The USDA estimates the average family of four throws away about $1500 worth of food every year, usually because it's gone bad.

I'm NOTORIOUS for over-buying produce and then having no choice other than to toss it.  Here are a few different tips on how to make food last longer (I've seriously been doing 90% of these WRONG!).

  • ONIONS:  Keep them in the fridge in a paper bag. They'll last more than 2 weeks!
  • HARD CHEESE:  Remove it from the plastic it came in, wrap it in parchment paper AND tin foil.  It can last for MONTHS.  (If it does get moldy, just cut away an inch of cheese around the moldy spot)
  • APPLES:  They'll last 10 times longer if you keep them in the coolest, most humid part of your refrigerator (usually the bottom drawer).
  • POTATOES:  If they start growing sprouts, just break the sprouts off.  They actually tend to be sweeter after sprouts have grown!
  • LETTUCE:  Put it in a plastic bag, poke 10 holes in it.  The lettuce should last about 4 times longer.
  • MILK/DAIRY:  Make it the LAST thing you put in your cart at the grocery stor,and/or bring a cooler/insulated bag when you go.  Apparently, even if it's only for an hour, the shelf life for dairy goes WAY down if they're exposed to heat.

Want even MORE tips, from berries to herbs?

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