Weekly groceries have now become too expensive and shoppers are now much eager to find ways to minimise food wastage. Find out some of the secrets to keep fresh produce for longer used by supermarkets
We’ve all experienced the frustration of having to throw away food that has gone bad – sometimes even just days after purchasing it.
However, proper food storage doesn’t require much effort, and with a few simple techniques, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your groceries. Supermarkets use various methods to keep food fresh for longer periods, and many of these strategies can be easily replicated at home.
One of the simplest ways to keep food fresher for longer is to refrigerate them as soon as possible. Storing food at the correct temperature helps slow the growth of bacteria. However, it’s also important to avoid refrigerating foods that don’t need to be kept cold, as this can be unnecessary and take up valuable fridge space. For example, foods like potatoes, onions, and certain fruits (such as bananas and tomatoes) last longer when stored at room temperature.
Other ways can include storing opened food packages in airtight containers. For example, transferring cereal into a sealed container after opening the box helps keep it crisp and prevents moisture from making it stale.
The same applies to dried pasta, which can lose its flavour when exposed to air. Using airtight containers is not only a great way to preserve food but also helps keep your kitchen organised and avoids it from getting messy.
But how do supermarkets keep their produce for a longer period?
Vegetables and paper towels
Vegetables and leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and parsley, tend to accumulate excess moisture, which can lead to a slimy residue which can lead to them going bad. To prevent this, wrap them in paper towels before storing them in the fridge. The paper towels will absorb moisture, keeping the vegetables crisp and fresh for a longer period.
Follow the ‘First In, First Out’ rule
A key supermarket trick for reducing food waste is following the ‘FIFO’ rule, which means ‘First In, First Out.’ This is done by placing newly purchased groceries at the back of the fridge while keeping older items at the front.
By doing this, you ensure that older food is used up before it expires, reducing waste and avoiding unnecessary confusion when selecting what to eat first.
Bananas in plastic wrap
Fruits tend to spoil quickly, especially bananas. However, you can extend their freshness by wrapping them in plastic wrap. This helps reduce the release of ethylene gas, which causes ripening. You can do this at home by using cling film to wrap bananas.
By incorporating these simple storage techniques into your daily routine, you can prevent food wastage and save money. With just a little planning and organisation, keeping food fresh for longer becomes an easy and effective habit – and it’s not that hard to do!
