Groceries across the world are becoming more expensive, which means people are even more invested in making sure that their food lasts as long as possible. Different foods have different shelf lives, but there are tricks you can use to keep foods fresh for as long as you can. If you can keep your food fresh you can save money on groceries and decrease the food waste you produce.

Keep Dry Foods in Airtight Containers

The main problem that dry foods tend to have to deal with is that they can sometimes become stale. Keeping them in an airtight container can prevent them from getting stale and it can keep pests out of the containers. You can purchase containers to keep your dry foods in, or you can buy things like chip clips to keep air out of their current packaging. The main thing you need to do is ensure that you choose a package that can be thoroughly closed so air doesn’t get in and start working its destructive magic on your dry foods.

Keep Your Produce Fresh

Produce is a major issue, especially since most produce has a relatively short shelf life. Different kinds of produce have different needs for ideal storing. Some produce need proper airflow to stay fresh for longer. Other kinds of produce need darkness or cold temperatures. You want to make sure that you keep each type of produce in the right space with the right amount of light and the correct temperature. This will keep things fresh for as long as possible.

Increasing the Shelf Life of Eggs and Meat

For things like eggs and meat, being refrigerated is often key for food safety and longevity. But where you put your meat in the fridge can actually impact how long it lasts. Generally, you want to make sure that your meat is on the bottom shelf in the fridge. This area is the coldest part of most fridges which makes it ideal for meat storage. Keeping meat on the bottom also helps with cross contamination by making it more difficult for the meat to leak on other food items.

If you take care with your food, you can help it to last longer and get used. It’s important to use the right containers, maintain the correct temperature, and even control the light that your food is in. All of these elements impact shelf life, so it helps to have a general understanding of what each food type needs.

Check out this article on why breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all important!