Food spoilage has been so prevalent in America that more or else every household has already experienced throwing away food. This is a downside affecting so many sectors: the consumer who wasted his money, the farmers who cultivated the produce for the market, as well as the environment.
In research conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service it reported that around 30 to 40% of food supply goes to waste annually. Included in the respondents of the study are retail stores, restaurants, and even the average households.
So if you rummage through your fridge now, more or less, you would probably find food or preserves which already rotted.
While this may be too big of a problem, you can do your share in helping reduce food spoilage. Here are six nifty food storage tips that will not only help the food spoilage problem but will also make your life easier.
To keep your herbs fresh, treat them as to how you would with flowers. You can store herbs such as asparagus and green onions in an upright tall container filled with clean water. Just make sure to trim the stems. Cover the container with a plastic wrap before placing them inside your fridge.
If you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but still cannot fully commit to it, chances are your leafy greens would probably have gone stale. To prevent this, use paper towels to absorb the excess moisture in your lettuce, spinach, and other green vegetables. That way, you can make more leftover garden salads in food containers.
To preserve your fruits and vegetables for a longer shelf time, you do not need to wash them immediately as you take them from the grocery bag. Just store them in your crisp bin, and wash them only when you are about to cook or prepare them. This prevents damp fruits and vegetables, and in turn, lessens the chances of molds growing on them.
To preserve your plump berries and prevent mold growing on them, soak them in three-part water and one-part vinegar solution. This will help kill bacteria. And if you are about to eat your berries, make sure to rinse them and pat dry thoroughly.
Vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli, if roasted, can extend their shelf life. It is also an ideal tip for meal preparations. That way, you can easily toss them in any meal you are cooking.
You may have heard that buying bulk is a wise and practical way of saving money when you are doing your grocery, but it's pretty much useless if your food just ends up in the trash. Here's a wise tip for you to save money and your food from spoiling: make sure to transfer them to an airtight container to maintain and preserve its crisp and freshness. This also keeps bugs and insects away from your food.