Proper food storage is essential for maximizing grocery value and minimizing waste, especially as grocery prices continue to rise. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average household wastes over 100 pounds of food annually, costing nearly $3,000. NBC News’ Vicky Nguyen consulted Consumer Reports Deputy Home Editor Paul Hope for effective food storage strategies to help extend shelf life and reduce spoilage.
### Refrigerator Storage Guidelines
Using your refrigerator correctly can significantly reduce waste. Hope emphasizes knowing which shelves to utilize:
- **Bottom Shelf**: This shelf is the coldest and ideal for milk, eggs, fresh meat, and poultry, helping them last longer.
- **Middle Shelf**: With moderate temperatures, this shelf is best for fruits.
- **Top Shelf and Door Pockets**: These warmer areas suit stable items like butter, condiments, peanut butter, jelly, and yogurt, the latter of which is safe in slightly warmer conditions due to its fermentation.
- **Deli Bin**: This cooler section is great for sandwich meats, bacon, and cheese.
- **Crisper Bin**: Set to high humidity, this bin prolongs the freshness of leafy greens.
### Tips for Storing Fruits and Vegetables
Maximizing the life of fruits and vegetables is crucial, as they can be costly when out of season. Here are key tips:
- **Separate Fruits and Vegetables**: Keep them apart since many fruits emit ethylene gas, which accelerates spoilage of vegetables. For example, store potatoes in a dark drawer away from garlic or onions to prevent premature sprouting.
- **Avoid Washing Before Storage**: Moisture on produce can lead to spoilage. Hope advises against rinsing fruits and vegetables before refrigerating them.
- **Different Storage Needs**: Not all produce can be stored identically. Store strawberries unstemmed in a towel-lined, sealed container, while bananas and tomatoes should be kept out of the fridge.
### Additional Storage Insights
- **Avoid Refrigerating Bread and Coffee**: Bread stays fresher outside the fridge, and coffee can absorb odors from other foods, affecting its flavor.
- **Understanding Dates**: Don’t automatically discard items past their Sell By or Use By dates.
Many foods remain safe for consumption beyond these dates if they pass a smell test. For items like ground beef, cooking them can extend their shelf life for a few days beyond the Use By date. If not used by then, freezing is recommended.
