Hello everyone! Thanks so much for your input. To answer some of your questions: I have been keeping flour in the freezer for some time now. I don't do much baking, and even less frying, so I find it keeps so much longer in the freezer. And, yes I know that a bay leaf in the flour canister helps deter those nasty bugs. This just frees up counter space and is just as handy. Note: Be sure and let your flour come up to room temperature before trying to bake with it! Even though I live in a REALLY small town (800 people), we are fortunate enough to have a grocery store. I try to do most of my shopping there but will go once a month to Algona (20 miles away) to pick up things I can't find here. Also, at least once a month I go to Aldi's in Fort Dodge (40 miles away) to pick up cheap staples (or when they offer seafood like lobster or scallops). This whole personal challenge came about because I had just thrown out an entire chicken that went bad in my refrigerator waiting to be cooked. This wastefullness almost made me sick. It definitely made me mad, so I decided not to buy ANOTHER THING until I used up some of what I already had. Like most people I'm, shall we say, "well stocked" so this challenge won't be a particular hardship. Plus, it's summertime here in Iowa and my garden is growing like mad. But, when you can't even find the bottom of your freezer, it's time to do SOMETHING before loosing everything in there. I got a Food Saver for Christmas, so at the very least, I need to get some of this stuff vacuum packed before I start harvesting this years vegetables. Hope this helps. Keep the comments coming! And, yes, asparagus comes in cans. LOL