Simple Tips to Make Fresh Food Last Longer

Though there are no major shortages of food in this country, canned and frozen foods may be difficult to find due to consumer stockpiling.  Fear not - fresh foods can also be frozen at home. Refer to our chart below to learn how to freeze them.

Plus Here's 4 Tips to Make Your Produce Last Longer:

• Separate and layer heads of lettuce with paper towels - the towels will absorb excess moisture and help prevent premature spoilage

 

• Give your berries a quick vinegar bath - mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar with 3 cups water in a bowl and soak the berries for a few minutes (this will kill mold spores, which can make fruit spoil quicker), then rinse and dry thoroughly
  

 

• Wrap whole cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash in plastic wrap - this minimizes moisture loss and helps keep them crisp
  

 

• Try frozen grapes - if refrigerated grapes don't last as long as you'd like, throw them in the freezer for a sweet, refreshing snack that will keep for months

REFERENCES
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions. FDA. Accessed March 2020.
Demichele, K. How to Store Fruits and Vegetables. Cook's Illustrated. 2019. Accessed March 2020.
Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart.  FDA. 2018. Accessed March 2020.
The Big Thaw - Safe Defrosting Methods for Consumers. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. 2013. Accessed March 2020.

By Kylie Sakaida, MS, RD, LDN