JPAC’s Kitchen Tips: How to Store Food Better

Every Friday, a JPAC member shares handy kitchen tips to help you improve your cooking habits!

This week, we’re offering some easy tricks to help you store food better—whether it’s vegetables that wilt too quickly, bread that goes stale, or herbs that fade within days. Luckily, sometimes just a few simple steps can extend shelf life and help reduce food waste.

Fruits & Vegetables

Fresh herbs (like parsley, cilantro, or chives) can be stored two ways:

• Wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a sealed container or bag.
• Or store them like flowers: in a glass of water in the fridge, loosely covered with a plastic bag.

With leafy greens, do the opposite: after washing, dry them thoroughly and store them in a container lined with paper towels (change the towel if it gets damp).

Unripe avocados can be wrapped in newspaper with a banana or apple to speed up ripening. Once cut, drizzle with lemon juice and store them with the pit in an airtight container.

Mushrooms should never be stored in plastic! Keep them in a paper bag in the fridge to prevent them from becoming slimy.

Store onions and garlic in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated place—not in the fridge! To prevent sprouting, you can hang them in an old stocking or mesh bag.

Bread & Pastries

If you’ll eat it within 2–3 days, wrap your bread in a clean kitchen towel. If not, slice and freeze it—just pop it in the toaster when you’re ready!

To bring croissants or other pastries back to life, warm them in the oven at 150°C (300°F) with a small dish of water for steam.

Dairy Products

Wrap cheese in parchment or wax paper (not plastic), then store it in a sealed container. To absorb moisture and prevent mold, add a sugar cube to the box.

If your milk is nearing its expiration date, keep it at the back of the fridge (where it’s coldest). Too much milk? Turn it into buttermilk or fresh cheese.

Meat & Fish

Freeze meat in portion sizes. Place the pieces in bags and remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Fresh fish should be eaten quickly. If needed, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it on a plate of ice in the fridge.

Leftover Meals

Let leftovers cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers. They’ll keep for up to 3–4 days in the fridge, or freeze them right away if you don’t plan to eat them soon.

Here’s all of our food preservation tips! Are there any you use that we haven’t mentioned? Let us now!