With hectic schedules, it is almost impossible for a person to go to the food stores every day and buy fresh items for their meal.

As a result, the majority of people go to the store once or twice a month, and then refrigerate or freeze the food items to keep them fresh.

Well, at least they try.

Unfortunately, refrigerated veggies or fruits can only stay fresh for so long before you have to throw them out.

But lucky for you, we have gathered here a list of all the ways you can keep your food fresh longer!

Buy Local Produce

If you want to keep your veggies fresh, get rid of the imported stuff. Buy local vegetables and fruits. They last longer and are less laden with chemicals and preservatives.

Local produce also lasts longer than what you see in the supermarkets. The fruits and vegetables at the supermarket have usually traveled long distances before you purchase them.

Use Paper Towels

Putting paper towels in the salad drawer will help you keep your veggies fresh longer. The paper towels absorb all the condensation vegetables generate when they get chilled.

As water can make your vegetables wilt faster, keeping them dry with a paper towel will you keep them fresh for longer.

Add Some Vinegar When Washing Berries

All of us who have purchased and refrigerated berries know that keeping them fresh for long is a challenge.

Well, there’s a magic solution: vinegar. According to Cosmopolitan, you can keep your berries fresh longer by adding a cup of vinegar when you wash them. This will prevent  bacteria and mold from forming for a longer time.

Clean Them As Soon As You Buy Them

Buying vegetables and fruits and then keeping them away without giving them a thorough wash is a fast track to wilted leaves and rotten fruits.

Clean them shortly after you bring them home. This way you rid them of the dirt and bacteria that could cause them to go wrong.

Keep Apples Away

Apples release ethylene gas that speeds up the decay process for a lot of foods. You should keep apples separate from other fruits and vegetables to get them to last longer without rotting or getting moldy.

Smart Packaging

How you package your foods contributes a lot to their lifespan. Food packaging is one of the necessary steps to keeping your fruits and veggies fresh longer.

For example, you can store your green onions in a jar of water to extend their life. You can also keep your celery, radishes and, carrots fresh by chopping them before you store them in a water-filled container and refrigerate them.

An average American family wastes more than $600 in food each year. Imagine everything you could do with that money! Buy a new dress, some makeup, or give your friends some excellent gifts. But unbeknownst to us, we’re wasting that money.

Hopefully, the tips shared above will help you save some of it and spend your money wisely rather than tossing it out in the form of rotten food.