Fruits and vegetables are the most commonly wasted foods. By using the food storage tricks in this guide, you can make your produce last longer and ensure it gets eaten. How to make your food last longer and keep it from going to waste. These guidelines help to achieve ideal temperature and moisture levels, which vary by produce item.
Why does it matter?
Wasted Food = Wasted Resources
Worldwide, it takes 2.5 billion acres of land just to grow the food we waste, and 25% of all freshwater in America is used to produce wasted food. When we throw away food, we also waste all the water and energy used to produce, package and transport it. Why does it matter?
Wasted Food = Wasted Money
The average family throws away Rs.2000 to 4000 of edible food each month. Besides leaving less money to spend on other things, wasting food can increase its cost. As demand for food rises, so do the costs of limited resources—like land and water—to produce it, which drives up prices at the store.
Where to Store
These guidelines help to achieve ideal temperature and moisture levels, which vary by produce item.
4 Places to Store
- Counter
- Cupboard/Pantry
- Fridge (anywhere)
- Fridge –crisper drawer
On the counter
Bananas Store separate from other produce
In the cupboard
Onions Store loose or in a mesh bag separate from potatoes
Potatoes Store loose or in a paper bag separate from onions
In the Fridge
Apple: Store loose and away from other produce
Leafy Herbs: Store in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top
Oranges: Store loose in crisper drawer
Cabbage: Store loose in crisper drawer
How to Store
Most of these guidelines help to balance moisture with airflow for different produce items. For example, reducing airflow by storing in a sealed container increases moisture, while storing loose or in a paper bag decreases it.
The tables on the following page list for where to store and how to store for most vegetables and Fruits.
| Fruit/Vegetable | Where to Store It | How to Store It |
| Apple | Fridge | Separate from other produce. |
| Apricots | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose |
| Avocados | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose |
| Bananas | Counter | Store away from other fruits and vegetables. |
| Basil | Counter | Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. |
| Beans | Fridge | Store in a plastic bag or sealed container. |
| Beets | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). |
|
Capsicum Bell Peppers |
Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Berries (blueberries, strawberries) | Fridge | Store in a shallow container lined with a dry towel; leave lid slightly cracked for air circulation. Wash only when ready to eat. |
| Broccoli | Fridge – crisper drawer | Wrap in a damp towel. |
| Cabbage | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Carrots | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). |
| Cauliflower | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store in a plastic bag or sealed container. |
| Celery | Fridge | Store in a sealed container. |
| Chard | Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. |
| Cherries | Fridge | Store in a plastic bag or sealed container. Wash only when ready to eat |
|
Cilantro coriander leaves |
Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. |
| Citrus Fruits | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Corn | Fridge | Store loose. |
| Cucumbers | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Radish | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). |
| Eggplant | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Garlic | Cupboard/Pantry | Store loose |
| Grapefruit | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Grapes | Fridge | Store in a sealed container. Wash only prior to eating. |
| Beans | Fridge | Store in a plastic bag or sealed container. |
| Green Onions | Fridge | Wrap in a damp towel. |
| Herbs, leafy | Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. |
|
Chili pepper Hot Peppers |
Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Kiwi | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose |
| Leafy Greens | Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. |
| Lemons | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Mangos | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose. |
| Melons | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge | Store loose. |
| Mint | Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. |
| Mushrooms | Fridge | Store in a paper bag. |
| Okra | Fridge | Store in a paper bag. |
| Onions | Cupboard/Pantry | Store loose or in a mesh bag separate from potatoes. |
| Oranges | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
|
Pears Peaches |
Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose. |
| Peas | Fridge | Store in a sealed container. |
| Peppers | Fridge – crisper drawer | Store loose. |
| Pineapple | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose. |
| Plums | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. | Store loose. |
| Pomegranates | Fridge | Store loose. |
| Potatoes | Cupboard/Pantry | Store loose or in a paper bag separate from onions. |
| Pumpkins | Cupboard/Pantry | Store loose. |
| Radicchio | Fridge | Remove bands and ties. Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. |
| Radishes | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). |
| Raspberries | Fridge | Store in a shallow container lined with a dry towel; leave lid slightly cracked for air circulation. Wash only when ready to eat. |
| Root Vegetables | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. |
| Strawberries | Fridge | Store in a shallow container lined with a dry towel; leave lid slightly cracked. Wash only when ready to eat. |
| Tomatoes | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge | Store out of direct sunlight. |
| Turnips | Fridge | Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). |
| Watermelon | Ripen on counter, then store in fridge. |
Store loose. Once cut, seal cut watermelon halves or slices in Zipper bag Store in the refrigerator. |
| Wax Beans | Fridge | Store in a plastic bag or sealed container. |
| Cut/chopped Fruits or Vegetables | Fridge | stored in air tight containers and refrigerated |
Tips to Prevent Food Waste
Buy What You Need
- Plan meals and make a grocery list with quantities needed.
- Purchase local and in season when possible.
- Buy fresh items in smaller quantities and more often, if possible.
Did you know about Your Fruit and Vegetable?
Like many fruits, bananas give off ethylene gas, which can cause nearby produce to spoil. Keeping bananas separate helps ensure a longer shelf life for other items.
Apples keep ripening after they’re picked, so keeping them in the fridge will preserve them better.
Wondering why a dry towel is recommended for some items? For those that shouldn’t get too moist, try towels help absorb unneeded dampness.
Wondering why some instructions suggest a damp towel? For items that need a bit more moisture, damp towels help preserve proper humidity.
One rotten grape can spoil the rest. With grapes – as with cherries and all berries – remove rotting fruit before storing.
To spruce up greens that have gone limp, immerse them in ice water for 30 minutes or place upright in a glass of water for a few hours.
Wondering what’s the use of paper bags? For produce that shouldn’t get too damp, paper bags help absorb moisture without letting produce dry out completely.
Sulphur gas from onions makes potatoes spoil faster, so separating the two can help potatoes last longer.
Tips and Tricks
To make cut avocados last longer, leave pit in and brush surface with lemon or lime juice. Refrigerate in a sealed container.
Many fruits give off a gas that makes other produce spoil, so storing fruits and veggies in separate crisper drawers can help prevent veggies from ripening too quickly.
Once cut, store melon in a sealed container or cover with plastic film and refrigerate.
To help partially-eaten peppers last longer, store inside a sealed container with seeds and stems attached.
Once cut, refrigerate winter squash in a plastic bag or sealed container to extend shelf life.
When storing veggies in plastic bags, poke a few holes in the bags to provide air circulation.
Want those tomatoes to ripen quicker? Place inside a paper bag with an apple and leave on the counter until they’re ripe.