How long can I store a food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer?

A food stays fresh longer when it’s kept in cooler places, just like how a cold drink tastes better than a warm one.

Pantry is like a cozy room for short trips

The pantry is like a place where your favorite snacks live. Foods here stay good for a few days to a couple of weeks, just like how you can play outside for a while before needing to go home for dinner. Canned beans, bread, and cereal are happy in the pantry.

Refrigerator is like a cool room for longer trips

The refrigerator is like a special room that keeps things fresh for weeks, like when you pack a lunch for school every day. Milk, cheese, and leftovers stay happy here.

Freezer is like a sleepy room for very long trips

The freezer is like a place where food takes a long nap, just like how your toys rest in the toy box when you’re not playing with them. Foods in the freezer can sleep for months or even years, and they’ll still wake up fresh.

So the cooler the place, the longer the food stays happy! 🍎🧊

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Examples

  1. A bag of chips can last a few weeks in the pantry, but will go stale faster if left out.
  2. Leftover pizza stays good for up to 4 days in the fridge and freezes well for months.
  3. Berries should be stored in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer.

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