How to Store Fresh Produce at Home for Its Longest Life

We all know how important fresh produce is to a healthy diet, especially these days! But shopping less frequently can make keeping our produce fresh at home a little harder. A few simple tips can help ensure you get the maximum quality and longest life out of your perishable purchases.

Follow the example set at the store.

• If we store it in refrigeration, so should you.
   
• Never store bananas, tomatoes or avocados in the refrigerator.
   
• Some produce (like apples, citrus, mangoes, etc.) can go either way, but most produce, especially fruit, tastes best at room temperature, so let it sit out before eating it.

Keep certain items separate from each other.

• Onions stored with potatoes may cause them to sprout.
   
• Keep fruits and vegetables separate. Some produce produces ethylene, which other fruits and vegetables may be sensitive to.

Wash produce when you get it home, with some exceptions.

• Berries may be washed with a vinegar solution, but they must be thoroughly dry before storage.
   
• Mushrooms should be removed from plastic and put in a paper bag.

Wash produce even if you won't eat the skin.

• It's especially important to thoroughly clean the outside of melons, as the rough skin can store dirt and bacteria that may be transferred to the melon's flesh when cutting.
   
• You may be surprised, but we recommend washing bananas, citrus and onions as well. Even if you're not cutting the fruit, dirt and bacteria may be transferred as you peel or simply handle the food.

Always dry produce! It's just as important as washing it.

• Moisture is the enemy. Humidity in the crisper is okay, but standing water is not.
   
• To wash greens, start by separating the leaves. Chop or tear, wash, then let them air dry completely. Store them in open or vented plastic bags with paper towels to soak up any remaining moisture.