How to store food properly to save money

If you are trying to stick to a budget, it’s simply not enough to make a list and use smart shopping strategies. You also need to have a food storage strategy in order to minimize food waste. Wasting food is wasting money. Here’s how to store food properly to save money:

Mindful shopping

In addition to scanning flyers and clipping coupons before you go to the store, adopt some good habits that will help you reduce food waste. Always do inventory before you go to the store, getting rid of any perishables that are past their dates. This will help facilitate your storage when you get home.

When you are in the store, always check expiry dates on products. It’s not uncommon for stores to put a product that is very close or even past the expiry date on the shelves.

In the freezer

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, especially when it comes to meat. You need to have a system in place to make sure that you are going to minimize waste.

Buying no-name is almost always the way to go, but brand-name zipper bags tend to have better quality seals. There is no point on saving on the bag, and then having to throw the contents out because they are freezer burned.

Make sure that you remove as much air as possible from the bag before you seal it and label the contents with the date.  Ground beef can last up to three months; other types of meat and poultry are usually good for 6-12 months.

In the fridge

Be strategic in your food storage in the fridge. Always make sure that the temperature is set to about 5°C.

Store condiments, juice and water in the door shelf of your fridge. Don’t keep dairy or eggs on the door as it’s the warmest part of your fridge. Use upper shelves for leftovers. Keep lower shelves for dairy, eggs and raw meat (to avoid cross contamination with other items). Keep produce inside the crisper where less oxygen will get at it, accelerating waste.