According to the World Resources Institute, on average, U.S. households of four throw out $1,600 each in rotten food every year. Wow. That makes my head spin! Even if that number is far less in your home, consider these simple ways all of us can stop throwing our food dollars into the garbage.
Freshness Guide
Fresh produce isn’t cheap, and it’s getting more expensive every day—or so it seems. Now more than ever, it’s important to bone up on how long your produce purchases are going to last so you make sure no fruits and vegetables end up in the garbage or compost.You can count on these items to be generally fresh for:
1 to 3 Days
- Asparagus
- Berries
- Fresh leafy greens
- Peaches
3 to 6 Days
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Tomatoes
1 Week or Longer
- Apples
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Potatoes
- Squash
Don’t Overbuy
The way to avoid overbuying is to have a good, realistic plan for the produce you bring into your house. Make certain you will consume it before it goes bad—regardless of the great sale price or how beautiful it looks in the store or farmer’s market. Simply buying too much is the number one reason that household produce lands in the garbage.
Disinfect the Fridge
I plead guilty on this one. I just don’t think about it if I can’t see a mess. The truth is that anytime something spoils in the refrigerator, it leaves behind mold we can’t see. As a result, this mold attacks the new, fresh stuff you put in there. Disinfecting the inside surfaces of your refrigerator on a regular schedule will make everything last a little longer and smell a lot better.
Extend Berry Life
Soaking berries in a weak vinegar and water solution before you store them in the refrigerator will make them last for several days longer than simply putting them in the fridge. Add 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water. Swirl the berries around for just a few seconds, rinse, and store. Strawberries can last up to two weeks longer using this method.
Foodsaver
A Foodsaver vacuum-sealing machine is a great option for extending the useful life of produce. Food can be vacuum-sealed in bags or stored in specific Foodsaver canisters. However, my favorite method for storing everything from strawberries to tomatoes and everything between is in ordinary glass canning jars.
