Food waste
is a major issue that affects the environment, economy and food security. In
fact, according to the National Resources Defense Council, American families
throw out approximately 25 percent of the food and beverages they buy – the
equivalent of about $1,500 wasted each year. As for the major causes of this
food waste, the NDRC points to improper or suboptimal storage, poor visibility
in refrigerators, partially used ingredients and misjudged food needs.
READ MORE: Watermelon prepared three unique ways
While the
issue continues to grow, there are ways for everyone to address these causes
and reverse the negative effects food waste has on the environment and the
economy—and many people are already making small efforts to do so. According to
Glad Food Protection’s Fridge to Fork survey, 87 percent of Americans say they
are taking steps to preserve their grocery store purchases, or are finding ways
to prepare them for later consumption, helping reduce food waste in their homes.
With the coming
of warmer temperatures, fresh ingredients will be in ample supply and proper food
preparation and protection will be essential to keep fresh foods on the plate
and out of the bin. Help combat food waste and keep your food fresher longer with
these tips for properly storing your food the day you buy it:
Fruit
Whole
watermelon should be left at room temperature until ripe then stored whole and
uncovered in the refrigerator. Once cut, store cut watermelon halves or slices
in a zippered plastic bag and refrigerate.
Do not wash
berries before storing. Place in a single layer in a shallow bowl or into the
bottom of a large food protection container lined with paper towels. Cover with
plastic wrap or seal the container tightly.
READ MORE: 7 ways to save money at the grocery store
Veggies
Store whole
heads of lettuce loosely wrapped in a zipper bag. Once cut, lettuce should be
kept in a zipper bag or container. Add a lightly dampened paper towel to keep lettuce
crisp.
If still in
the husk, refrigerate corn uncovered. Once the husk has been removed, wrap corn
cobs tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating. Raw or cooked kernels can be
stored in containers, such as GladWare food protection containers.
Place fresh
whole broccoli heads in a large zipper bag, and poke several holes in the bag
to allow ventilation. To store cut broccoli, remove the woody stems and cut the
rest into florets. Soak in lightly salted water to remove dirt and grit, and
dry thoroughly. Place into a storage container.
READ MORE: Simple, wholesome lunch and snack ideas
Meat
Keep ground
beef in its original packaging until ready to use. If opening before using,
wrap meat or beef patties securely in plastic wrap. Ground beef should be used
within 1-2 days.
Wrap
individual pieces of poultry in Glad ClingWrap, and place into a container or zipper
bag. To prevent juices from leaking on other food, store poultry on the lowest refrigerator
shelf. Poultry should be used within 1-2 days.
Thoroughly
remove excess moisture from fish with paper towels. Place fillets in a
container lined with paper towels. If necessary, stack fillets between rows of
paper towels. Cover with another paper towel and seal container. If possible,
place storage container on a bed of crushed ice inside a larger container. Fish
should be used within 2 days.
Article
courtesy of Family Features