I picked up my produce co-op last week. We spent part of the weekend utilizing our food saver to extend the life of our produce! We were able to bag and freeze 5 bags of red peppers, 3 bags of mushrooms, 3 bags of broccoli, 6 bags of green beans, 1 bag of chopped onion and 2 bags of corn all using the food saver. By stockpiling produce through the co-op and utilizing your freezer and food saver this is a great way to save money! Often times we don't think of freezing vegetables because it can alter the texture. However by freezing produce you can easily use it in casseroles, the slow cooker or soups and stews.
If you are new to using the food saver to extend the life of your stockpile I suggest checking out our Stockpiling 101 - Foodsaver and Stockpiling. You may also want to check out my post on Tips for Successful Produce Co-op, including how to find one! I have really enjoying being a member of the produce co-op. It has been a way for my family to try new produce that we might not normally purchase and it has also enabled us to save money. By using the food saver we took our savings to another level because we have a freezer full of produce that might have otherwise gone to waste.
You may be interested in our other posts on how to freeze:
How To Freeze Philadelphia Cooking Creme
If you are new (or even experienced) to freezer cooking:
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 1 – Sample Menu and Getting Started
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 2 – Why Does Freezer Cooking Work
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 3 – Planning Your Meals
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 4 – Tips and Tricks for Freezer Efficiency
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 5 – What Can You Freeze?
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 6 – Freezer Storage
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 7 – Tips for Thawing Your Meals
How to Freezer Cook Series – Part 8 – Make Your Own Freezer Pancakes
How to make your own baby food – Part 1
How to make your own baby food – Part 2
Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 22 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
Chelsie
I know what you mean! We had a problem with produce going bad fast when we lived in Alaska. Everything has to be shipped up there in the winter. So to save some money, (a gallon of milk can easily cost $10 depending where you live.) , we froze most everything from soups to grapes when it was warm enough to be bought in season. Grapes are wonderful for the kiddos. We would let ours eat "frozen fruit salad." Which was grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. She thought they were little popsicles! Or we would put them in her drink to keep it cold, flavor her water, and give her a nice treat when she was finished. Thanks for the post!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
Thanks! I love frozen grapes!
Brenda
I'm fascinated by the mushrooms...do they get gummy? How do you use them. Thanks!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
Nope, I use them in marinara, grilled or sauteed...in cooking 🙂
Shantell
New to vacuum sealing here, just read owners manual for our new food saver and it specifically warned about vacuum sealing certain items at risk for anaerobic bacteria (soft cheese, fresh mushrooms, onions & garlic). Perhaps this is a warning against long term storage or does not apply. Just a heads up for food safety!
kathy
The mushrooms got my attention, too. Have you tried freezing peeled apples? I've got to get one, and a freezer!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
I have but I only use them for cooking once I thaw them.