2012 CPI Brochure en
2012 CPI Brochure en
2012 CPI Brochure en
Tips for storing food so that it lasts longer and gets wasted less
Why worry about preventing wasted food? Although composting is a great way to
deal with inevitable food scraps like banana peels, it is much better to eat the food we
can than to compost it. Prevention helps the environment as well as our budgets.
After all, it takes a lot of resources to get food from the fields to our homes.
While no one buys food with the intention of throwing it away, based on recent
estimates, the average household in Saint Paul wastes up to $96 worth of once
edible food every month!
Storing your food properly can make it last much longer to help you save money and
reduce waste. Post this on your fridge as a quick reference for how to store some
common groups of foods.
You can also check our more detailed list of food storage tips on our website at
www.makedirtnotwaste.org. Try out a tip. Love it? Hate it? Have a better idea? Log
in so you can rate it and leave a comment, or add a tip of your own.
Citrus Last longer in fridge. Keep in open container in Freeze juice in ice cube trays.
fridge. Store peels and cubes airtight.
Fruits
Melons Ripen on counter. Store ripe and cut melons in Freeze cut up melon and
the fridge. store airtight for smoothies.
Stone fruits Ripen on counter. Once ripe, store in open Peel and freeze, then store Cherries should be kept in the
( peaches, plums, container in fridge. airtight. fridge—follow berry guidelines.
apricots, etc.)
Tropical fruits Ripen on counter. Keep Store ripe in the fridge. Keep Store peeled or unpeeled Don’t put bananas in fridge,
( bananas, bananas on counter. pit in avocado to keep it from bananas in freezer to use for even when ripe.
avocados, etc.) going brown. baking or smoothies.
Cucumber, Last longer in fridge. Winter Wrap whole or cut in damp Blanch and freeze zucchini.
squash squash can be stored in a towel in fridge. Store airtight.
cool, dark place.
Greens Kale or collards can keep on Store airtight in fridge with Blanch and freeze cooking Store broccoli in open/loose
(salad and cooking) counter in cup of cold water damp towel. greens. Store airtight. container in crisper.
changed daily. Better to keep
in fridge.
Vegetables
Mushrooms Last longer in fridge. Store in a paper bag in fridge. Sauté and then freeze in
airtight container.
Root Store in cool, dark place with Keep in airtight container with Better stored in root cellar, Potatoes and whole onions—
Vegetables original dirt on them or in wet a damp towel. Store partial but can blanch, freeze, and no fridge. Potatoes can be kept
( potatoes, onions, sand. No potatoes with onions. onions in fridge with paper store airtight. near apples to help keep them
carrots, etc.) skin on in airtight container. from sprouting.
Stalk vegetables Lasts longer in fridge. Keep standing up in jar of water. Blanch and freeze. Store
(celery, asparagus, airtight.
etc.)
Tomatoes, Tomatoes on counter, unless Keep in crisper drawer. Keep Freeze raw or blanched. Keep eggplant away from
peppers, really ripe. Keep away from seeds and stem attached to Store airtight. moisture.
eggplant other produce. partial peppers.
Herbs Keep basil on counter in damp Put in jars with a little water, Chop and freeze in ice cube Don’t put basil in fridge.
towel or cup of water. covered loosely with a damp trays; add olive oil to fill.
towel or airtight in crisper. Store airtight.
Meat, poultry, NO Keep on bottom shelf of fridge. Freeze individual portions Storage length: Fridge, uncooked:
fish between wax paper and store 1-2 days; cooked: 4-5 days.
airtight. Freeze: several months.
Dairy NO Don’t keep in door, keep in colder Freeze liquid in ice cube trays Slightly whip cream before
parts of fridge like bottom shelf. or jars. Freeze firm cheese freezing so it doesn’t get grainy.
Wrap cheese in wax paper to cubed or grated. Store airtight.
breathe.
Grains Wrap bread in wax paper and Cooked grains. Freeze flours, sliced bread, Don’t keep bread in fridge
(rice, pasta, flours, put in tin. Store other grains breadcrumbs, stale bread, and unless using for toast—it will
bread, etc.) airtight. cooked rice and other grains dry out.
in airtight containers.
© s58y (Flickr)
Nuts Keep airtight. Lasts longer in Keep away from high odor foods Freeze in airtight containers.
fridge. —nuts will take on other odors.
www.makedirtnotwaste.org Quick Reference Guide – Eureka Recycling’s Food Waste Prevention Program ©Eureka Recycling 2012