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How to Store Dairy, Bread and Fresh Produce for Longevity

Knowing how to store bread, dairy and fresh produce properly can make a real difference to how long your food lasts. Small changes can help reduce food waste, save money and ensure you get the most from every shop.

This handy guide breaks down how to store weekly essentials correctly – from freshly baked bread and eggs to organic fruit and vegetables and dairy – with simple, stress-free tips you can follow straight away.

Why Proper Food Storage Matters

Reducing food waste at home

At Milk & More, we’re all about helping you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Food waste often happens because food goes bad faster than expected because it has been stored incorrectly. Learning how to store bread, eggs and other produce helps extend freshness and reduce unnecessary waste.

Saving money and shopping more sustainably  

There’s nothing worse than seeing the weekly food shop go to waste. Good storage habits can help with budgeting by making fresh produce last a lot longer.

Making the most of fresh deliveries

Food deliveries bring items like fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and bread straight to your door. Storing these items correctly ensures you enjoy them at their best for as long as possible.

 

How to Store Bread Properly

How to store freshly baked and bakery bread

If you’re wondering how to store fresh baked bread, we’ve got you covered. For crusty loaves like fresh sourdough, opt for a paper or linen bag to allow moisture to escape and keep the crust crisp.

How to store sliced bread

For soft, pre-sliced loaves, use the original bag or a bread box. Keep sealed tightly and kept at room temperature.

When and how to freeze bread

Freezing bread is a good idea if you find yourself with too much to get through. Slice before freezing and store in a freezer bag.

Common bread storage mistakes to avoid

Avoid storing bread in the fridge, as the cold temperature makes it stale and harder much faster. Room temperature is the optimal storage conditions, but if you keep bread in warm or sunny sports that can cause it to spoil faster too.

 

How to Store Dairy Products

How to store milk for maximum freshness

Milk should always be kept in the fridge, ideally on a middle shelf where the temperature is most consistent. While many people do it, keeping milk in the fridge door can cause it to go off faster as every time the door is opened the temperature fluctuates. Learn more about how to store milk here.

How to store cheese (hard, soft and grated)

Wrap hard cheese in wax paper or parchment. For soft cheeses, keep them sealed in their original packaging. Grated cheese should be kept in an airtight container to prevent it drying out.

How to store butter and spreads

Butter keeps best in the fridge, wrapped or kept in a butter dish. However, if you like to keep some at room temperature for easy spreading, keep a small amount out at a time, and store away from heat and light.

How to store yoghurt and cream

Yoghurt and cream should also be kept sealed in the fridge. When serving from the container, use clean utensils to avoid introducing bacteria that could shorten shelf life.

yoghurts

 

How to Store Eggs Correctly

Should eggs be kept in the fridge?

Keeping eggs in the fridge can help them stay fresher for longer. However, for some baking recipes room temperature eggs are more ideal as they mix better – take a few out the night before and use as soon as possible.

Best position in the fridge for eggs

Like milk, eggs are best kept on a shelf rather than the door. Keeping the eggs in their original carton can help protect them from absorbing odours.

How long eggs last and how to check freshness

When stored correctly in the fridge, raw eggs should last beyond their best before date. The best way to check if eggs are fresh is to do the egg float test. Check out our how-to guide here.

 

How to Store Fresh Fruit

Learning how to store fruit and vegetables, starts with understanding what belongs in the fridge.

Which fruits should be kept in the fridge

Fruits like berries, grapes, apples and pears will all last longer when kept in the fridge. Store fruit unwashed and wash just before eating.

Which fruits are best stored at room temperature

Bananas, citrus fruits like lemons, avocados and stone fruits are best kept at room temperature until ripe. However, if they begin to ripen more quickly, move to the fridge to extend their freshness.

How to store berries and soft fruits

Berries spoil quickly if damp. Store them in a breathable container lined with kitchen paper to avoid moisture.

Storing cut fruit safely

Cut fruit should be stored in airtight containers in the fridge and eaten within 24 to 48 hours.

 

How to Store Fresh Vegetables

Which vegetables belong in the fridge

Wondering how to store vegetables? Keep leafy greens, broccoli, carrots and peppers in the vegetable drawer of the fridge.

Which vegetables should be stored in a cupboard

Potatoes, onion, squashes and garlic are best stored in a cool, dark cupboard. Try to store onions and potatoes separately to avoid sprouting potatoes.

Using the fridge drawer correctly

The fridge drawer is a smart place to store vegetables because it controls humidity, preventing wilting by trapping moisture and helping leafy greens stay crisp.

How to store leafy greens

If loose, wrap in kitchen paper and store in the vegetable drawer. If you pre-chop any leafy greens, keep them in an air-tight container until ready to cook.

How to store root vegetables

Root vegetables last longest when kept cool, dark and dry. Avoid washing before use.

fresh fruit and veg boxes

Smart Storage Tips to Make Food Last Longer

Understanding use-by vs. best-before dates

Use-by dates relate to safety, while best-before dates are about quality. Many foods can be safe to eat after their best-before date if they are stored correctly.

Using airtight containers and proper packaging

Airtight containers can help extend freshness and prevent cross-contamination in the fridge.

Planning meals around fresh ingredients

Planning ahead can help to reduce food waste and make the most of your weekly shop. Prioritise meals with perishable ingredients earlier in the week and cook meals like pasta that use tinned goods and cupboard essentials when supplies get low.

 

Reducing Food Waste with Better Storage Habits

Freezing surplus food

Batch cooking and freezing leftovers is one of the best ways to reduce wasted food. Freezing bread, milk and even butter is a great way to save money and do your bit for the planet.

Check out our guides to freezing milk and butter here.

Using leftovers creatively

Getting creative in the kitchen can be a fun way to reduce food waste. Leftover vegetables can be turned into soups, stir-fries or added to omelettes, while stale bread can be turned into salad croutons.

How Milk & More supports lower-waste shopping

Milk & More’s door stop deliveries bring organic, seasonal produce direct to your door. Ordering ahead can help you make more strategic food shop decisions and plan your weekly meals accordingly.

Now you know how to store bread, eggs, dairy, fruit and vegetables, you’re one stop closer to a more sustainable kitchen. Check out our Beside the Pint blog for more meal-time inspiration and book your first Milk & More delivery now.