How to Store Fruits and Vegetables

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When you select or purchase fruits and vegetables from a garden, farmers market or grocery store fresh fruits and vegetables the right way:

• For best flavor
• To last longer 
• To stretch your food dollars

Store these fruits in the refrigerator:

• Apples (to keep them more than 7 days)
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Grapes
• Strawberries

Store these vegetables in the refrigerator:

• Green Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Greens (collards, mustard, turnip)
• Summer Squash
• Sweet Corn
• Cucumbers
• Lemons
• Peppers

Keep these fruits on the counter until they’re ripe, then store in the refrigerator:

• Peaches (until soft to touch and fragrant)
• Pears (until soft to touch)
• Plums (until soft to touch and fragrant
• Persimmons
• Melons (until ripe)

Keep these on the kitchen counter:

• Apples (no longer than 7 days)
• Bananas
• Eggplant
• Oranges
• Melons
• Tomatoes
• Winter Squashes

Keep the following in the pantry, a cabinet or box, away from light where air can get to them:

• Garlic
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
   

HappyHealthy Top Tips

How to make fresh fruits and vegetables last longer

Tip #1

Remove rubber bands and twist ties to allow for circulation.

Tip #2

Use fruits and vegetables within 1-3 days for maximum flavor and freshness.

Tip #3

Always store your fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat.

Tip #4

Always rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before using.

Tip #5

Wash

• Leafy Greens
• Spinach 
• Lettuce

Tip #6

Store vegetables separate from fruit.

Tip #7

It is not necessary to wash fruits and vegetables labeled “ready to eat,” “washed,” or “triple washed.”