Most green vegetables need refrigeration and high humidity; shake off excess moisture and store them in plastic bags, preferably in a vegetable crisper. Eat them within 3 to 6 days. Cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, beets, turnips, and celery will keep about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Rutabagas, thick-skinned squash, dry onions, and potatoes should be stored uncovered in a cool (60°F), dark place. Otherwise, buy small quantities and keep them in the refrigerator for a few days.
Fruits
Ripe cherries, berries, and tomatoes will keep refrigerated and uncovered for a few days. Most other ripe fruits can be kept in the room for 3 to 5 days, depending on the temperature. Although citrus fruits taste best when stored at 60°F to 70°F, they will keep at cooler temperatures for 3 to 4 weeks. Breads and staples Except in humid weather, bread stays fresh for about 5 days in a plastic bag at room temperature. Because bread gets tough in the refrigerator, it’s better to freeze it in humid weather.
Flour, sugar, spices, and other dry foods, as well as oil, keep best in airtight containers, away from light and heat. White flour stays palatable for 8 to 12 months; whole wheat for 2 to 4 months. Keep enough oil for daily use in a small container; store a larger quantity in the refrigerator. (Cold oil may cloud; it clears as it warms up.) Meats and dairy products Store meats in the coldest part of the refrigerator. They need to breathe, and will keep better if you loosen the store wrappings or rewrap them in wax paper. Roasts, steaks, chops, and poultry will keep from 3 to 4 days; use stew, ground meat, and organ meats within a day of purchase. For longer storage, freeze meat immediately. Refrigerate eggs, milk, and cheeses and use them within a week. (Hard cheeses keep longer.)
Caution: Never taste food that you suspect is spoiled; it may harbor bacteria that could make you very ill. Throw it away.
Wrap or cover all moist foods or liquids that you store in the refrigerator; otherwise the food will dry out and the refrigerator motor may be overworked.