We promise to maintain our quality and give you a shelf life of seven days if you treat us right.

Here are four simple rules to follow:

• Keep us cool We like to be stored at 40° to 45°F, preferably in a walk-in refrigerator. If you use ice, please avoid direct contact with our shells. Insulate us from ice by using butcher paper, trays, seaweed or a container such as a basket.
• Let us DRAIN We will drown in melted ice or in our own juice if you don't allow for drainage.
• Let us BREATHE Hey, don't forget we're alive! We'll suffocate if we're over-wrapped or sealed in an airtight container.
• Please, NO SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES We don't like sudden changes in the weather any more than you do. Store us away from drafts and blowers in walk-in refrigerators.
• A word About "GAPERS" When we're out of the water, you may occasionally catch us with our shells open. Don't worry, nothing is wrong. Just tap gently on our shells. If we close, then we're fine. If not, we should be discarded.

A majority of health professionals agree we should eat fish or shellfish regularly. It's easy to substitute clams for other protein foods in stir-fry dishes, salads, soups, and pasta recipes, or you can try some of our easy clam recipes. Who knows, they could become one of your most requested dishes.