Bulletin 5
Store Food Safely & Try More Michigan Fresh Fruit
March 12, 2026 - Ghaida Havern
Print
EmailWelcome to Lesson 5 in our 6-part Cook Healthy, Spend Less series! In the previous lesson, you learned how to shop smart for meals, repackage bulk foods, whole grains as a food group, and healthy substitutions in cooking and baking. In this lesson, you will learn about safe food storage and product dating to help keep food fresh and reduce waste. This lesson will also focus on fruits as a food group, explore the fresh fruits that Michigan has to offer, and how to safely freeze foods for later.
Safe Food Storage & Product Dating
Use by date
Many food items have a “best if used by” date on them, which helps you determine quality and freshness. To learn more about food product dates, see this MSU Extension resource.
Use your freezer for leftovers
Rather than letting the remainder go to waste, you can freeze many leftover ingredients to use later. This will help your dollar stretch further. You can also consider doubling (or tripling) single-serving or small recipes and freezing individual portions to pull out for meals later.
Danger zone
Keep food out of the “danger zone” — between 40°F and 140°F— where bacteria grow rapidly. Discard any perishable leftovers that sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or after 1 hour if the indoor or outdoor temperature is 90°F or higher.
Food group of the week: Fruit
Fruit can be served in various ways, such as whole, cut up, pureed, or juiced. You can purchase fruit in several forms — fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. Fruits contain several nutrients that are essential for good health.
Michigan is home to a variety of fruits! From raspberries – to apples – to peaches – to cherries! From the Upper Peninsula, to our headquarters in East Lansing, and down to Novi and Detroit – Michigan’s growing season is the perfect time to enjoy the fresh, nutritious bounty of local farmers markets. Supporting Michigan farmers strengthens our local economy and provides access to seasonal fruits and vegetables that are at their peak from May through November. Looking for more information on all the fresh fruits that our beautiful state has to offer? Discover our resources on Michigan fruits on the Michigan Fresh Website.
Aim for about 2 cups of fruit per day.
If you don’t eat any fruit, start with a small goal and work your way to the recommendation. Try placing whole, uncut fruit on display in your kitchen. If it’s sitting out in the open, it’s easy to grab it for a snack. Make sure you rinse your produce under lukewarm, clean water before eating.
Bonus: Have you ever tried a paw paw fruit? They are nutritious, delicious, and native to Michigan! Look for paw paws in the summer at your local market, you might be surprised by what you like. Learn about safe storage and preservation methods for best quality paw paws. To eat, cut it in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh to consume directly (do not eat the seeds or skin). A Michigan fruit with a tropical taste! Enjoy!
Here are some other ways for eating more fruit:
- Stock up on frozen fruit and make a fruit and yogurt smoothie.
- Cut up a banana to put on your cereal.
- Add blueberries or cherries (fresh or frozen) to your oatmeal.
- Have a fruit salad for dessert or an afternoon snack.
- Use fruit as toppings on your protein. For example, put mango salsa on top of a chicken breast.
Bonus: Did you know that SNAP (and WIC) benefits can be used at select farmers markets and roadside stands? Let’s visit Fulton Street Market in Grand Rapids and find out how to use SNAP with Michigan growers!
Make Time for Movement
Try some Tai Chi warmups this week! MSU Extension also offers Tai Chi classes – check it out.
Bonus: If you have a baby, try this exercise with your baby!
For more movement ideas, visit the MSU Extension Physical Activity Website.
Let’s Get Cooking
Freezing your food when you have an abundance can be an easy way to make it last. This article describes the process for freezing fruit. We also learned about safely freezing leftovers earlier in this lesson. Sometimes, buying a block of cheese can be more cost efficient than shredded cheese. Watch the video below to preserve a block of cheese by shredding it and storing it in the freezer for future recipes!
Featured Recipe
Make the most from Michigan Fresh fruit! Try any seasonal fruit and make a fruit-yogurt pop:
You can also make a delicious parfait with fresh or frozen fruit! For more budget-friendly, healthy recipe ideas, check out the MSU Extension Recipes Website.
Thank you for participating in this lesson. See you at the next one!
