Tips to keeping the fridge organized?

[2ndGenGranola]

We have two fridges in our kitchen (the 1 didn't like being in the garage). Fridge 1 tends to run colder so that is the fridge I choose for meats and condiments. Raw meat goes on the bottom so it doesn't drip on cooked foods. The next shelf up is for leftovers/ lunches for DH to take to work. The next shelf up is for lunch meat type items. The very top shelf is for unopened flour/cornmeal/rice.

Fridge two tends to run warmer so fresh fruits/veggies/salad type items go in there. Iced tea and juices also go there. Opened flours, rice etc are also in that fridge.

[Libby]

Best way to keep organized - put all open packages of lunch meat in one med/large rectangular container in your drawer or on shelf. This way it won't get 'forgotten'. The rest of the time we pre-cut up fruit, melons etc and place them in see through rectangular containers from the dollar store and we use cottage cheese containers and slap a sticky note on it so we know what's in there. Leftovers are also just plastic wrapped in a small bowl/dish.

Drinks have one spot, drawers are for produce and the rest is a free for all lol. We do try to purge and clean out the fridge before we do a grocery shop to see what's expired and to also make room so its easier to put the shopping away later.

[frugalfranny]

It is tough with others digging through it.

Maybe set a section that is their 'snack section' and this will stop some of the digging.

I keep things in the same place.....pretty much.....all the time. The cheese is same place. Produce in produce bins. Milk...top right....etc. The food that has to be used is on middle shelf.....unless too big of container....then on top shelf but in front.

[frugalwarrior]

veg in the left crisper,fruit in the right. milk on the top left,other drinks on the top right,cheese in the door crisper,meat in the lunchmeat crisper,yogurt in the fruit crisper,condiments grouped on the door,eggs and butter on the second shelf left.

That said. I clean out the fridge every Mon. when no one else is around. Dogs get iffy things that are not spoiled but must be eaten now. I yell refrigerator clean out day and 3 guys come wagging. Another tip is divide it after dinner and freeze.
To be honest though we still lose food.We have flexing schedules w/ teens and traveling DH. You will never be perfect but I think I may even label shelves soon

Forgot to say,we put everything in plastic bags once it's open. Also buy less food so people don't have all the choices. You have to learn to eat whats there.

[Libby]

frugalwarrior thats a great tip - pack up portions right after dinner & freeze. I try to do that when I make a big tray of lasagna or homemade mac & cheese but my dad pulls it out the next night and we end up 'having to' eat it until its all gone. Ugh. I do this when he's gone away for the weekend and hide it in our chest freezer and pull it out later as a surprise. Saves me from having to buy frozen dinners for lunches too

[kittykatstrong]

I clean out the fridge before I go to the store. Also I try to keep all of the snacks on one shelf, leftovers on another, and the condiments on the third.