5 Tips For Keeping Produce Fresh

Created by: Kristen Carli, Dietetic Intern

Did you know that Americans throw away almost 20% of the fruits and vegetables they buy? Often times, this happens because people simply don’t know the secrets to keeping produce fresh. Unfortunately, improper storage of fresh produce leads to food waste. Let’s take a look at what you can do to increase food safety and reduce waste simply by keeping produce fresh.

Produce Safety

Don’t purchase any produce with mold, bruises or cuts at the grocery store. Once you get home, wash all produce before eating. Be sure to separate any fresh produce from raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. 

Keeping Produce Fresh is Easy With These 5 Tips:

Produce Safety

Don’t purchase any produce with mold, bruises or cuts at the grocery store. Once you get home, wash all produce before eating. Be sure to separate any fresh produce from raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. 

Store in the Refrigerator

The following fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should maintain 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

• Apples
• Cantaloupe
• Figs
• Plums
• Kiwi
• Apricots
• Honeydew
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Lettuce

Store at Room Temperature

The following fruits and vegetables are cold-sensitive and should not be stored in the refrigerator. Be sure to store these foods at room temperature.

• Avocado
• Peaches
• Watermelon
• Bananas
• Tomatoes
• Nectarines

Store in a Cool, Dark Place

The following vegetables should never be refrigerated, but instead kept in a cool, dark place.

• Potatoes
• Onions
• Winter squash
• Garlic

Keep These Foods Separate

Some fresh produce gives off ethylene gas. If near other produce this gas will speed up the decay of certain sensitive foods. To be safe, keep food in the following columns separate.

Material adapted from eatright.org