Making food last is good for your budget and good for the environment. When food doesn't travel as far, it is generally greener or lower impact on the environment. This means every time you make food last longer, there is no transport of the would be replacement.

So how do we make food last? Plastic containers, not the disposable kind are a good start. A great process to keep food from spoiling is to use the freezer. From here I will focus on the freezer option.

How long will the food last in the freezer? According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, food stored in a freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will stay safe indefinitely. But that doesn't mean the taste and texture will remain the same. Keep in mind, this means the food remains at 0 or lower until it is prepared for eating.

Here is a guide to how long you can freeze foods before you sacrifice quality. Keep in mind that quality does deteriorate the longer food sits in your freezer, so aim to defrost sooner rather than later.

Bacon: 1 to 2 months
Breads: 2 to 3 months
Casseroles: 2 to 3 months
Cooked beef and pork: 2 to 3 months
Cooked poultry: 4 months
Cookie dough: 3 months
Fruit: 8 to 12 months
Frozen dinners: 3 to 4 months
Hot dogs: 1 to 2 months
Lunch meats: 1 to 2 months
Sausage: 1 to 2 months
Soups and stews: 2 to 3 months
Uncooked chicken (parts): 9 months
Uncooked chicken (whole): 1 year
Uncooked steaks, chops, or roasts: 4 to 12 months
Uncooked ground meat: 3 to 4 months
Vegetables: 8 to 12 months

- Note: Resist the temptation to defrost foods on your countertop. The three safest ways to thaw foods are in your fridge, in cold water, and in the microwave.

- Also: Items will freeze better, forming fewer crystals if they are already very cold before going into the freezer. The best way to accomplish this is at least 4 hours in the fridge before moving them to the freezer. (Thanks Alton Brown! ;) )