fridge/freezer
Refrigerator
Freezer
DAIRY FOODS
Butter
Margarine
Cheese-Hard (cheddar, etc)
Cheese-Soft (brie)
Yogurt
1-2 months
4-6 months
3-4 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
6-9 months (tightly wrapped)
12 months
6 months
6 months
1-2 months
deli salads
3-5 days
Not recommended
deli meats
Hard/Summer Sausage
lunch meats/hot
dogs
EGGS
Fresh (in carton)
Hard cooked
3-5 days
7-10 days
2 weeks (unopened)
3-5 days (opened)
Not recommended
Not recommended
4-5 weeks
1 week
Not recommended
3-5 days
1-2 days
2 weeks (unopened)
1 week (opened)
Veal, Pork: 4-6 months
Beef: 6-12 months
Lamb: 6-9 months
Bacon: 1 month
1-2 days
2-3 months
FRESH POULTRY
Rotisserie Chicken
FRESH PRODUCE
1-2 days
9 months
3-4 days
4-6 months (chicken meat only)
Talk with our produce staff for
Most raw produce does not
specific guidelines.
freeze well.
Generally 3-7 days depending
on type of fruit or vegetable.
FROZEN MEALS
out of your
food
18 months
3-4 days
SALAD DRESSING
2-3 months (commercial)
2 weeks (homemade)
MAYONNAISE
2 months (opened)
2-3 months
Not recommended
D
O
H
k
T
GO
A
FOODS
R
FO
GO
O
A
k
D H E AL
ell
Ce
W
l eb r
a t i o n of E a t i n g
Good Foods
for Good Health
is a “how-to” program that highlights
wonderful foods in our stores and how
they can help you live strong and be
well. Visit kowalskis.com for more
information and recipes.
FOODS
k
k
GO
*Some foods may have package dates that are not consistent with these guidelines.
D
O
R
FO
LEFTOVERS
H
FRESH FISH
getting
the most
GO
O
fresh meat
Whole cuts
Ground beef/meat
Bacon
1-2 months
D
T
Food*
AL
HE
ell
Ce
W
l eb r
g
a t i o n of E a t i n
A Guide to Storing and Keeping Food
How Long Can I Keep This?
It’s a smart question. The answer depends on:
• The type of food
• How the food is packaged
• How the food is handled once you leave the store
Air, light, moisture and heat speed the loss of a food’s quality. Follow
these general guidelines to get the most out of your foods and keep
them safe to eat. Use the following tables for more details.
Cupboard Storage
• Store foods in cool temps (ideally 50 - 70º) and away from appliances
that produce heat.
• Buy only what you can expect to use within the time on the chart.
• Keep foods dry and in tightly covered containers.
• Do not purchase dented cans.
Refrigerator/Freezer Storage
• Keep refrigerator temperature at 34º - 40ºF. Keep freezer at 0ºF or
below. If refrigerator/freezer do not have internal thermometers, place
a refrigerator thermometer inside both to track temps.
• Use foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags or airtight containers designed for
food/freezer storage. Moisture and vapor-proof materials are best.
• Clean refrigerator at least twice a year to reduce food odors. Remove
spoiled foods immediately so bacteria cannot pass to other foods.
• Use foods quickly. Don’t rely on the maximum storage time stamped
on packages.
food safety tips for all foods
• Our natural and organic foods do not contain artificial preservatives to
extend shelf life. The times presented in the tables are general guidelines–natural and organic foods may need to be used more quickly.
• Check sell by/use by dates on food package labels; buy products with
the most distant expiration dates.
• Once home, write the date of purchase on packages.
• Rotate your food on a regular basis. Use the “first in/first out” rule.
• Foods tend to lose quality and nutrients over time.
Remember the most basic rule of all:
When in doubt, throw it out!
cupboard storage
Food
Storage Time*
Baking Powder/Baking Soda
18 months or date on container
Bread
3-7 days (room temp) • 1-2 weeks (refrigerated)
2-3 months (freezer)
Use on day of purchase
3-5 days
2 years (low acid: meat, poultry, stews, soups [except
tomato], pasta products, vegetables [except tomato])
1 year (high acid: tomato products, fruits, foods in
vinegar-based sauces or dressings)
Kowalski’s Artisan Bread
Kowalski’s Sandwich Bread & Buns
Canned Foods
Casserole Mixes (boxed)
9-12 months
Cereal (ready to eat)
Cereal (hot, dry)
2-3 months (opened) • 6-12 months (unopened)
6 months (container tightly closed)
Condiments (ketchup, mustard)
1 year (unopened) • 6 months (opened, refrigerated)
Cookies (commercial/packaged)
Kowalski bakery cookies
Flour (all-purpose, white)
Flour (whole-wheat)
Whole Grains (brown rice,
quinoa, faro, barley, etc.)
2 months
5-7 days
6-8 months (or 1 year in freezer)
6-8 months (refrigerated)
White Rice
1 year
Herbs (dried) & Ground Spices
Spices (whole)
6 months • 1 year (freezer)
1-2 years
Jelly, Jam, Vanilla, Honey
1 year (unopened) • 6-8 months (opened)
Nuts (shelled)
(unshelled)
3-4 months (6 months refrigerated)
6 months (up to 1 year in freezer)
Pasta (dried)
1-2 years (in airtight container) • 6 months (egg noodles)
Peanut Butter
Natural Nut Butters
6-9 months (unopened)
2-3 months (opened) • 4-6 months (opened, refrigerated)
2 months (opened, refrigerated)
Salad Dressings (commercial)
10-12 months (unopened) • 2-3 months (opened, refrigerated)
Soup Mix
1 year
Sugar
2 years (white, granulated) • 4 months (brown)
Tea
18 months (bags) • 2 years (loose)
Vegetable Oil
(canola, olive, corn, etc.)
6 months (unopened) • 1-3 months (opened)
Vinegar
2 years (unopened) • 1 year (opened)
6 months
*Storage times based on optimal storage conditions. Heat, light
and air lessen timeframes. Look at package dating too.
How Long Can I Keep This?
It’s a smart question. The answer depends on:
• The type of food
• How the food is packaged
• How the food is handled once you leave the store
Air, light, moisture and heat speed the loss of a food’s quality. Follow
these general guidelines to get the most out of your foods and keep
them safe to eat. Use the following tables for more details.
Cupboard Storage
• Store foods in cool temps (ideally 50 - 70º) and away from appliances
that produce heat.
• Buy only what you can expect to use within the time on the chart.
• Keep foods dry and in tightly covered containers.
• Do not purchase dented cans.
Refrigerator/Freezer Storage
• Keep refrigerator temperature at 34º - 40ºF. Keep freezer at 0ºF or
below. If refrigerator/freezer do not have internal thermometers, place
a refrigerator thermometer inside both to track temps.
• Use foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags or airtight containers designed for
food/freezer storage. Moisture and vapor-proof materials are best.
• Clean refrigerator at least twice a year to reduce food odors. Remove
spoiled foods immediately so bacteria cannot pass to other foods.
• Use foods quickly. Don’t rely on the maximum storage time stamped
on packages.
food safety tips for all foods
• Our natural and organic foods do not contain artificial preservatives to
extend shelf life. The times presented in the tables are general guidelines–natural and organic foods may need to be used more quickly.
• Check sell by/use by dates on food package labels; buy products with
the most distant expiration dates.
• Once home, write the date of purchase on packages.
• Rotate your food on a regular basis. Use the “first in/first out” rule.
• Foods tend to lose quality and nutrients over time.
Remember the most basic rule of all:
When in doubt, throw it out!
cupboard storage
Food
Storage Time*
Baking Powder/Baking Soda
18 months or date on container
Bread
3-7 days (room temp) • 1-2 weeks (refrigerated)
2-3 months (freezer)
Use on day of purchase
3-5 days
2 years (low acid: meat, poultry, stews, soups [except
tomato], pasta products, vegetables [except tomato])
1 year (high acid: tomato products, fruits, foods in
vinegar-based sauces or dressings)
Kowalski’s Artisan Bread
Kowalski’s Sandwich Bread & Buns
Canned Foods
Casserole Mixes (boxed)
9-12 months
Cereal (ready to eat)
Cereal (hot, dry)
2-3 months (opened) • 6-12 months (unopened)
6 months (container tightly closed)
Condiments (ketchup, mustard)
1 year (unopened) • 6 months (opened, refrigerated)
Cookies (commercial/packaged)
Kowalski bakery cookies
Flour (all-purpose, white)
Flour (whole-wheat)
Whole Grains (brown rice,
quinoa, faro, barley, etc.)
2 months
5-7 days
6-8 months (or 1 year in freezer)
6-8 months (refrigerated)
White Rice
1 year
Herbs (dried) & Ground Spices
Spices (whole)
6 months • 1 year (freezer)
1-2 years
Jelly, Jam, Vanilla, Honey
1 year (unopened) • 6-8 months (opened)
Nuts (shelled)
(unshelled)
3-4 months (6 months refrigerated)
6 months (up to 1 year in freezer)
Pasta (dried)
1-2 years (in airtight container) • 6 months (egg noodles)
Peanut Butter
Natural Nut Butters
6-9 months (unopened)
2-3 months (opened) • 4-6 months (opened, refrigerated)
2 months (opened, refrigerated)
Salad Dressings (commercial)
10-12 months (unopened) • 2-3 months (opened, refrigerated)
Soup Mix
1 year
Sugar
2 years (white, granulated) • 4 months (brown)
Tea
18 months (bags) • 2 years (loose)
Vegetable Oil
(canola, olive, corn, etc.)
6 months (unopened) • 1-3 months (opened)
Vinegar
2 years (unopened) • 1 year (opened)
6 months
*Storage times based on optimal storage conditions. Heat, light
and air lessen timeframes. Look at package dating too.
fridge/freezer
Refrigerator
Freezer
DAIRY FOODS
Butter
Margarine
Cheese-Hard (cheddar, etc)
Cheese-Soft (brie)
Yogurt
1-2 months
4-6 months
3-4 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
6-9 months (tightly wrapped)
12 months
6 months
6 months
1-2 months
deli salads
3-5 days
Not recommended
deli meats
Hard/Summer Sausage
lunch meats/hot
dogs
EGGS
Fresh (in carton)
Hard cooked
3-5 days
7-10 days
2 weeks (unopened)
3-5 days (opened)
Not recommended
Not recommended
4-5 weeks
1 week
Not recommended
3-5 days
1-2 days
2 weeks (unopened)
1 week (opened)
Veal, Pork: 4-6 months
Beef: 6-12 months
Lamb: 6-9 months
Bacon: 1 month
1-2 days
2-3 months
FRESH POULTRY
Rotisserie Chicken
FRESH PRODUCE
1-2 days
9 months
3-4 days
4-6 months (chicken meat only)
Talk with our produce staff for
Most raw produce does not
specific guidelines.
freeze well.
Generally 3-7 days depending
on type of fruit or vegetable.
FROZEN MEALS
out of your
food
18 months
3-4 days
SALAD DRESSING
2-3 months (commercial)
2 weeks (homemade)
MAYONNAISE
2 months (opened)
2-3 months
Not recommended
D
O
H
k
T
GO
A
FOODS
R
FO
GO
O
A
k
D H E AL
ell
Ce
W
l eb r
a t i o n of E a t i n g
Good Foods
for Good Health
is a “how-to” program that highlights
wonderful foods in our stores and how
they can help you live strong and be
well. Visit kowalskis.com for more
information and recipes.
FOODS
k
k
GO
*Some foods may have package dates that are not consistent with these guidelines.
D
O
R
FO
LEFTOVERS
H
FRESH FISH
getting
the most
GO
O
fresh meat
Whole cuts
Ground beef/meat
Bacon
1-2 months
D
T
Food*
AL
HE
ell
Ce
W
l eb r
g
a t i o n of E a t i n
A Guide to Storing and Keeping Food