Food Storage Essentials Delivery or Pickup

The benefit of using plastic or glass storage containers with sealable lids are many. If you don't finish tonight's dinner, you can refrigerate the leftovers in one of these containers to enjoy tomorrow.

You'll also have the option of more long-lasting storage containers, such as Mason jars and canisters. These containers are more often made of harder plastics, acrylic, metal, and/or glass. As these options tend to take up more space, we suggest purchasing them when you have a reason to do so. Some people choose these more permanent containers to protect dry foods from pests or to keep food fresh for an extended time. Here are two examples of containers that you might choose to use in your kitchen:

Whichever you choose, whether it's a permanent or temporary container, be sure that's it is made with food-grade material. Most mass-produced food containers are, but it never hurts to check.

Many situations in which you would use a solid storage container could also call for a sealable plastic bag. However, there are some situations in which you might choose a disposable sealable bag over a reusable storage container. One case is when you want to freeze food. The pliable shape of a bag can often better handle frozen food than a container that doesn't allow much space for expansion.

You might also choose a disposable bag for packed lunches so that you or a loved one don't have to tote around a dirty container. If you're concerned about reducing plastic waste, try more environmentally friendly options, such as paper sandwich bags.

Disposable bags come in various sizes: gallon, quart, sandwich, and snack, for example. If you find disposable bags useful for your kitchen endeavors, storing various sizes to handle different foods and situations is a good idea.

Aluminum foil and plastic cling film can act as bacteria barriers for your food. With cling wrap, you can turn a bowl into a sealed storage container that can hold food until you're ready to reheat it. Aluminum foil is also useful to have around when you want to protect food. However, don't use aluminum foil to store acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, as the foil can quickly change how the food tastes.