How to Store Bulk Food Purchases

Store dry beans, lentils or peas in glass jars in a cool, dry place.

Purchasing food in bulk often costs less than purchasing the same foods prepackaged in family size containers, but it also poses a challenge for storage. How you store your bulk foods makes the difference in the shelf life and quality of the food and may affect its safety, as well. Knowing how to store each type of food to ensure safety and preserve quality is vital if you choose to purchase food in bulk.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mason jars
• Airtight containers
• Freezer containers

1. Repackage meats into meal-sized packages, place in freezer bags and store in the freezer unless you intend to eat them within a day or two. Storage time depends on the specific meat and ranges from one to two months for sausage and hot dogs to up to a year for chicken and beef.

2. Store dried beans, lentils, peas and other legumes in an airtight container. Mason jars work well, but seal them tightly to prevent moisture from entering the jars. Place in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight for best results.

3. Repackage baking supplies, such as flour, cornmeal or bread mixes in airtight containers. Plastic bins or buckets work well, as long as they are airtight. Store these items in the pantry out of direct sunlight.

4. Freeze baked goods, such as breads, muffins, cookies and pies in airtight containers. Quality declines with age, but freeze for two to four months without loss of flavor.

5. Keep fruit fruits and vegetables or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, depending on the fruit. To freeze fresh fruits and vegetables, pare and cut into bite-size pieces, blanch in boiling water and freeze for up to a year. Freeze some fruits, such as berries, in sugar syrup and do not blanch.

6. Store all dairy products in the freezer. Butter and margarine retain flavor and texture for up to a year, while cheeses keep well for two to four months. Milk products maintain flavor for one to three months.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your freezer temperature below zero degrees F. The Utah State University Extension office explains that any plastic bottles labeled as "PET" or "PETE" (often found on the bottom of the bottle) can be used safely to store food, as long as their original content was a food product. Wash and dry thoroughly before using and seal tightly to preserve quality and flavor.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Food Storage for Safety and Quality; P. Kendall, et al; February 2007
• Virginia State University Extension; Food Storage Guidelines for Consumers; Renee Boyer; May 2009
• Utah State University Extension: Food Storage Packaging

Resources

• University of Georgia Extension; Preparing an Emergency Food Supply; Judy Harrison.