Fall is a good time to take a quick look through your pantry and freezer. A little checking now can help you use older foods while they're still at their best.

• Canned jars: Check that lids are firmly sealed and look for leaks, bulging lids, or signs of spoilage. Discard jars with broken seals or anything that looks or smells off. Don't taste questionable food.
• Dates and labels: Make sure each jar is labeled with its contents and canning date. Use the oldest jars first, and store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
• Freezer packages: Check labels and dates, then move older packages where you can see them. Plan meals around those foods first.
• Dehydrated foods: Look for signs of moisture or mold. If you find mold, discard the food.

A fall pantry checkup is the perfect time to take stock of what you preserved this year and start planning for the months ahead. My Preserving Planner helps you keep everything in one place, so you don’t have to rely on memory or scattered notes.

You can track your canned foods, freezer inventory, dehydrated foods, pantry supplies, preserving batches, shopping lists, and more. It also includes seasonal produce charts and planning pages to help you decide what to preserve and when. If you’re trying to use up older foods, avoid preserving more than you need, or simply stay better organized from season to season, the Preserving Planner can help make the process much easier.

Choose a few older items and work them into this week's meals. Your pantry will be easier to keep track of, and those preserved favorites won't get forgotten.

Happy Canning!