Stretch your budget.
The E.G.G. or Ethylene Gas Guardian ($25) is a product that will absorb ethylene, which is emitted by most fruits and veggies. Some types of produce that are sensitive to this ripening agent will spoil more quickly when exposed to this gas. A solution is to separate the items and you can also choose to use the E.G.G. and put it in your produce drawer.
Know how long each of your grocery items will last. For those without an expiration date, there is a handy list on Ziploc's website that gives an estimate of how long different types of produce and meats last when refrigerated and frozen.
Don't wait until the food spoils and you end up throwing it away. Keep in mind the life of each item and eat it based on which one perishes the fastest.
Keep fruits and veggies whole (until you need them) if you want them to last longer. Don't break off a stem, break it apart, or chop it into pieces if you're not going to eat it. "As soon as you start pulling fruits and vegetables apart, you've broken cells, and microorganisms start to grow,"says Barry Swanson, a food scientist at Washington State University.
I have friends who immediately put the bread they buy into the fridge and my mom puts slices of bread into the freezer to make it last longer. If you're not going to finish the bread in a few days, don't leave it out on the counter or it will start to grow mold. The best method is to leave half of it in the freezer and half of it in the fridge.
Even if you're a fan of organic foods, you might want to be smart when you're buying organic. For example, think about how long you take to eat a certain kind of food and choose to go organic based on that because organic foods spoil faster. If you find yourself constantly throwing away grocery items like eggs and milk, make a note of which ones and go for the normal kind the next time you're at the supermarket.
The Herb Savor ($30) from Prepara, which was one of Oprah's Favorite Things, will lengthen the life of your herbs for up to three weeks, according to the website. It's not just a container, this kitchen gadget will keep the roots of your herbs "slightly submerged under water."
