Overcrowd

Statistics show that households in the USA throw $2,000 of spoiled food in the garbage each year on average. In these trying financial times, there is even more pressure to avoid this waste. Fortunately, there are some practical ways to keep your food fresher for longer. Make Sure Everything is in the Right Place Many of us have a habit of simply putting items in the refrigerator wherever they will fit. Unfortunately, this can compromise your produce lifespan. There are actually zones in your refrigerator, which provide optimum conditions for particular items, so you need to become familiar with the right place for each item. The temperature in the door compartments can fluctuate, so it is important that any items are resistant to spoiling. Many people place milk and cheese in the door, but this can be a mistake, as it is also the warmest spot in your refrigerator. So, you could be reducing the lifespan of your dairy and other delicate products. The door compartments should be reserved for items such as condiments, soda, juice, bottled water, and other items that can withstand the temperature fluctuations. The top shelves provide the most consistent temperatures, so you should put items that don’t need reheating or to be cooked on these shelves. For example, olives, deli meat, hummus, and even berries should be placed here. The lower shelves are the coldest place in your refrigerator, so this is the place for more sensitive items. This is the place to put eggs,