Summer can be a challenging time to keep your food at its best, whether you’re storing it in your pantry or fridge, or bringing it with you on a picnic.

However, with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can stay cool and keep your food fresh and delicious all summer long. In this article, we’ll share some food buying and maintenance tips to help you do just that.

1. Shop Smart

The first step in keeping your food fresh in the summer is to shop smart. Avoid buying perishable items in bulk, particularly those that are sensitive to temperature changes, such as dairy products, meats, and eggs.

Instead, try to shop at a store that specializes in fresh produce, where you can purchase only what you need, and where the turnover is high, ensuring that the produce is always fresh.

2. Keep it Cool

The next step in keeping your food fresh all summer long is to keep it cool. Keep your fridge at the appropriate temperature, which is around 40°F, to ensure that your food stays fresh for as long as possible.

When you’re transporting food to a picnic or barbecue, make sure you keep it in a cooler with plenty of ice packs or ice to keep it at the right temperature.

3. Store Food Properly

In addition to keeping your food cool, it’s important to store it properly. Store your produce in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh for longer. For example, store tomatoes stem side down to prevent them from spoiling too quickly.

When storing food in the fridge, be sure to keep meat, fish, and poultry on the bottom shelf to prevent any drippings from contaminating other foods.

4. Be Mindful of Expiration Dates

Another way to keep your food fresh is to be mindful of its expiration date. Don’t buy more than you need, and be sure to use up any foods that are close to their expiration date.

If possible, try to buy foods that are already close to their expiration date, as they are often sold at a discount and can still be perfectly good for several more days or even a week or two.

5. Freeze Your Food

Freezing your food can be a great way to keep it fresh for longer. For example, if you have a surplus of fresh berries or vegetables, freeze them in a sealed bag or container to use later in smoothies or stir-fries.

Freeze meats in portions so that you can easily defrost only what you need for a meal. Just be sure to label and date your frozen food to keep track of what’s what.

6. Use Up Leftovers

Finally, to avoid wasting food and money, be sure to use up your leftovers. Try to plan meals in advance so that you can use up any ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.

Use leftovers from one meal to make another meal, such as using leftover chicken to make a salad or sandwich.

Conclusion

Summer can be a challenging time to keep your food fresh and delicious, but with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can stay cool and keep your food at its best.

By shopping smart, keeping your food cool, storing it properly, being mindful of expiration dates, freezing your food, and using up leftovers, you can keep your food fresh and tasty all summer long.