Is storing organic food the same as ordinary food?
Organic food is great – you know it’s not laden with pesticide residues, artificial preservatives or any unnecessary processing.
But there’s one feature that many people don’t consider when they buy organic.
Organic food doesn’t last as long as less natural options.
And when you remember that organic foods tend to be more expensive, any spoilage can be very costly.
So here are 6 things to keep in mind when storing organic food.
1 Buy Organic Food in Season
It’s always better (and more green and eco friendly) to eat food in season. Out-of-season fruits and vegetables generally have a longer travel time to get to you, so that can reduce the amount of time you’ll be able to keep them before they spoil.
2. Buy Local Organic Food
When produce is shipped long distances, it is often harvested just a little earlier than it normally should be. That means it will stay fresh longer, but it’s picked before it’s at its nutritious best, so you don’t get the full benefit.
Local produce on the other hand helps ensure maximum nutrient content. Plus, it is also often cheaper. Local is green, and better for storing organic food.
3. Always Wash your Organic Produce
Never assume that the lack of pesticides means organic food doesn’t need to be washed – it can still have bacteria and other substances.
Always wash fresh produce before storing it.
4. Storing Organic Fresh Produce
It’s particularly important to eat organic meat promptly. If you know you won’t eat it immediately, freeze it as soon as you bring it home for optimum lifespan.
Organic fruit and veg can be stored in the usual manner. Use your crisper / dewbin or storage containers in your fridge. If you cut up any fruits or vegetables, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Of course, as with regular produce, some organic food like bananas, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes and onions shouldn’t be refrigerated.
Immediately freeze any excess fruits and vegetables you won’t be able to use.
Make sure all the food you freeze is in airtight packaging. If you’re using re-usable storage containers (green!), make sure to fill them as full as possible, so have a variety of sizes for best results. Any extra air in your container can contribute to freezer burn.
5. Storing Organic Food Airtight
Like normal grains, you’ll want to store organic grains like flour and pasta in airtight containers. But did you know that they will keep longer if you store them in the fridge (up to 6 months) and even longer in the freezer (up to 1 year).
6. Storing Organic Food by Canning, Drying
Canning or bottling is another possibility for organic produce. You can create jams, pickle a variety of items, make compotes, can or bottle fruits and vegetables in water and more.
Of course, do note that the high temperatures in canning can affect the nutritional quality of your produce.
Dehydrating food can also help with preservation. Dehydrated fruits make a great on-the-road snack, instead of processed food items. In addition, dehydrated produce is excellent for emergency kits, camping trips and more.
And a final tip: However you store your food; include a date on all the organic food you store. This will give you an idea of when foods might spoil and which items should be used first.
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Awesome information!