FREEZER STORAGE TIME (freezer temperature 0°F or colder)

 PRODUCT    MONTHS IN FREEZER

FRESH MEAT

Beef               6 to 12

Lamb              6 to 9

Veal                6 to 9

Pork                4 to 6

Ground beef, veal, lamb, pork  3 to 4

Frankfurters     1 to 2

Sausage, fresh pork   1 to 2

Cold cuts   Not recommended

FRESH POULTRY

Chicken, turkey (whole)  12

Chicken, turkey (pieces)  6 to 9

Cornish game hen, game birds  6 to 9

Giblets             3 to 4

COOKED POULTRY

Breaded, fried   4

Pieces, plain      4

Pieces covered with broth, gravy   6

FRESH FISH AND SEAFOOD

Clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, shrimp   3 to 6

Fatty fish (bluefish, mackerel, perch, salmon)    2 to 3

Lean fish (flounder, haddock, sole)  6

FRESH FRUI T (PREPARED FOR FREEZING)

All fruit except those listed below  10 to 12

Avocados, bananas, plantains  3

Lemons, limes, oranges  4 to 6

FRESH VEGETABLES (PREPARED FOR FREEZING)

Beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, greens, kohlrabi, leeks, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, peppers, soybeans, spinach, summer squashes  10 to 12

Asparagus, rutabagas, turnips   8 to 10

Artichokes, eggplant   6 to 8

Tomatoes (overripe or sliced)   2

Bamboo shoots, cucumbers, endive, lettuce, radishes, watercress   Not recommended

CHEESE (except those listed below)   6

Cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta, goat, fresh mozzarella, Neufchâtel, Parmesan, processed cheese (opened)  Not recommended

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Margarine (not diet)   12

Butter  6 to 9

Cream, half-and-half   4

Milk   3

Ice cream   1 to 2

FREEZING HINTS

FOR MEALS, remember that a quart container holds four servings, and a pint container holds two servings

TO PREVENT ST ICK ING, spread the food to be frozen (berries, hamburgers, cookies, etc . .) on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid . . Then place in plastic bags and freeze

LABEL FOODS for easy identification . . Write the name of the food, number of servings, and date of freezing on containers or bags

FREEZE FOODS as quickly as possible by placing them directly against the sides of the freezer

ARRANGE FREEZER into sections for each food category

IF POWER IS INTERRUPTED, or if the freezer is not operating normally, do not open the freezer door . . Food in a loaded freezer will usually stay frozen for 2 days if the freezer door remains closed during that time period