Fridge or Counter: Where is Your Produce Supposed to Go?
One of the best ways to prevent food waste is knowing how to properly store everything so that it lasts as long as possible.
When we get the goodies home, there’s a tendency to put everything in the refrigerator because it probably seems like it would be the best way to keep things fresh.
However, refrigerating certain produce can actually cause them to go bad FASTER!
In fact, there are many veggies and fruits that don’t need to be refrigerated at all. They will actually stay fresher longer when kept on the counter.
A quick-take on this is to observe how things are stored in a grocery store. If you take a gander around the produce section you will see which items are kept in the refrigerated sections and which are kept in room temp. displays, for example.
But, if you not in the store right now and instead are reading this very blog post (😅) then here are some helpful lists to get you started:
NOTE: Any pre-cut or ready-to-eat produce should always be stored in the fridge.
REFRIGERATOR
- Apples *(if more than 7 days)
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cherries
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Fresh herbs (except basil)
- Grapes
- Green beans
- Green onions
- Leeks
- Lettuce and leafy greens
- Melons
- Mushrooms
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radish
- Sprouts
- Turnips
- Zucchini or summer squash
COUNTERTOP
- Apples *(if under 7 days)
- Bananas
- Basil
- Citrus fruit
- Ginger
- Mangoes
- Papay
- Pineapple
- Pomegranates
- Tomatoes
BOTH
Here are things that you can first let ripen on the countertop and then store in the refrigerator to help them last even longer:
- Avocado
- Kiwi
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
PANTRY
Finally, the following items are best kept in a cool, dark space like the pantry:
- Garlic
- Hard squash (like acorn, butternut, spaghetti, and winter)
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Sweet potatoes
- Watermelon
Did anything surprise you on these lists? Hopefully you’ll feel even more confident now, knowing your fresh fruits and veggies will last even longer once you bring them home. Enjoy!
