9 Ways to Keep Your Produce Fresh for Longer

It can be confusing to figure out how to store fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh and tasty. Here are a few tips to start you off. 

1. Split ‘Em Up. It’s true – while fruits and vegetables can combine wonderfully in a salad or main dish, they should be stored separately in the crisper. Apples, in particular, produce ethylene gas which can ripen all other foods quickly. 
2. Dry Off. Be sure to dry your washed produce to keep the moisture from ripening it early, or getting it mushy or moldy. 
3. Counter It. Many fruits and some root vegetables should not be put into the fridge, but instead stored in a cool, dry place. The exception is apples, which tend to ripen ten times faster at room temperature. 
4. Once you cut it, keep it cold. As a general rule of thumb, after you cut or peel your produce, be sure it goes straight to the fridge to ward off bacteria and keep it fresh for longer. 
5. Move It When Ripe. When your fruits are fully ripened on the counter, they can be moved to the refrigerator, which will then slow their decomposition.
6. Shop for less, more frequently. When possible, a few quick trips to the farmer’s market or grocer to buy produce in smaller amounts helps keep fruits and veggies as fresh as possible and cuts down on waste. 
7. Don’t Spoil the Fun. Once you notice overripe produce, be sure to move it immediately so it doesn’t spoil the other fruits and vegetables it may be stored with. Cooking slightly too ripe veggies can make them more palatable. If your produce is inedible, compost it! Check for available composting workshops here.
8. Chill Out. Freeze excess or overripe fruits and vegetables for later use. For example, peel and freeze brown, overripe bananas to use later in smoothies.
9. Proper Airflow. If you’re storing your produce in the refrigerator, using a breathable bag or dish works best to make sure produce isn’t spoiling too quickly. 

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