👋 About Marleen

Waste Less, Save More: Marleen’s Tested Food Storage Methods

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?”

Read my story Contact me
Marleen van der Zijl, founder of FreshStorageTips.com
Marleen van der Zijl
  • Utrecht, The Netherlands (Born & Raised)
  • My second home: St. Augustine, Florida
  • 48 years old
  • Credentials: Certified in HACCP Food Safety

How it started

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.

Marleen with her children Fleur and Jozef (Utrecht, 2024)
My kids, Fleur & Jozef, my chief taste-testers!

What you can expect

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.

My method

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:

  1. 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.”

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Source Corroboration

    I cross-reference my findings with official guidelines from authoritative sources like the USDA and FDA to ensure accuracy.

What you'll find here

169 food storage articles in 9 food groups

Fruit17 articlesVegetables27 articlesMeat8 articlesFish & Seafood13 articlesBread & Bakery17 articlesBeverages23 articlesDairy & Eggs21 articlesPantry21 articlesFood Safety16 articles

Sources my articles link to most:

  • FDA 110 articles
  • FoodSafety.gov 53 articles
  • University of Georgia 52 articles
  • National Center for Home Food Preservation 45 articles
  • USDA 44 articles
  • CDC 44 articles
  • Penn State Extension 34 articles
  • NIH 24 articles

Beyond storage

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.

Good to know

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.

Fresh from my kitchen

My newest articles

All articles

Let’s Connect

I don’t post my email publicly (to avoid spam!), but you can always find me on LinkedIn.

Send a messageLinkedIn