My Story: From a Dutch Kitchen to Your American Home
I’m Marleen. I blend time-tested Dutch preservation wisdom with American practicality to help you waste less food, save money, and enjoy freshness that lasts. This site is my answer to one simple question my American family always asks: “How do you make everything last so long?”
- Utrecht, The Netherlands (Born & Raised)
- My second home: St. Augustine, Florida
- 48 years old
- Credentials: Certified in HACCP Food Safety
The Story Behind FreshStorageTips.com
My connection to the US is lifelong. My mother grew up in sunny St. Augustine, Florida, before falling for a Dutchman—my dad. After I was grown, they moved back to the Florida coast, which I now visit every chance I get.
During every visit, as I’d cook and store groceries, my friends and family would watch in amazement. They couldn’t believe how long my produce stayed crisp or how I’d keep leftovers perfectly fresh. Knowing about my successful Dutch food blog, they kept saying, “You HAVE to make a site for us!”
So, I did. This is that site. FreshStorageTips.com is a sister to GoedBewaren.nl, built from the ground up for the American kitchen, with advice grounded in respected US sources like the FDA and USDA.
My Promise to You: Real-World Methods That Work
- Practicality Over Perfection: My advice is for busy households, not professional kitchens. These are simple, effective methods that save you time and money.
- Honest, Unbiased Reviews: I personally test every product I recommend. If it doesn’t work in my own kitchen, it won’t be on this site.
- Safety First: My methods are rooted in certified food safety principles (HACCP) to ensure your food is not just fresh, but also safe for your family.
- Always Up-to-Date: Food science and guidelines evolve. I constantly review and update my content to reflect the latest recommendations from sources like the USDA and FDA.
How I Test: My “In-the-Trenches” Methodology
To give you advice you can trust, every technique and product goes through rigorous testing in my own home kitchen. Here’s a peek at my process:
- First-Hand Experience: I don’t just research; I do. I physically use, store, and monitor everything. You’ll see notes like, “Last Tested: October 2025 in my Florida family’s kitchen.”
- The Family Test: I get feedback from the toughest critics—my family. “Jozef noticed the bread was still soft after 5 days.” This is real-world proof.
- Long-Term Monitoring: I don’t just test for a day. I track performance over weeks or months to see how things hold up, and I update my reviews accordingly.
- Source Corroboration: I cross-reference my findings with official guidelines from authoritative sources like the USDA and FDA to ensure accuracy.
From My Kitchen to Yours
When I’m not testing storage methods, my passion is cooking for others. I occasionally take on small catering jobs, from Italian feasts to vibrant Thai buffets. It’s the ultimate test of my food storage and safety skills in a real-world, high-pressure environment.
A little taste of what I love to create (Filmed in my kitchen, 2025).
A Little More About Me
What cuisines inspire you most?
I’ll always have a love for honest Italian cooking and the perfect flavor balance of Thai food. But truly, my travels are my biggest inspiration.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In the US, I love browsing sites like Serious Eats and Bon Appétit. In Europe, it’s often Libelle Lekker.
Do you take on catering projects?
Occasionally, for special events. Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn with your event details.
Let’s Connect
I don’t post my email publicly (to avoid spam!), but you can always find me on LinkedIn.
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