STAPLES              MEATS            DAIRY          CANNED FOODS (opened)

CANNED FOODS             PACKAGED MIXES         TIPS FOR PANTRY STORAGE

OTHER STORAGE HINTS
 
 
 
 

STAPLES
Baking powder	1 year
Baking soda	1 year
Breakfast cereal, ready to eat uncooked	Check date on package 1 year
Catsup (opened)	1 month
Coffee (opened), (refrigerate after opening)	6 to 8 weeks
Cornmeal, regular and self-rising	10 months
Dried beans and peas	18 months
Flour, all-purpose -whole wheat (refrigerated)	10 to 15 months 3 months
Grits, regular -instant, flavored	10 months 9 months
Milk, evaporated and sweetened condensed	1 year
Pasta	10 to 15 months
Peanut butter	6 months
Salt and pepper	18 months
Shortening	8 months
Spices, ground -whole (Discard spices if aroma fades)	6 months 1 year
Sugar	18 months
Tea bags	1 year
Vegetable oil	3 months
Worcestershire sauce	2 years

 

MEATS Fresh beef, lamb, pork, and veal
roasts	3 to 5 days
steaks, chops	3 days
ribs	2 days
stew meat	2 days
ground meat	1 to 2 days
Processed meats (after package is opened)
hams, whole and half	7 days
bacon	5 to 7 days
frankfurters	4 to 5 days
luncheon meats, sliced	3 days
Fresh fish	1 to 2 days
Poultry	1 to 2 days
DAIRY
Butter and Margarine	1 month
Buttermilk	1 to 2 weeks
Cheese (opened) hard cheese: Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan (grated)	3 to 4 weeks 1 year
soft cheese: cream,Neufchatel cottage cheese	2 weeks 5 to 7 days or date on pkg.
Eggs	1 month
Half-and-half	7 to 10 days
Milk, whole and skimmed	1 week
Sour cream	3 to 4 weeks
Whipping cream	7 to 10 days
Yogurt	10 days or date on pkg.
CANNED FOODS (opened)
Fruit	5 to 7 days
Jams and jellies	6 months
Mayonnaise	1 to 2 months
Meats	1 to 2 days
Pickles	2 to 3 months
Vegetables	2 to 3 days
Most fresh fruit is best if used within 3 to 5 days. Apples maintain freshness about three weeks and citrus fruits about 10 days to 2 weeks. Try to use fresh vegetables as soon as possible after purchasing or after picking from the garden. Corn in the husk will only hold up 1 day in the refrigerator. Carrots and radishes will last 2 to 3 weeks, but most other vegetables should be eaten within 3 to 7 days. (Can or freeze vegetables the day they are bought or picked.)
CANNED FOODS
Fruit	1 year
Vegetables	1 year
Soups	1 year
Meat, fish and poultry	1 year
PACKAGED MIXES
Cake mix	1 year
Casserole mix	18 months
Frosting mix	8 months
Pancake mix	6 months
Tips for Pantry Storage: Store food in the coolest area of your kitchen, away from the oven and range. Hot, humid air decreases the storage life of most products. Keep all dry foods in their original containers or in airtight ones. Date your purchases and always use the oldest items first. When selecting canned foods, watch for dents, bulges, or stickiness; these could be signs of contamination.

• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator - it will store much longer.

• To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

• Milk cartons make splendid freezing containers for stocks, soups, etc. They also serve well for freezing fish or shrimp, foods that should be frozen in water.

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