Keep it local, shop small

The holidays are often a time for creativity and this year is no exception. From online choral concerts and karaoke, to walkable and drivable light displays, we are making the most of our current situation to find some holiday cheer.   

For holiday shopping and giving, this year is about keeping it local and COVID-safe. Make a plan for shopping in-person and talk it through in advance with family or friends if you’ll have others in tow.  

The City of Portland announced December as “Shop Local Month” to recognize the importance of small, local businesses to the city and its economy. In partnership with local organizations, the City has created and improved public safety to instill support of local small businesses, many of which are owned by people of color. For small businesses, much of their annual income is made during the holiday season. 

Shop Small PDX is one resource to help connect Portland residents and visitors to shop local and to be intentional about where you spend your money. Others include directories for Black and Indigenous-owned businesses. Plus, The Intentionalist offers a directory of businesses in Portland and cities around the country.  

Headed downtown? Combine your gift list with visual treats. Check out the Winterland project, a 26-day art experience at window locations throughout downtown, the Central Eastside, and Old Town. Passing by Pioneer Courthouse Square? Visit this year’s holiday tree in Portland’s Living Room to help you celebrate the season. 

Looking ahead to the new year, an experience gift could signal hopeful times together. Perhaps a gift certificate to a local restaurant or theater, weekend travel plans to the Oregon Coast, or a workshop or class. Find more ideas and get holiday tips to save money and shop local with previous Resourceful PDX blog posts.  

Keep it fresh: Stretch your food dollars with these storage tips

Have you ever opened a bag of moldy bread? Or found something funky at the back of your fridge? Avoid another stinky surprise and stretch your food dollars by following these storage best practices.

A) The freezer is your friend

Tired of leftovers? Freeze them for lunch next week. Bread going bad before the loaf’s end? Store it in the freezer, and pop frozen slices right in the toaster. You can even freeze butter to keep it fresh for up to 9 months.

Consider buying frozen instead of fresh: Frozen vegetables are nutritious, easy to cook with, and they don’t mind if you forget about them for a bit (fresh broccoli lasts a week, frozen lasts a year). Plus, a full freezer uses less energy than an
empty one.

B) Know your fridge

Crisper drawers keep carrots crunchy and celery snappy; they’re the best place for fruits and vegetables. Use the high-humidity drawer for produce that wilts and the low-humidity for fruit and veggies that get moldy. The door is the warmest spot in the fridge, so use it for condiments but not milk or other perishable items.

C) Cool cupboards

Heat, light and humidity are the enemy of preserving flavor and freshness in herbs and spices, dried beans and grains and cooking oils. Store these items in a cool, dry, dark cupboard or drawer. The same goes for potatoes, onions and garlic.

D) Countertop tips

Leave tomatoes and avocados on the counter to ripen, then move to the fridge to keep them from going bad.

Top storage tools to try

Painter’s tape & permanent marker: Label and date like a pro. (It’s how restaurants keep track.)

Air-tight containers: Clear, air-tight jars, containers and bags keep food fresh and easy to see.

Phone camera: Snap a shelfie of your fridge, freezer, cupboard or spice drawer before heading to the store, so you don’t double-buy.

Lists: Keep lists on the fridge to make notes as you run out of things. An “Eat Me Soon” list is also helpful to avoid forgotten fruit and hidden leftovers.

Find more food saving tips

Find more storage tips that are good for your wallet and good for the planet at Eat Smart Waste Less. And while you're there, check out their tips for food shopping and cooking. (The site is also available in Spanish: www.eatsmartwasteless.com/acepteelreto)

This article appeared in the Winter 2020 Curbsider publication.