container, however, can buy you around two years.

Not a Good Idea

  • Unless you’re going to freeze it, coffee will lose its flavor fairly quickly in the pantry. If you do freeze it, take out about a week’s supply at a time.
  • Olive Oil. Once opened, this is only usable for a few months. If it smells like crayons or glue, it’s no good.
  • Condiments are generally cheap enough to not need to buy in bulk. Ketchup, BBQ, and cocktail sauce is good for around a year if unopened. Once in the fridge, it can last around four to six months.

To learn more about Troy Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://troy-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.