From now on, I'm not buying anything unless I need it for a recipe and then only buy the quantity I need. It's amazing how time goes by and stuff just sits in the cupboard. It is stored in glass sealers with tight fitting lids to keep out insects but I guess that doesn't prevent it from going rancid. Out go the beans, couscous, lentils, short grain rice, steel cut oats, wheat (berries?). I use barley (pot, pearl, flakes) nearly every day so I know it's fresh but from now on it will be stored in the fridge, too. What about cornstarch? I buy a large container as I use a lot at Christmas to make shortbread. Will it keep until next Christmas?
It will be nice to have the extra space in the cupboards but I will lose precious fridge space. I hope dried fruit (raisins, dates, prunes) in screw top jars are okay kept in the cupboard.
There is a very good bulk food store nearby so it should be easy enough to buy in exact amounts from now on. Thanks for the nudge to get me going.