The shared pantry: what to pool and what to keep separate
Good shared-pantry candidates are low-cost, universal basics: salt, cooking oil, flour, rice, foil, trash bags, and cleaning supplies. Agree on the list and the system for replacing what runs out.
Keep specialty ingredients, diet-specific food, favorite snacks, and high-cost items separate. Sharing works best when no one feels they must hide food to keep it.
Revisit the list after a few weeks. If an item creates more tracking than value, move it back to individual purchase.