Advice On Storing Food And Leftovers

by JohnG

posted on 06/27/2009

Have you looked in your refrigerator lately? How many containers are hidden in the back that contain unknown food substances that are coated with green fuzz? Or maybe there are black spots growing on blocks of cheese ... or a foul smell coming from a container of something that used to be soup.

They say that more than one-third of the food that Americans buy at the supermarket is thrown out from American refrigerators or shelves because it is not stored properly. That's a lot of food -- especially in today's economy, where so many households are having trouble making ends meet. Here are some storage tips to help you save more of your food, instead of tossing it out.

Choose the right size container
You should have an assortment of containers on your shelves for all types of leftovers so you can pick the proper size for whatever it is you want to keep. Selecting a container that is too large will cause the food to spoil quicker, because the extra air in the container will cause bacteria to form and cause spoilage. All you need to do is go to the "Dollar Store" and pick up a selection of different sized containers and you're all set for any amount of leftovers.

Re-wrap meat and fish as soon as you get home from the supermarket. Instead of tossing meat and fish into the freezer in the same packaging from the grocery store, re-wrap the product in freezer paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. If you are buying bulk or family size packages, re-wrap them in smaller bundles if you are going to use them for just a few people.

Split up leftovers into smaller batches.
Store a large batch of leftovers in smaller containers. It will help it cool faster and also prevent the grown of food-spoiling bacteria. Plus, you only have to grab a small container if you're just going to reheat for one or two.

Clean out the refrigerator once a month.
Make it a point to clean out your refrigerator at least once a month. This is when you will be able to find and throw out some of those strangely colored or smelling items that have been pushed to the back. A useful tip is to use a felt tip marker to put the date of when you first put the food in the refrigerator or freezer. This gives you an idea of what's oldest and what should be eaten first.

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