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When we think of November, most of our thoughts revolve around turkey, stuffing, pumpkins – basically all the makings of a Thanksgiving Dinner.  However, did you know that November is one of the best times to clean out your refrigerator?  November 15^th is National Clean Out your Refrigerator Day, exactly one week before the Thanksgiving feast. 

In all seriousness, though, for the safety of yourself and your family, refrigerators should be cleaned out at least weekly to dispose of any outdated food.  Three top reasons to clean out your fridge on a regular basis:

(1) Refrigerators are the most important and often expensive appliance in your house.  Without a refrigerator you would not be able to store perishable foods properly, which would lead to illness.  To keep them functioning properly, try not to overfill compartments.  Doing so compromises air circulation which could lead to expensive maintenance calls. 

(2)  Foodborne illness is a serious issue. According to the CDC, approximately 48 million people will become sick from foodborne illness annually.  Of those 48 million, 128,000 will be hospitalized, and 3000 die from complications related to foodborne illness. 

(3) Clean refrigerators save you money.  Not only does cleaning your refrigerator increase the efficiency of your appliance (as mentioned in #1 above), but it also helps you save money on groceries for the week.  By cleaning our your refrigerator, you can obtain an inventory of what you have on hand and make out your grocery list for the week accordingly.

So be sure and give your refrigerator some attention this month and set a weekly/monthly cleaning schedule.  Not only will you be putting some money back into your pocket, but doing your part to prevent foodborne illness within your house.

Be sure and follow us on our Facebook page @USD267NutritionWellness this month for pictures of our meal trays, special events, as well as nutrition and wellness tips.

Thank you for supporting our USD 267 Renwick School Nutrition Programs.  

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