Ten Things To Know About Keeping Food Fresh

Reducing food waste is a great money saver. Here are ten things to know about preserving your perishables to save money.

1. Use a vacuum sealer. This is a great way to virtually eliminate freezer burn, enabling food to stay fresh in the freezer for much longer.

2. Learn about the effects of ethylene on produce. Ethylene is a gas naturally produced by fruit and vegetables as they ripen. Some foods are more sensitive than others, and if stored in an air tight crisper drawer where the ethylene is trapped, will spoil faster. Store ethylene sensitive foods and ethylene producing foods separately (example: store apples on the counter - they are high ethylene producers and should be kept where the air can circulate).

3. Don't wash vegetables before storing. If they are wet (from being misted at the store) pat them dry before putting them in the fridge.

4. Milk stays fresh longer in glass containers than in paper or plastic.

5. Store eggs in the back of the fridge where it's coldest - not in the door egg keeper.

6. Eggs will stay fresh longer if stored pointed side down.

7. Eggs need to breathe - never store them in the plastic egg container that comes with your fridge - leave them in their Styrofoam or cardboard container.

8. Store bricks of cheese with 2 or 3 sugar cubes to delay the onset of mold.

9. Store dry ingredients (flour, oxo, pastas, grains, etc.) in airtight containers to keep them fresher and to keep the bugs out.

10. When storing cut up produce in the fridge, add a paper towel to the bag or container to absorb excess moisture.