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[x Hedge]

I mark the date and contents, and seasonally I pull everything out, look for evidence of freeze damage.

I rotate the stock within groups not only by date, but by selecting a 'Use it or throw it out' group, which goes front & center. I have 10 days to use it or ...

[Lila4Now]

I vacuum seal, label, and date, everything that goes in the freezer.  On some items I write how many are in there, like chicken breasts or thighs.  Sometimes I'm feeding a different number of people.  Two or three times a year I go through what is in there to make sure something isn't getting buried from sight.  I also keep diced onion in the freezer.  I don't care for it used uncooked, but it sure saves time on anything you cook having onion ready to go. When I use up my stock, I dice a couple more and freeze them.  

[fthunt]

That's a beautiful freezer w/pretty colors - my big freezer starts out organized but (somehow) chicken won't fit in the chicken box so it goes in the beef box.  I use just cardboard boxes so they slide in and out like drawers............and it saves frozen fingers when it's 'defrost' time (like this year).  Just take the boxes out - stack them - get the hair dryers going w/shelves ready with containers to catch the melting drip drip - then vacuum the water up with the Bissel carpet shampooer.  6 foot tall freezer = done with defrosting in an hour.

Start freezer - put cardboard boxes back in.  Done!

[sissel]

don't know what I would do without my sealer (got it from QVC) we only have 1 fridge but 2 of us so seal meat into 2 servings. label & date it & put it in the bottom of the freezer so I know to defrost the meat on the top. I do not buy much for the freezer until it is mostly empty which is maybe once a month. 

[Sooner]

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@homedecor1 wrote:

@Sooner

I used to go food shopping and buy things because they were BOGO or on "sale" only to realize we never ate 1/2 of it (and pantry items were donated to food bank - which is fine)

As far as cooking -- our tastes have changed heavy meals aren't what we like anymore.  We have been eating alot of fish, salads and as much as we love pasta I don't think we've had this in 7 months!

We are doing the same  -- my food bill has been great these past few months.  Although of course fresh vegs are still high and on our list.

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@homedecor1 We are thinking along the same lines!  We are eating less, a more modern diet, and more fish.  We order salmon from Alaska and have a lot of salmon "burgers."  That's a good part of what is in the freezer!  I also keep frozen corn, peas and greens, and have a pantry with lots of grains and canned tomatoes!  

We buy organic fresh veggies, which I now think taste better, aren't that much higher, and I mean really how many veggies can two people eat anyway?  Lots of brown rice, farro, and such--leftover rice, brussels sprouts shredded, carrots grated, celery and onion stir fried tonight with some eggs! 

[Sunshine Kate]

@Carmie, the freezer organization is a great idea.  I need to do that.  

[ID2]

My dh made me freezer stickers about 30 years ago. Yep they are that old and some newer ones thrown in. I've always named and dated all freezer food. 

[CelticCrafter]

We only buy on sale and in bulk, so I have to separate it into 2-3 people portions and re-wrap it.

[Skyegirl21]

I use my chest freezer a lot. I always wrap items in freezer paper specifically, then a plastic bag with all the air zipped out.  It’s meant to protect from freezer burn. And I always write the date-

[Free2be]

I try to keep the always-full freezer orderly like the image Carmie posted but it always gets discombobulated over time and I have to re-sort.  One basket starts to empty and I'll need that room for something else plus the shapes vary widely making it a headache to maintain perfect order.  Rarely does anything freezer burn thanks to the FoodSaver and dating everything.  Well, I have to correct that -- some baked goods like buns or croissants don't get used up before they get that dried-out look but if I see it starting I try to use them.