Apples – store on the counter and wash before use.
Beans – store in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer until ready to use.
Berries – these fruits are quite perishable when ripe, store whole in the fridge.
Beets & Carrots – these hardy roots last longer if you remove their greens before storing. Don’t toss the greens though, they’re perfectly edible!
Cucumbers, Squash, Eggplant and Peppers – put in a plastic bag in the fridge
Cured Onions – these need no refrigeration, but store them away from other produce
Greens (lettuces, kale, etc.) – don’t wash or cut greens before storing. Place them in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer with a dry paper towel to help keep the moisture in check.
Herbs – trim the ends of the fresh herbs, and place them in a glass of water in the fridge. This tip is particularly helpful for perking up both wilted herbs and greens.
Mushrooms – store mushrooms in the fridge in the container they are delivered in.
Peaches & Nectaries – If ripe, these can stay on the counter for a day or so until you’re ready to eat them. Need to ripen them quicker? Place them in a brown paper bag! Need to slow down the ripening? Storing them in the fridge buys you a couple of extra days.
Potatoes – these last best in a cool dark place, like a pantry.
Tomatoes – store on the counter, their texture and flavor is best when sliced at room temp!
All produce:
- Wait to wash produce until right before use. If you try and wash it before storing it, it will spoil more quickly.
- Wait to chop fruits and vegetables until you’re ready to use them. We love meal-prepping, but if you chop it too far in advance it shortens the lifespan.
- Store fruits away from vegetables. Each gives off a gas that causes the other to ripen more quickly.
- Some produce doesn’t need to be kept cold when it’s delivered to you, but once you slice it or cook it, be sure to store any leftovers in the fridge.
- Don’t over crowd your crops! Make sure the produce has room to “breathe” in the refrigerator. If you cram too many items in each bag, they’ll spoil more quickly.
- Do a bit of quality control before you store your food. If there’s one mushy or moldy berry, be sure to toss it right away. If it’s stored next to the other berries, it will cause them to go bad too.