These pro tips from Southern chefs and the USDA will help you waste less and save more.
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here are seven tips to prevent food spoilage, according to experts.
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Instead, start with dinner.
Before you grocery shop, plan yourweeknight dinners.
Velie explains how its done: Take whole chicken for example.
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It makes for a great dinner on Mondayroastedand served with a vegetable and bread, he says.
Or if youre craving alazy dinner idea, grab a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket.
Any leftover meat can be pulled and become the base fortacoson Tuesday.
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Even the bones can be used to make astock for soupon Wednesday.
You now have three meals created from one chicken.
in Nashville, Tennessee.
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But if only it were so simple, right?
Now that you have your dinner agenda all set, you might shop with more direction.
Build yourshopping listwith the ingredients youll need for all of the dinners you plan to whip up at home.
As a refresher, the USDA recommends that younever wash raw meat or poultry.
The only exception isbananas.
For all other fresh produce items, theUSDAsuggests washing just before use.
“Excess moisture will accelerate bacteria growth or rot, Paquette says.
Bacteria naturally love fresh produce.
Think about it: fruits and vegetables have natural moisture and nutrients that bacteria love.
But most items and all cooked and cut foods should be refrigerated.
The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 F or below, per theUSDA.
Keep in mind that your refrigerator is a fairly small, contained space.
Bacteria and mold on rotten food willspread to other items nearby.
I like to say bacteria and mold have suitcases and will travel, Paquette laughs.
If we overbuy an item or our garden is very bountiful, we will freeze that particular thing.
Our editors are huge proponents of this strategy.
(The other 96% lands in landfills, the sewer system, or combustion facilities.)
We promise that composting is not as difficult or as messy as it sounds.
And if not, consider a countertop composter from a brand like Lomi or Vitamix.
Its a circular thing, where the food spoilage is actually something you are harnessing for good.
