Food storage guide

Leafy vegetables (lettuce. celery and parslev] Before storing ‘emove the store wrap and Vrn off bruised areas Wash In cool water and dralr slightly Water should be clinging to the greens as they go Into the crisper This dater provides the atmosphere

rjf high humldl’y necessary for keeping the leafy

vegetables fresh and crisp during storage

Vegetables with rklns [tomatoes and peppers] ‘Wash dry and c+ore lr a crisper

Frults Wash. ory and store or a crisper with vege~

tables sdch as tomatoes Berries keep better if not tiashea or nulltld until ready to use Sort. ther! store

:>err!es r a loo4v : osed paper bag and store on

refrigerator she,’

Meat’ Meat ISperishable and proper care ISessen

tial to mantair lng its keeping qualities Store fresh

Teat on the int-?rlor refrigerator sheives Refer to the

chart or8 this p.ige for recommended refrigerator food storage tlr,les

Fresh meat, prepackaged by the meat retailer

Store in refrigerator In the original ;Yrapptng Refer fc

the chart follo:\ting for recommended refrigerator storage times

Fresh meat, not prepackaged Remove from the market wrapptrIg paper wrap loosely in waxed pan per or olumtnury> foil Refer to chart on this page for

recommended ,toroge totes

Prepackaged frozen meat Place in the freezer

compartment C’ freezer tray lmmedlately after pur- chase unless it to be defrosted for cooking

Cooked meats (leftovers) CooI wlthiri one to two hours after cocLlng, ther cover or wrap tigt3y with plastic wrap or 4umlnum foil to prevent dryjng, and

store tn the refrigerator Bones may be removed to conserve storage space, but meat should be left ir: as large a piece c:, possible

Meats cooked ‘1 ;lquld for future serving should be

cooled clncoveled. wlthlrl one to two hours, then cov-

ered ana storetl In the refrigerator To speed cooling

when meat ISccsoled in liquid. the pan containing the cooked meat rr#l~y be set where there ISgood circula- tlon of cool air, (” it may be cooled by setting the pan IV coid or runnir g water

Cured and smoked meats Keep uest irj c,rlginal

wrapping After opening, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or a1umlnl.m foil

Cooked meat Wrap or cctier tightly watt- ~)ICIS:IC wrap or alum1nl.m foil

‘Courtesy of Not.1 Live Stock and Meat Board

Cold cuts Store them In theirorlgtnal wrapplng until

you are ready to use. Once the package IS opened, tightly rewrap unused cold cuts In piastlc wrap or alu- minum f01l

STORAGECHARTFORFRESHAN0 CUREDMEAT.

VP@	’	ALpproxlmdo Time
		Wawr)

Variety Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 Chlcken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to2 Ground Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 Steaks and Roasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5 Cured Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to 10 Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5to7 Cold Cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to5

-If meat is stored a day or two longer than the above recommended time, wrap in air tight puckgging and store in freezer compartment.

NOTE: Fresh f#sh and shellftsh should be used the same da\ purchased

Eggs Store wlthout washing In the =lglnol 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 Yore ir> original wrapping until you are

ready to use Once the package IS opened, rewrap +ightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil Store on interior

refrigerator shelves

Condiments Store catsup, mustard, )elly. 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, plastic 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 scirface of the Ice cream This WIII 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