Best Home Food Storage Tips
When it comes to the best home food storage tips the word of
the day is "stick to the basics".
When you shop look at
the expiration dates on the foods you buy. Grocery stores will
try to sell you the items that will expire first. so the milk
that is right at your eye level and that you will grab first has
the soonest expiration date. The same applies for things like
bread and ready to serve salads. If you plan to use them up in a
couple of days its ok to buy them. But, if you expect your milk
to stay fresh without spoiling for two weeks or more in the
refrigerator then you better reach behind the ones in front. The
back rows of milk will often have expiration dates 2-3 weeks
later than the ones in front.
Keep an eye on expiration
dates. Always use the foods that are closest to expiring. Rotate
food items so you that you don't have foods that are expired
sitting on your shelves. Keep foods fresh. Don't buy foods that
spoil quickly in large amounts. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables
weekly and no more than you use in a week.
Use good
sturdy shelves that are bolted or secured to the wall so that
the shelves can't fall over. Store heavy items on the bottom
shelves and lighter items on the top. Organize you storage space
to make the best use of the space. Label your food containers
and date the foods in them.
Plan your short and long
term food storage and budget your food purchases.
Store
foods in a cool, dry and dimly lighted place. high temperature,
humidity and excessive light will severely decrease how fresh
food will stay. This is especially true for produce and other
fresh foods.
If you don't have a dedicated pantry
consider using a broom closet or other storage area as the
pantry.
Use storage containers that have airtight seals
and are rated for food storage. Trash bins and trash bags are
treated with insecticides and can be toxic especially to small
children and older adults. Don't store foods in paper bags or
cardboard containers. These are susceptible to insects and
rodents. They also do not provide any protection against
moisture or air.
always double wrap foods that you
freeze or freeze them in sturdy plastic containers designed for
freezer storage.
Don't buy foods you don't like just
because they cost less or they are on sale. If you don't like
them chances are you won't eat them.