A refrigerator includes a cabinet within which is arranged an upper fresh food compartment and a lower freezer compartment. A freezer basket is slidingly supported in the freezer compartment, preferably for concurrent movement with a freezer door. The freezer basket is coupled to a lifting mechanism that selectively shifts the freezer basket from a first or lowered position to a second or raised position in order to facilitate removal of items from the freezer basket. The lifting mechanism can be formed by a mechanical, electrical or pneumatic system.