If you have the room, the best place to store all the above so that they stay fresh-tasting, nutritious, and bug-free for several months or longer is your freezer. Yeast can be used well past its expiration date if is has been stored in the freezer since purchase. Many dried fruits are easier to cut by hand if they are still frozen or slightly thawed. However, shelled nuts will chop more evenly if you allow them to come to room temperature before chopping. If you have a problem with little tiny bugs in your pasta and/or flour, put newly-purchased packages directly into the freezer. (For bread dough, let the flour come to room temperature before using.)

Remember that a filled freezer is more efficient and uses less energy than one which is partially empty, especially if you open the door as little as possible. If bad weather this winter causes power outages, DO NOT OPEN your freezer at all, if you can help it, and your food should stay frozen for several hours. For extended periods of no power, however, you will need to use dry ice or another freezing agent.