Produce Storage Guidelines & Tips

Produce is expensive.

There is no way around it.

But there are ways to make our produce last longer, thereby eliminating the dreaded “it went bad and now its in the trash and I feel like I wasted money” factor.

Here are some simple tips that I’ve learned the hard way about making your “rock-bottom” priced produce last longer.

Invest in Produce Saving Storage

I own the Rubbermaid Produce Saver Square Storage Containers.

My strawberries, blueberries, romaine and iceberg lettuce, and watermelon have all lasted at least 50% longer when stored in these containers vs. just in regular storage containers. And when you are able to get an extra week or so out of your $.99 per pound fruits and veggies – these storage containers will pay for themselves in a couple of grocery trips.

Water is Your Enemy (If you are a fruit)

When you put water on any fresh fruit it speeds up deterioration by 50 percent.

Wait until you are going to use or eat a fruit before washing it. (Especially with berries and grapes.) If you like to have fruits around for the kiddos to munch on – then only prepare a small amount at time.

Water is Your Friend (If you are a leafy green item)

On the other hand, if you are a lettuce, herb, or green onion you will last longer if you have a little water.

• Wrap stems of romaine lettuce in a wet paper towel and place in a resealable bag.
• Place a damp paper towel in the bottom of your lettuce produce saver.
• Place herbs or green onions root end first in a small glass with water and wrap with a plastic bag and rubber band to increase freshness.

Not all Fruits and Veggies Get Along

Certain fruits and veggies give off a gas that makes other fruits and veggies ripen faster.

• Apples are not friends with broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens or cauliflower. Apples release an ethylene gas which make these veggies spoil faster.
• Onions are not friends with potatoes because each one produces a gas that makes the other one spoil faster.

Luckily, we don’t have to remember all the tips and tricks to making our produce last longer because there are produce storage guides to help us out. But following a few simple tips can help you get a few more days (if not weeks) out of your produce.

Do you have a produce tip or have you broken a produce storage guideline? (I’m guilty of the potatoes and onions cohabitation.) Let me know in the comments – I love learning new things to save money.