10 Crazy Food Storage Tips that Work!

Sad news America: The U.S. wastes more food than almost any other country in the world. EPA research shows that American families throw out approximately 25 percent of the food and beverages they buy. This means that the average U.S. family of four tosses out an estimated $1,350 to $2,275 in food every year. Imagine the difference we could make in the world if we saved a little more food? (And the difference in our bank account if we could recoup those thousands?)

Click through for easy ways to save money and preserve your fruits and veggies.

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With these daunting statistics in mind, I’ve made a commitment to use every ounce of the foods that I buy, and it’s not as hard as you might think. If you already use stalks for soups and stocks and put leftover egg shells and cuttings in the compost bin you’re off to a good start. The next step – and a fairly simple one – is to make your produce last longer so that you can use it all up in delicious recipes. It’s easy and fun and will make a huge difference on the world and your wallet. Here are my top tips: 

Don’t store fruits and veggies together: Fruits that give off high levels of ethylene (the ripening agent) can prematurely ripen and spoil surrounding vegetables. (Think of the “one bad apple” adage.)

Freeze avocados: Slice them, soak them in lemon juice, toss them in a freezer bag, and use a straw to get the air out, then place them in the freezer.

Wrap cheese in wax paper and plastic wrap: Pat a little butter or olive oil on the rind to keep it moist! On average, cheese costs more than $5 per pound and an average American eats 23 pounds a year. That’s a lot in food waste costs! 

Use a plastic shower cap as reusable plastic wrap: Use it to cover any leftovers. And to keep salad fresh longer, put a wet towel in container of salad and cover it with a plastic shower cap, it will last days longer!

Click through for the last six money-saving tips… [pagebreak]

Freeze wilting herbs in an ice cube tray: Once they start wilting, chop them, toss them in an ice cube tray, cover with olive oil, then freeze. They’ll last for months.

Keep brown sugar soft: Throw a few marshmallows in the bag with the sugar. 

Put a stalk of celery in with your bagged bread: The celery will keep the bread from getting hard! 

Stand asparagus up in a jar with a bit of water at the bottom: Just use a rubber band to keep them from drooping.

Wash berries in a 50/50 bath of white vinegar and water: Allow to dry before storing. They’ll stay fresh longer. 

Make mushrooms last longer by storing them in a paper bag: In this cool, dry place, they’ll stay fresh longer than in the fridge.