Here are our best professional tips to stocking up your pantry and preventing food waste:
1. Weekly meal planning.
Stock up your fridge and pantry with the ingredients you need to prepare dishes for the week. Don’t forget to schedule leftovers into your plans. One leftover night per week can significantly help you reduce food waste.
2. Label leftovers with a “cooked on” date.
Keep older foods in the front and newer ones in the back. Remember to update the label when you wash and reuse the container. Most leftovers are only consumable when stored in the refrigerator for three to four days after cooking. So make sure to take this into consideration when planning, cooking, and storing meals.
3. Transform leftovers.
Leftovers make great burritos or sandwiches. Have fun transforming leftovers to keep them exciting. We have some healthy breakfast ideas that can help inspire your next breakfast burrito! Click here to read it.
4. Keep food organized.
Organize your food, fridge, and pantry so you can easily see what food you have available. We recommend using clear labeled bins to sort food and spices. Put things that will expire soon closer to the front. Then take one day every week or two to sort through your fridge and pantry. This allows you to see what ingredients and foods are available, and throw out what’s expired.
Don’t have the time or desire to organize your own pantry and fridge? We have you covered with our Sweet Monae Pampered Pantry Reorganization Service. Click here for more details.
5. Properly store perishables, and get creative with them.
Did you know that fruits and vegetables release gases as they ripen that make other produce spoil faster? This is why we recommend you store them separately. Consider freezing perishables (such as milk, fruits, and vegetables), so they don’t spoil before you get the chance to use them.
If you have overly ripened bananas, consider making banana bread or banana pancakes, which you can then freeze for up to 4 months before consuming. Most fruit can also be used to make jam. Find creative ways to store and prepare perishables to prevent food waste.
6. Store fruit out in the open.
Fruit is more likely to get eaten if you keep it somewhere you can see it, instead of hidden away in a refrigerator drawer. Note that certain fruit should not be put in the fridge at all (including, pineapples and melons).
Food waste is a big problem in our country, but it doesn’t have to be one in your home. Now you know that it’s possible to stock up your pantry and prevent food waste while still eating healthy. Use these planning, organizing, and food storage tips on your fridge and pantry! Or book your Sweet Monae Pampered Pantry Reorganization appointment today!