10 Products That Help Prevent Food Waste

According to an estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 30 to 40 percent of the country’s food supply ends up in the trash.

Food waste is bad for the environment because of all the wasted resources that go into growing discarded food. What’s more, once it’s in landfills it generates harmful methane gas.

Tossing food is also hard on your wallet. Fortunately there are products to help you extend the shelf life of your food and so you waste less.

Best Avocado Saver

You won’t have to toss that sliced avocado when you have the Joie Fresh Pod Avocado Keeper. This BPA-free plastic container keeps avocados fresher longer by slowing the oxidation process that causes them to spoil. It also protects the delicate fruit from being squashed.

Best All-Around Produce Saver

Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Containers get top marks for keeping fruits and veggies fresh via FreshVent technology that regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Just note that the company recommends storing your produce before washing so it lasts as long as possible.

Best Vacuum Sealer

You’ll get months — even years, depending on your storage method — of extra freshness out of a long list of foods with the Geryon Vacuum Sealer. The automatic vacuum sealer helps meat, bread, produce and more last longer in your cupboard, fridge or freezer. This popular model features two sealing modes, digital buttons and LED indicator lights.

Best Wine Preserver

Keep your vino tasting great for up to a week longer with The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver with two vacuum stoppers. Simply place one of the wine stoppers in your bottle of red or white, then pump the saver to extract air. More than 35 million people worldwide use this first-of-its-kind product to preserve their wine.

Best Coffee Preserver

Your coffee beans and grounds will last longer in the Coffee Gator Coffee Canister Stainless Steel Coffee Container. The stainless steel, military-grade canister releases the freshness-ruining carbon dioxide that all coffee emits. Besides noting its effectiveness, reviewers also appreciate the calendar wheel on the lid that lets you record the purchase or expiration date.

Best Bread Box

Extend the life of your favorite bread and other baked goods with the sleek, stainless steel Home-it Stainless Steel Bread Box. It retains the right amount of humidity so your baked goods don’t dry out. Reviewers give this model top ratings for its spacious interior, smooth roll-top opening and protective trim that helps prevent scratches from showing.

Best Food Dehydrator

Long-lasting dried fruit, jerky and more are easy to make with the Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator. It features six drying trays, a digital thermostat and timer, and a bottom-mounted fan for consistent airflow.

Best Herb Keeper

Enjoy fresh herbs like dill, thyme and oregano up to 10 days longer with the Cole & Mason Fresh Herb Keeper. It functions as a fresh keeper for cut herbs or as a self-watering potted keeper for your fresh grown herbs. Reviewers give it high marks for its effective air vents, removable dividers and water level window that makes it easy to know when to add more water.

Best Cheese Saver

The Hutzler Cheese Saver functions as a personal cheese cave for your hard and soft cheeses. Unlike plastic wrap, this lets your cheese breathe so it doesn’t dry out. Place a damp paper towel on the bottom of the saver to give your cheese optimal humidity.

Best Banana Preserver

The Banana Bag Produce Saver Bag by Home-X slows the ripening process so you can enjoy your bananas for up to two weeks longer than normal. Although it’s marketed as a banana preserver, you can also use the durable nylon bag to extend the freshness of many fruits and vegetables.