How to Store Fresh Foods

Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.
Cadet Maxim

 

How to Store Fresh Foods

Overview

One of the key principles behind proper nutrition is eating clean. This means kicking fast food and packaged products to the curb. Your next challenge: keeping fresh food fresh. Unprocessed foods go bad faster than processed products, and spoiled food means wasted money. Use these simple tips to keep your food fresher, longer.

General Storage Tips

1. Keep refrigerator clean at all times. Clean up spills immediately.
2. Line drawers with paper towels and change them regularly.
3. Wipe all moisture from fruits and vegetables before refrigerating them.
4. Remove fruits and vegetables from plastic bags and store them in produce bags.
5. Label all leftovers, meat, and dairy products with dates.
6. Store fruits and vegetables separately.
7. Store raw food below cooked foods.
8. Keep your refrigerator at 40º F. Put a thermometer in the refrigerator to get an idea of the true temperate inside the refrigerator.

Shelf Organization

To keep your foods fresh (and safe for your family), use the guide below. For smaller refrigerators, store ready-to-eat and cooked foods on the top shelf and tier down as much as possible. Always store poultry on the bottom shelf.
Top Shelf: ready-to-eat foods, fully-cooked foods
Second Shelf: raw seafood, fish, eggs
Third Shelf: whole beef (steak)
Fourth Shelf: raw pork (ham, bacon, etc.) – I don’t have a need for a fourth shelf : )
Fifth Shelf: raw ground meat
Bottom Shelf: poultry
Door: condiments, bottled drinks

Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance. Calvin Coolidge