Groceries GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR
Smart tips to make food last longer
BE SAVVY ABOUT EXPIRATION DATES
“A costly mistake? Tossing out ‘expired’ food—some grocery items can last longer than their expiration date suggests. For example: Fresh in-shell eggs will keep three to five weeks past the sell-by date if stored in the fridge below 40°F. Stored in a cool, dry pantry, store-bought bread can last up to 18 days after its sell-by date. Check the FoodKeeper app (FoodSafety.gov) for more information.”
— KIMBERLY BAKER, food systems and safety program team director at Clemson University
DIVVY UP PRODUCE
“To prolong the life of vegetables, the first thing I do when I return home from the market is remove them from the packaging. I then store them in clean, dry kitchen towels that allow just enough moisture to keep the vegetables crisp and vibrant. I bunch squash and a bag of carrots in one and large salad greens in another. Precut lettuce gets stored in a plastic zip-top bag with a paper towel inside to absorb any moisture. Also smart: Keep the tops of bananas tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent them from ripening too quickly.”
—PALAK PATEL,
chef at the Institute of Culinary Education
FREEZE EXTRA DAIRY ITEMS “When it comes to dairy, you can save money by stocking up when the price is low, then freezing it all. This allows you to take advantage of good prices on staples like milk or more expensive cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar. Milk can last for three months in the freezer—just note that it expands when frozen, so leave some room in the container to keep it from bursting. To freeze cheese: Cut it into small portions and place in tightly sealed plastic bags. Thaw in the fridge overnight as needed.”
—SARA LUNDBERG,
author of Budget Savvy Diva’s Guide to Slashing Your Grocery Bill by 50% or More
DESIGNATE SPECIAL SHELF SPACE
“One of the reasons food like deli-sliced meat or rotisserie chicken can go bad is that you forget it’s there. To combat this, get in the habit of organizing your shelves according to the First In, First Out (FIFO) principle. When you’re putting away your groceries, put the newer items behind the older ones on the shelf (this goes for leftovers too). That way, you’re more likely to grab the oldest food items first, reducing the chance they’ll go bad before you can eat them. You can slash your grocery bill by hundreds annually by incorporating FIFO!”
— JANILYN HUTCHINGS, food safety professional
at StateFoodSafety.com