Wednesday, July 08, 2015
(Family Features) Did you know $165 billion in unconsumed food is wasted every year? A little planning – and these freezer hacks – can help lessen waste and save your hard-earned dollars, say the experts at Frigidaire. Here’s what you can do.1. Make Room to Save More – Consumers annually save $750 on their food bill when buying in bulk. An additional freezer provides more storage space, giving you the flexibility to store larger quantities of food out of the way while you keep items for immediate use close by.
2. Designate a Meal Prep Day – You can ensure you always have healthy, home-cooked meals on hand by taking a few hours once a week to prep and cook your meals. Meals that you'll eat early in the week can be kept in the fridge until mealtime. Dishes you plan to eat later in the week can be placed in storage containers and frozen until use. After some practice, you'll be able to work efficiently and prep meals that work best for your family.
3. Prepare for the Unexpected – Power outages can and do happen. Your freezer can be your biggest ally to combat food and money loss due to unexpected and uncontrollable events. To protect the investment you made in your family's meal plan, purchase a freezer with thicker walls that will keep foods frozen for an extended period of time.
4. Find a Bulk Buddy – While you may not need a 10-pound bag of cheese, you probably have a friend or neighbor who would split the cost with you. Make it a date – buy in bulk together, then split the goods with the proper food storage containers.
5. End Freezer Burn – Reduce excess air in storage bags or containers, which toughens textures and worsens flavors. Note, however, that you'll need to leave space in containers that hold soup or sauce as liquid expands when frozen and could potentially crack your storage containers.
Source: Frigidaire
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