Three Rivers Pantry Challenge

Save Money
Not going to the grocery store saves money. Skipping those regular store runs (and the impulse purchases that come with them) quickly adds up.

Cycle Through Food Storage
Pantry staples like dried beans, rice, wheat berries, and canned produce don’t last forever. By intentionally using up what we have, we avoid waste and keep our food stores fresh.

Reduce Waste (and Trash!)
Using what we have reduces the likelihood of food being forgotten in the back of the freezer or pantry. Plus, we produce significantly less trash—fewer packages, fewer wrappers, and less plastic overall.

Stay Out of the Stores
In January and February, I’d rather not drag my kids through crowded stores during cold and flu season. Staying home also helps us avoid unnecessary exposure to illness and hazardous winter driving conditions.

Reflect and Plan for the Garden
This challenge overlaps with garden planning season. It’s the perfect time to assess what we didn’t preserve enough of—and what we want to grow more of next year.

Bonus Benefit: I Lose Weight
Every year I do this, I naturally lose weight. Without even trying, I cut back on snacking and unnecessary calories just by being more mindful about our meals.

Does It Really Save Money?

Yes—absolutely. I have a set grocery budget per month for our family. During the pantry challenge, I don’t spend any of that. I don’t increase my December budget in preparation. I don’t splurge in March to “make up for it.” We simply shift our focus to what’s already in our home and prioritize restocking over time.

But What If You Run Out of Food?
I get this question a lot, especially in times of uncertainty. Aren’t you worried about using up all your food? Not at all. We preserve this food so that we can enjoy it—not hoard it. A big reason I started the pantry challenge years ago was to break free from the fear of running out. Food is meant
to be used. And Lord willing, we’ll grow and preserve more next year.

How We Prepare for the Pantry Challenge
We don’t prep by frantically stocking up on food in December. That defeats the purpose. Instead, we get organized.

Step 1: Take Inventory
Walk through your pantry, freezer, fridge, and cupboards and take stock of what you have. You don’t need exact counts—just a general overview.

Step 2: Categorize Your Food

This helps with meal planning. I break my inventory into the following categories:

• Proteins (beans, meat, eggs, lentils, nuts, seeds)
• Starches (potatoes, rice, noodles, flour)
• Vegetables (frozen, canned, dehydrated)
• Fruits (jams, pie fillings, canned, fresh)
• Sweeteners (sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses)
• Fats (lard, butter, oil)
• Baking Supplies (yeast, baking powder, soda, cocoa)
• Snacks (popcorn, etc.)
• Miscellaneous (condiments, sauces, etc.)

Step 3: Plan Your Meals
I build most meals around four elements: a protein, a starch, a vegetable, and sometimes a fruit or dessert.

During the challenge, I want to make sure I have enough of those four components for 120 meals—two per day for 60 days.

Breakfasts in our house are usually carb-heavy: pancakes, oats, muffins—especially in winter when we don’t have fresh greens or eggs in abundance.

Make It Your Own
You don’t need a massive pantry or a perfect homestead to participate. The pantry challenge is flexible. If you don’t have enough food to go without shopping, set rules that work for your family:

• Buy weekly fresh vegetables or dairy only.
• Limit yourself to a small weekly grocery budget.
• Allow one exception item like bread or eggs.

The goal is simply to be intentional, to use what you have, and to waste less.

Join the Three Rivers Pantry Challenge
Anyone can join! On Instagram, search for the @ThreeRiversChallenge account to see how others are participating. Thousands of families have joined over the last seven years, and it’s so inspiring to share and learn together. On YouTube you can follow the #threeriverschallenge hashtag to see all of the many content creators who are participating. There are thousands of videos to browse.