Is Your Produce Storage Helping or Hurting Your Foods?

Where we store fruits and vegetables impacts their shelf-life. Some fruits and vegetables like high humidity, others can sit on the counter, while some put off high amounts of ethylene gas causing nearby produce to ripen (or spoil) quicker. If you’re trying to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, then knowing where they should live in your kitchen is very important, but it can be confusing. Here is a quick produce storage guide to help you store food in the correct location:

Produce Storage Tips

Pro Tip 1

If you’re wondering about produce that is not on this list, notice where the produce is stored at your grocery store. Are they misted on a refrigerated shelf? Are they in a room temperature bin? This can tell you where to store them at home.

Pro Tip 2

Want to eat a piece of produce that is not yet ripe? Place the unripe produce in a paper bag on the counter for 1-2 days. This traps the ethylene gas around the fruit or vegetable and promotes quicker ripening time.

Pro Tip 3

Is your countertop produce ripening a bit too quick? Toss them in the crisper drawer in the fridge to slow the ripening process and get a few more days out of them.

If you have questions about what foods are helpful for a healthy diet or for specific health needs, call 480-882-4545 to schedule an appointment with a NOAH dietitian or request one online.