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.
| Gas Releasing Foods | Gas Sensitive Foods |
| Apples | Bananas, ripe |
| Apricots | Broccoli |
| Avocados | Brussels sprouts |
| Bananas, unripe | Cabbage |
| Cantaloupe | Carrots |
| Figs | Cauliflower |
| Honeydew | Cucumbers |
| Kiwi | Eggplant |
| Nectarines | Lettuce, Leafy Greens |
| Peaches | Peas |
| Plums | Peppers |
| Tomatoes | Squash |
| Sweet Potatoes | |
| Watermelon |
Material adapted from eatright.org
