“Which fruits do I keep in the refrigerator (fridge), and which ones on the counter? How can I make my bread last longer?”

Monthly Topic Overview

Oftentimes, we find ourselves peering into the depths of a fridge at a Tupperware long-forgotten on the bottom shelf and wondering, “what was that?” By checking your fridge daily and making sure produce isn’t kept in the coldest spots and leftovers are properly sealed and labeled, you can stop playing “what was that” and fully enjoy the meals you create.

How you store food matters. You can make your food last longer by storing it in optimal conditions and organizing your fridge and pantry. Another essential benefit is that correct food storage helps to prevent foodborne illnesses. 

Reduce food waste with these tips:

• Fruit and vegetables:
  • Apples, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and bananas should be kept separate from other produce to prevent speedy ripening. 
  • Keep potatoes in the fridge, which can make them last up to 3 to 4 months
  • To prevent potato sprouting, keep potatoes and onions separate, and place an apple with potatoes. 
• Dairy: 
  • Milk: Don’t place milk in your fridge door, as the frequent temperature fluctuation from opening the fridge can make the milk go bad faster. 
  • Cheese: Store cheese in a colder area of your fridge in a breathable wrap, such as wax paper, which prevents molding. 
• Bread: Freeze bread that you will not use right away. 
  • We can’t always eat food in time, so knowing when to freeze food can make your food last longer and reduce food waste. 
• Get to know your fridge: 
  • Organize food to help you keep track of food that needs to be eaten soon. Use this “Eat Me First” sign to dedicate a section in your fridge for food that is about to go bad and needs to be eaten first. 
  • Mark opened food containers and leftovers with a date of when it was opened or prepared to help keep track of how soon items need to be used up. 
  • Be intentional and efficient when you open the fridge door, and make sure it is completely closed when you’re done perusing the fridge. This reduces how much cold air escapes, which means less energy demand to re-cool the fridge. 
• These tips were provided by Eureka Recycling’s A-Z Food Storage Tips and Stop Food Waste’s Fruit & Veggie Storage Guide. 

Activity

• Reorganize your fridge and pantry! Try starting with the five most wasted foods – bread, milk, cheese, potatoes, and apples.
  • If you have a loaf of bread that’s been sitting on the counter a little too long, freeze it, or try making croutons or bread crumbs. 
  • If you have milk in your fridge door, place it in the interior instead. 
  • Wrap your block of cheese in wax paper and place it in a cold section of your fridge (toward the back). If you have any cheese close to expiring, freeze it! (It helps to shred it before freezing.)
  • If you have potatoes in the pantry, place them in the fridge to keep them fresh longer.
  • Place apples farther away from other fruits and vegetables to prevent speedier ripening.

Other Resources

• Fruit & Veggie Storage Guide from Stop Food Waste: https://stopfoodwaste.org/media/resources/StopFoodWaste-StorageGuide2020.pdf 
• A to Z Food Storage Guide: https://eurekarecycling.org/resource/a-z-food-storage-guide/
• Cold Food Storage Chart: https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts 
• “Eat Me First” sign: file:///C:/Users/Natalie/Downloads/Eat-Me-First-Sign.pdf
• NY Times how to keep produce fresh: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/keep-your-produce-fresh/ 
• We Don’t Waste food storage tips: https://www.wedontwaste.org/10-best-ways-to-improve-your-food-storage-at-home/

Read more Love Food, Fight Waste topics, brought to you by Table to Table and the City of Iowa City.

Moldy bread, sour milk, and wilted veggies — these are all common outcomes of buying too much food.

Monthly Topic Overview
Reduce food waste at home and save money by following our easy, simple tips on how to shop to reduce food waste:

Before you head to the store…

• Shop your kitchen. Inventory which food items you already have in the refrigerator and pantry to avoid buying duplicates.
• Make a list. What meals or dishes do you plan to make this week? Identify which ingredients you will need and add them to the list.
  • Looking for list-making resources? Check out the many available grocery list phone apps, such as AnyList, Mealime, or OurGroceries. If you prefer a paper list, check out this shopping list template.
• Eat a snack or meal. It is important to avoid grocery shopping when hungry as you are more susceptible to impulse purchases and over-buying.

Once at the store…

• Think realistically about items on sale, such as “10 for $5”. It may seem like a tempting deal, but will you actually be able to consume ten? If not, you could end up with food waste, which results in money wasted.
• Control quantity. To have better control of quantity when purchasing produce items, opt for unpackaged fresh fruits and vegetables. (Added climate benefit: you reduce packaging, too!)

Activity

• Shop Your Kitchen:
  • Before going to the grocery store, “shop” your kitchen and make a list of what items you need. Stick to the list during shopping!
    • Shopping List Tool – Option A
    • Shopping List Tool – Option B
• Don’t Shop When Hungry:
  • Eat a snack or meal before grocery shopping. See if you notice a difference in your shopping habits.

Other Resources

• Serve Smart to Reduce Food Waste (short video)
• Shopping Tips from I Value Food
• Meal Prep Mate from Save the Food
• Guest-imator from Save the Food: This tool helps with large meal or party planning to better estimate how much food you will need before heading to the grocery store.
• Fruit & Veggie Storage Guide from Stop Food Waste: Love Food, Fight Waste will be highlighting food storage in August, but to learn more now, check out this guide.

Read more Love Food, Fight Waste topics, brought to you by Table to Table and the City of Iowa City.