The right container solves a specific problem: an opened bag spills, food needs better protection, or small packages disappear. Measure the shelf and the full package before choosing a size.
Containers for opened dry food
I use a 24-piece airtight set for cereals, rice, beans, pasta, mashed potatoes, pancake mixes, sugar, nuts, dried fruit, and other foods that come in bags or cardboard boxes. After I open them, I transfer them. I do not like open boxes and pouches that can spill or allow pests into the food.
Use a container you can lift, open, clean, and fill with the whole package. Retain the food name, preparation directions, allergens, and other package details you need. I sometimes clip that information and tape it to the container. Empty, wash, and thoroughly dry the container before refilling it.
Bins for categories
Clear bins let you see what is inside. I use mine in the pantry and also in my office, sewing room, and for makeup and hair accessories. Choose a shallow bin when a loose category needs a boundary but should remain visible.
Woven baskets can look lovely. They are an optional aesthetic choice where their contents will still be easy to identify and reach.
A ventilated bin for potatoes or onions has a different purpose from an airtight dry-food container. Use it only where the product and storage conditions suit the produce.
Two kinds of labels
Adhesive labels identify individual food containers. Hanging labels clip to the edge of open bins and identify the group inside. I use both types.
My hanging bin labels are black and came with chalk. The chalk is messy. If I chose again, I would pick the white labels with markers. Keep labels legible and easy to change.
Test the size and access of one container or bin in the intended spot before buying a larger collection. The 24-piece set is useful in my tested pantry; it should come after you know which opened foods you transfer regularly.
Related guides: How to Organize a Pantry by Task and Frequency · How to Organize a Small Pantry Without Buying Everything New · How to Separate Open Stock From Pantry Backstock