August marks the beginning of the end for summer fruit season. Whether you grow your own or pick up berries at the supermarket, this is one of the last chances to enjoy them at their peak.
Rather than let my summer haul spoil before I can eat it all, I'm preserving it now to enjoy through fall and get a head start on next year's spring baking. Instead of turning everything into jam or jelly, I'm reaching for a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer from Amazon.
This handy food storage idea removes excess air before sealing, helping to protect delicate berries from freezer burn and preserve their flavor for longer. It's a simple way to make the most of peak-season produce now. Here's how.
Foodsaver Mini Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Save money by sealing in peak flavor and freshness with a long‑lasting, airtight seal that helps prevent freezer burn, and food waste.
There are countless food storage tricks to preserve the life of your groceries, but vacuum sealing is one of the best. The process removes oxygen from the bag or container, protecting food from freezer burn and bacterial growth, which causes spoilage. It extends the food's shelf life, be it vegetables, marinated meat, or fresh fruit.
The payoff is undeniable. Your food stays fresher for longer, minimizing food waste to save you money and prevent adding to landfills. It also makes for a fantastic meal prep essential, preserving batch-cooked foods without the inevitable degradation in quality after a week or more spent in the fridge.
One of the best ways to use vacuum storage for food is for those items that degrade the quickest, such as fresh berries. Items that might last only a few days in regular storage can be stretched to last weeks or even months when sealed and frozen.
The trick is to wash, dry, and freeze the berries first, leaving them overnight before using the handheld sealer to remove air. This prevents the berries from being squashed when the bag compresses. By vacuum sealing, you protect freshness by reducing freezer burn and save storage space with flatter, stackable packs.
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Alternatively, you can use a vacuum seal container, such as the FoodSaver Marinate Containers, also available at Amazon, to ensure your fruit maintains its shape.
With reusable FoodSaver vacuum bags, I am not worrying about increasing my plastic use, either. Plus, the portable tool fits neatly in my drawer when not in use, meaning it doesn't clutter my small kitchen. It is one of the smartest investments I have made.
There are several great ways to prolong the life of your food. I have curated a selection of the best storage investments you can make for your kitchen to eliminate unnecessary waste at home.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Bentgo Signature 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Set
The 18-piece set comprises round, square, and rectangular lidded containers in a variety of sizes: 1.6-cup, 2.7-cup, and 4.1-cup round lidded containers; 1.3-cup, 2.2-cup, and 3.4-cup square lidded containers; and 1.6-cup, 4.4-cup, and 6.3-cup rectangular lidded containers.
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bags
The Stasher food bags are made from food-grade silicone which help to keep food fresher for longer and reduce plastic waste in the kitchen. They are dishwasher-safe for simpler reuse, too.
If meal prep is your thing, you need Souper Cubes. Beloved by our Ecommerce Content Director, Lindsey Davis, these portioning trays allow you to freeze perfect portions of sauces and soups for quick defrosting and reheating.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
Durable Tritan plastic ensures the containers are resilient even against accidental drops. They are free from BPA-plastic, and are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, too.
LocknLock Flip-Top Pantry Storage Set
With flip top lids, these larger dried goods storage containers are ideal for things like pasta, cereals, and legumes for easy serving and longer lasting freshness.
Airscape Planetary Design Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
Nothing ruins your brew like stale coffee. This coffee canister features a patented inner plunger lid with a two-way valve that forces excess oxygen out of the canister and locks out excess humidity, preserving freshness for longer when storing coffee beans.
Decluttering your kitchen cabinets can also help you gain control over food storage, allowing you to see everything you have in stock so nothing goes to waste.
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