Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide How to make your food last longer and keep it from going to waste.

in the cupboard

Onions Store loose or in a mesh In the Fridge bag separate from potatoes

Apples Store loose and away from other produce on the counter

Bananas Store separate from Leafy Herbs other produce Store in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top in the Cupboard

Potatoes Store loose or in a paper bag separate from onions

Oranges Cabbage Store loose in Store loose in crisper drawer crisper drawer

Inside:Tips for preventing food waste that can save you money on groceries Americans throw away as much as 25% of the food we buy.

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.

Wasted Food = Wasted Money

The average family throws away $130 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. Not everyone has enough.

50 million Americans face hunger, and 1 in 6 lack a secure supply of food. Rising food prices impact low-income But what families the hardest, since a larger portion about of their income goes toward buying food. composting? Composting is great for the environment, What can you do? but eating the food we buy (preventing Fruits and vegetables are the most commonly wasted foods. By using the food from becoming food storage tricks in this guide, you can make your produce last longer waste) is even better. and ensure it gets eaten.

Go to seattle.gov/util/ReduceReuse for more tips on how to prevent wasted food. Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide

Where to Store How to Store These guidelines help Most of these guidelines to achieve ideal help to balance moisture temperature and moisture with airflow for different levels, which vary by produce items. For produce item. example, reducing airflow 4 Places to Store by storing in a sealed container increases Counter moisture, while storing Cupboard/Pantry loose or in a paper bag Fridge (anywhere) decreases it. Fridge – crisper drawer

Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Acorn Squash Cupboard/Pantry Store loose.

Separate from other Apples Fridge produce.

Ripen on counter, Apricots Store loose. then store in fridge. Did you know Store in a plastic bag or Apples keep ripening Artichokes Fridge after they’re picked, so sealed container. keeping them in the fridge will preserve Remove bands and ties. Fridge Store in a sealed container them better. Arugula lined with a damp towel.

Remove bands and ties. Store upright in a glass of Asparagus Fridge water with a plastic bag over the top. 1 Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Ripen on counter, Avocados Store loose. then store in fridge.

Store away from other Bananas Counter Tips and Tricks fruits and vegetables. To make cut avocados last Remove bands and ties. longer, leave pit in and brush Trim stems and store surface with lemon or lime Basil Counter upright in a glass of water juice. Refrigerate in a with a plastic bag over sealed container. the top.

Store in a plastic bag or Beans Fridge sealed container.

Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store Beets Fridge green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). Did you know Fridge – crisper Like many fruits, bananas Bell Peppers Store loose. give off ethylene gas, which drawer can cause nearby produce to spoil. Keeping bananas Berries Store in a shallow container separate helps ensure a (examples: lined with a dry towel; longer shelf life for Fridge leave lid slightly cracked blueberries, other items. for air circulation. Wash strawberries) only when ready to eat. Remove bands and ties. Bok Choy Fridge Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. Brocolli, Fridge – crisper Wrap in a damp towel. Broccolini drawer Did you know Remove bands and ties. Fridge Store in a sealed container Wondering why a dry Broccoli Rabe lined with a damp towel. towel is recommended for some items? For those that Brussel Fridge – crisper shouldn’t get too moist, Store in a sealed container. try towels help absorb Sprouts drawer unneeded dampness.

Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide 2 Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Butternut Squash Cupboard/Pantry Store loose. Fridge – crisper Cabbage Store loose. drawer Ripen on counter, Cantaloupe Store loose. then store in fridge. Did you know Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store Wondering why some Carrots Fridge instructions suggest a green tops separately damp towel? (see “Leafy Greens”). For items that need a bit Fridge – crisper Cauliflower Store in a plastic bag or more moisture, damp drawer sealed container. towels help preserve proper humidity. Celery Fridge Store in a sealed container.

Remove bands and ties. Chard Fridge Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel.

Store in a plastic bag or Cherries Fridge sealed container. Wash only when ready to eat.

Chives Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store Fridge upright in a glass of water Cilantro with a plastic bag over Tips and Tricks the top. Many fruits give off a gas Citrus Fridge – crisper that makes other produce Store loose. spoil, so storing fruits and Fruits drawer veggies in separate Remove bands and ties. crisper drawers Collard can Fridge Store in a sealed container help prevent veggies from Greens lined with a damp towel. ripening too quickly. Corn Fridge Store loose.

Fridge – crisper Cucumbers Store loose. 3 Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide drawer Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

4 Basic Tools Store in a sealed container Daikon with a dry towel. Store Fridge Container with Radish green tops separately tight-fitting lids (see “Leafy Greens”). Dandelion Remove bands and ties. Fridge Store in a sealed container Greens lined with a damp towel.

Cloth or Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright paper towel Dill Fridge in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. Glass or cup Fridge – crisper Eggplant Store loose. drawer

Endive Remove bands and ties. Fridge Store in a sealed container Paper bag Escarole lined with a damp towel.

Garlic Cupboard/Pantry Store loose.

Fridge – crisper Grapefruit Store loose. drawer

Store in a sealed container. Grapes Fridge Wash only prior to eating.

Green Store in a plastic bag or Fridge Beans sealed container.

Did you know Green Onions Fridge Wrap in a damp towel. One rotten grape can Remove bands and ties. spoil the rest. With grapes Herbs, leafy Trim stems and store upright – as with cherries and all (examples: Fridge in a glass of water with a berries – remove rotting cilantro, parsley) plastic bag over the top. fruit before storing. Exception: See “Basil.” Herbs, woody Remove bands and ties. (examples: Fridge Wrap in a damp towel and rosemary, sage) store in a sealed container.

Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide 4 Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Ripen on counter, Honeydew Store loose. then store in fridge. Hot Fridge – crisper Store loose. Peppers drawer Remove bands and ties. Kale Fridge Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. Ripen on counter, Kiwi Store loose. Did you know then store in fridge. To spruce up greens Leafy Remove bands and ties. that have gone limp, Fridge Store in a sealed container immerse them in ice Greens lined with a damp towel. water for 30 minutes Fridge – crisper or place upright in Leeks Wrap in a damp towel. a glass of water for drawer a few hours. Fridge – crisper Lemons Store loose. drawer Remove bands and ties. Lettuce Fridge Store in a sealed container lined with a damp towel. Fridge – crisper Limes Store loose. drawer Ripen on counter, Mangos Store loose. then store in fridge. Remove bands and ties. Marjoram Fridge Wrap in damp towel and Tips and Tricks store in a sealed container. Once cut, store melon Ripen on counter, Melons Store loose. in a sealed container or then store in fridge. cover with plastic film and refrigerate. Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright Mint Fridge in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top.

Mushrooms Fridge Store in a paper bag.

5 Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Mustard Remove bands and ties. Fridge Store in a sealed container Greens lined with a damp towel. Ripen on counter, Nectarines Store loose. then store in fridge.

Okra Fridge Store in a paper bag.

Store loose or in a mesh Onions Cupboard/Pantry Did you know bag separate from potatoes. Wondering what’s the use Fridge – crisper Oranges Store loose. of paper bags? For drawer produce that shouldn’t get too damp, paper bags help Remove bands and ties. Fridge Wrap in a damp towel and absorb moisture without Oregano store in a sealed container. letting produce dry out completely. Remove bands and ties. Trim stems and store upright Parsley Fridge in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store Parsnips Fridge green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”).

Peaches Ripen on counter, Store loose. then store in fridge. Pears

Tips and Tricks Peas Fridge Store in a sealed container. To help partially-eaten Fridge – crisper peppers last longer, Peppers Store loose. store inside a sealed drawer container with seeds and stems attached. Pineapple Ripen on counter, Store loose. then store in fridge. Plums

Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide 6 Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Pomegranates Fridge Store loose.

Store loose or in a paper Potatoes Cupboard/Pantry bag separate from onions.

Pumpkins Cupboard/Pantry Store loose. Did you know Remove bands and ties. Sulphur gas from onions Radicchio Fridge Store in a sealed container makes potatoes spoil faster, lined with a damp towel. so separating the two can Store in a sealed container help potatoes last longer. with a dry towel. Store Radishes Fridge green tops separately (see “Leafy Greens”). Store in a shallow container lined with a dry towel; leave lid Raspberries Fridge slightly cracked for air circulation. Wash only when ready to eat.

Rhubarb Fridge Wrap in a damp towel.

Root Store in a sealed container Did you know Fridge Vegetables with a dry towel. Berries can be more susceptible to mold than Remove bands and ties. some other fruits, and too Rosemary Fridge Wrap in damp towel and much moisture is often store in a sealed container. the culprit. Storing in an Store in a sealed container unsealed container with a dry towel. Store Rutabagas Fridge increases air circulation green tops separately and helps prevent mold, (see “Leafy Greens”). as does washing only prior to eating. Remove bands and ties. Sage Fridge Wrap in damp towel and store in a sealed container.

Scallions Fridge Wrap in a damp towel. Remove bands and ties. Spinach Fridge Store in a sealed container 7 Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide lined with a damp towel. Fruit/Vegetable Where to Store It How to Store It

Sprouts Fridge Store in a sealed container.

Ripen on counter, Stone Fruits Store loose. then store in fridge. Store in a shallow container lined with a dry towel; Strawberries Fridge leave lid slightly cracked. Wash only when ready to eat.

Squash, Wrap whole or cut ends in Fridge Tips and Tricks Summer a damp towel. Squash, Once cut, refrigerate Cupboard/Pantry Store loose. winter squash in a plastic Winter bag or sealed container Remove bands and ties. to extend shelf life. Trim stems and store upright Tarragon Fridge in a glass of water with a plastic bag over the top. Remove bands and ties. Thyme Fridge Wrap in damp towel and store in a sealed container.

Tomatillos Fridge Store in a paper bag.

Ripen on counter, Tomatoes Store out of direct sunlight. then store in fridge. Store in a sealed container with a dry towel. Store Tips and Tricks Turnips Fridge green tops separately Want those tomatoes to (see “Leafy Greens”). ripen quicker? Place inside a paper bag with an apple Ripen on counter, Watermelon Store loose. and leave on the counter then store in fridge. until they’re ripe. Store in a plastic bag or Wax Beans Fridge sealed container. Wrap whole or cut ends in Zucchini Fridge a damp towel.

Fruit & Vegetable Storage Guide 8 Tips to Prevent Food Waste There are many ways to keep food from becoming waste. Which ones work for you?

Buy What You Need Track What You Have l Plan meals and make a grocery list with l Store new items behind the old in your fridge quantities needed. and cupboards. l Purchase local and in season when possible. l Create an "Eat Me Now” box for your fridge. l Buy fresh items in smaller quantities and l Use a white board or app to remember what more often, if possible. needs to be eaten.

Store It to Last Use It All Up l Use a fruit and veggie storage guide. l Have a regular Leftovers Night. l Freeze what you can't finish. l Try out recipes that combine ingredients you have on hand. l Prep items for easy snacking/cooking (example: chop celery into sticks before storing). l Use parts of food that are often discarded (example: carrot tops).

Know Your Dates l A Sell-By date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before the date expires. l A Use By date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacture of the product. l A Best if Used By (or Before) date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

See the USDA’s Food Product Dating Fact Sheet at fsis.usda.gov for information about how to store foods based on date labels.

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