What to do with Bulk Foods- Prepping my Bulk Buy for Long-Term Storage

If you are considering bulk foods, the next question is often what to do with them once you make a big purchase. How do you take 50 pounds of potatoes and use them before they go bad, or how can you store 25 lbs of cheese without wasting your bulk purchase? Today I am going to bring you along as I restock my pantry after my latest Azure Standard pickup, so you can see exactly how we make this work for our family.
Swing Top Bottles: amzn.to/3wumkL5
Mason Top Oil Lid: amzn.to/49q7Jid
Vanilla Beans: amzn.to/49srIgv
Knee-Highs for Onion Storage: amzn.to/3STaIZD
Mixer: sovrn.co/1y045hc
Shop my kitchen at www.amazon.com/shop/thehometownhomestead
Want to try Azure? Use my link and I will receive a bonus from them, at no expense to you! Sign up for your account here!
Azure Link: www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=...
Manuka Honey Tallow Balm: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Avocado Oil: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Pepper Jack: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
A2A2 Cheddar: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Cabbage: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Honey: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Chocolate Chips: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Onions: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Potatoes: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Vanilla: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Ketchup: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Buttermilk: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Cacao: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
Feta: www.azurestandard.com/shop/pr...
*The above Amazon links are commissioned links. This means your price remains the same while they send me a small commission as a thank you for sharing what is working in our home. The Azure links are not commissioned, although I do get a bonus toward our grocery budget for each new family that uses any of my links above.

[@Adventuresawait68]

Hi just found your channel and have been loving it! I wanted to share a suggestion on something I do when filling my jars. I put either a flexible silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper under the jar and large enough to capture anything that doesn’t make it into the jar. Then when I’m done, I fold up the mat or paper and pour it into the jar. No waste and no mess 😊

[@thehometownhomestead]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you’re here!

[@susanorris8838]

It was my first time viewing you. If you have a vacuum sealer, you need use it for your big blocks of cheese. I cut into chunks, vacuum seal it, and into the fridge/freezer. Lower cost and you can reuse the vacuum seal bags.

[@thehometownhomestead]

This is a great idea also! I use my sealer for separating bulk meats and such, but not cheese, yet! Thank you for sharing, as I’m sure it will help others too. Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you back soon!

[@jenniferr2057]

​@@thehometownhomestead Cheese stores a lloonngg time vacuum sealed!

[@rustichoney]

Oh my goodness, love your pantry stash! Been wanting to setup a larger food storage system sometime this year so enjoyed this video of ideas! Shredding cheese with the food processor… why haven’t I done this yet?! So smart! And I NEED that hand cream, my poor hands are so dry too! Thanks for sharing!

[@thehometownhomestead]

Confession, I’ve upped my cheese game since this upload. I did Parmesan this week. REVOLUTIONARY! Just chunk it up and toss it in the bottom with the regular blade. I’ll never go back!

[@maryh8230]

LOVE Manuka honey! Thank you for sharing your storage tips.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Me too, and the knuckle that I grated on my box grater last week is thanking me for it too! Thanks for watching! 🙌🏻

[@lindacoats2347]

I saw my Aunt do the onions in ladies stockings (back when they made them). Thank you for all the great advice.

[@thehometownhomestead]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching. Hope to see you back soon!

[@chipcleveland990]

Your channel came up from my interest in sourdough.. we're very happy that it did and look forward to watching the backlog 🙂🤝

[@thehometownhomestead]

So glad you found us, and hope you enjoy! Be on the lookout for a new one tomorrow afternoon. 💕

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

I haven't seen that honey tallow balm but it looks great. I'll have to add it to my next order

[@thehometownhomestead]

It’s really nice! Thanks for watching!

[@graysgram]

Making vanilla as gifts sounds like a good idea. I might just give it a try.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I’ve even had several people tell me they have it as party favors for weddings and such! How fun is that?

[@Nicker000]

thanks for the fun video! never used azure before, picked up some manuka honey tallow cream as per your recommendation. got it shipped as there's no drop locations near me.. maybe I should inquire about starting a drop point. =']

[@thehometownhomestead]

You can absolutely start a drop. The quality is awesome, and there are some perks to being a drop coordinator. 🙌🏻

[@CarriesCulinaryCrafts]

For a much better vanilla flavor you need to split the beans length wise so the beans can flow out. they have much more flavor than the pod itself. It takes some extra time but way worth it. Vanilla is ready at 6-8 months but I still let it go the full year because I always have enough in rotation. 💜

[@thehometownhomestead]

Great info! Thank you for sharing!

[@cassandras1688]

You could consider using parchment paper on a sheet pan to put your jars on when filling. The parchment paper coils make any spills easier to contains TFS your tips.

[@thehometownhomestead]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@sgmarr]

Woah! Bean overload! 😂 I take 1 bean.... 3 months only... maybe that size bottle, I would use 2 beans. I then reuse the beans for vanilla sugar. I usually split the beans down the middles to get more flavor. Lately? I take the whole bottle of RVSOP Brandy and put my beans into it. Because I only buy that Brandy for vanilla. A cool idea I've seen lately, is dehydrate beans after using and powder for vanilla powder.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I had that thought too, but read several places that the best results come from 1 oz of beans to 8 oz of alcohol. I did consider doing less with my next round for the purposes of experimentation, if nothing else. Thank you for the tip! I love hearing the experiences of others. Hope to see you back soon!

[@jenniferr2057]

You can refill and reuse the beans too!

[@angelasmits6098]

Or reuse and make vanilla bean paste. Great for recipes as well.

[@beckyp8914]

Just subscribed

[@thehometownhomestead]

So happy to have you!

[@09echols]

👍🏾

[@DeedsReadz]

What material is your countertop made of?

[@thehometownhomestead]

It’s an unpolished granite. I love the texture because it isn’t shiny and feels a bit rustic. Much to my husband’s amazement, it was the cheapest one in the showroom also. I typically have eyes for the items on the other end of the scale. 🥴

[@DeedsReadz]

@@thehometownhomestead thank you so much! I like it too. Keeping it in mind for when we have a chance to redo our kitchen.

[@kaylawalden4599]

I've only purchased 5 lb blocks of cheese from Azure, but I have the same problem with it drying out quickly. Can you share how long the smaller blocks last? Expiration date wise?

[@thehometownhomestead]

Months and months. That said, last time they were out of the smaller blocks so I bought a 5 lb and vac sealed them after cutting them up smaller myself. That also works to preserve freshness.

[@kaylawalden4599]

@@thehometownhomestead Seems reasonable to me! We don't have a vacuum sealer but I'm leaning towards buying one for things like this!

[@thehometownhomestead]

@@kaylawalden4599 I don’t use it super frequently, but I’m always glad we have it when I need it. It’s a great tool to have on hand.

[@Mrsmetamorphosis2012]

Slice vanilla bean open n u will cut 50% of the time.

[@thehometownhomestead]

I actually have both in my pantry right now and will compare very soon!