Food storage guide

leafy vegetables (lettuce. celery and parsley) Before storing, remove the store wrap and trim off brursed areas Wash In cool water and dram slightly dater should be clrnglng to the greens as they go nto the crrsper ‘his water provides the atmosphere Jf hrgh humldi+,y necessary for keeping the leafy vegetables fresrl and crisp durrng storage

Vegetables wlth sklns [tomatoes and peppers) flash. dry and s:ore in a crrsper

Frults Wash, a:y and store in a crrsper with vege- tables such as ‘omatoes Berries keep better If not dashed or hulled until ready to use. Sort, then store berries ID CI loosely closed paper bag and store on refrrgerator shell

Meat* .Meat ISperrshable and proper care IS essen- tial to marntarnng I?Skeeping quallt!es Store fresh meat on the Interior refrigerator shelves. Refer to the

chart on this page for recommended refrigerator food storage times

Fresh meat, prepackaged by the meat retailer Store In refrigerator in the origInal wrapping Refer to

the chart following, for recommended refrigerator storage times

Fresh meat, not prepackaged Remove from the market wrapping paper, wrap loosely In waxed pa- per or aluminum foil Refer to chart oh this page for recommended storage times

Prepackaged frozen meat Place In the freezer compartment or freezer tray Immediately after pur- chase unless it IS to be defrosted for cooking

Cooked meats (leftovers) Cool wlthin one to two hours after cooklng, then cover or wrap tightly with plastrc wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying, and store In the refrigerator. Bones may be removed to conserve storage space, but meat should be left in as large a piece as possible

Meats cooked ir liquid for future serving should be cooled uncovered, wrthtn one to two hours, then cov ered and stored In the refrigerator To speed cooling, when meat IS cooled tn liquid, the pan containing the cooked meat may be set where there IS good circula- tion of cool air, or t may be cooled by setting the pan IV cold or runnlnc water

Cured and smoked meats Keep best in original wrapping After opening, rewrap tightly in plastic

wrap or aluminurrl foil

Cooked meat Wrap or cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum3 foil

‘Courtesy of Nat’1 Live Stock and Meat Board

Cold cuts Store them in thelrorlgrnal wrapping until you are ready to use. Once the package is opened, tightly rewrap unused cold cuts tn plastic wrap or alu- ninum foil

STORAGECHARTFOB FRESHAN0 CUBEDMEAT-

Variety Wats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to2 Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 Ground Beef.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2

SteakrandPaasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3to5 Cured Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to10 Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5to7 Cold Cuts . . . . . . .-. . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . 3 to5

‘Ifrnec3ii.sstafedadayortwolon~fhantheabove

recamm0nd&lime,wroph&tight~and store in freezer wt.

NOTE: Fresh fish and shellfrsh should be used the same day purchased.

Eggs Store wrthout washing In the orrgrnal carton or use the egg nest In the door

Milk Wipe milk cartons For best storage, place milk on top Interior shelf

Beverages Wipe bottles and cans Store on lower door shelves beneath the egg nest or interior shelves.

Butter Store dally needs on serving dish In butter compartment. When storing an extra supply, wrap in

air-tight packaging and store in freezer compart- ment or on top door shelves.

Cheese Store in orrglnal wrapping until you are ready to use Once the package IS opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil Store on interior refrigerator shelves.

Condiments Store catsup, mustard, jelly, olives, pickles, etc on door shelves. NOTE: Store bottled and canned items on door shelves beneath the egg nest.

leftovers -Always cover the container with waxed paper, plasttc wrap or aluminum foil to keep food from drying Store on refrigerator shelves.

Ice cream Store on the bottom of the freezer com- partment. Once package IS opened, place a piece of aluminum foil or waxed paper snugly against the surface of the ice cream This will prevent ice crystals from forming

Frozen soups, juices .Store in freezer compartment

Packaged frozen food Store in freezer compart ment or in the full-width freezer tray.

Frozen meats .Wrap In freezer packaging material and store in freezer compartment or freezer tray

Ice trays Place on the bottom of the freezer compartment