Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Your All-In-One Guide to Storing Fresh Produce

Baskets and wooden crates filled with various fruits are displayed at a market. Fruits include apples, oranges, limes, lemons, pineapples, and grapefruits. Small chalkboard signs indicate organic options and different fruit types – an all-in-one guide for storing fresh produce. MyFitnessPal Blog
In This Article

For those of us who don’t have a green thumb, or the time, space or climate to grow our own fruits and veggies, fresh produce can be expensive. Knowing how to store it at home will not only preserve freshness, flavor and nutrients, but also save you money too!

You’ve probably realized that certain fruits and vegetables fare better on the countertop, while others last longer and taste better coming out of the refrigerator. What you may not know is why. As it turns out, colder is not always better when it comes to food storage. Cold refrigerator temperatures, which usually range from 38° to 42°F (3.3° to 5.6°C), can actually damage some types of produce, and/or prevent them from fully ripening. If you want to see for yourself, put a banana in the refrigerator and see what happens.

To help you get the most out of your fresh produce, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to storing fruits and veggies. Feel free to “pin it” to Pinterest, or print a copy to keep on the refrigerator at home.

produce guide subhead 1

Countertop

Fruits and vegetables suitable for storage on the countertop or in your pantry typically keep for anywhere from 3-7 days, until fully ripe. Storing produce in a bowl, paper bag or plastic bag with small holes can speed ripening. Whatever you do, don’t keep produce in sealed plastic bags on the countertop. The trapped carbon dioxide and moisture paired with a lack of oxygen increases the likelihood of unpleasant odors and decay.

produce quick tip 2

Refrigerator & Cool Storage

While most countertop-friendly produce is perfectly okay to leave out, fruits and veggies in the fridge have very different needs. Some prefer to be exposed to the air, others in airtight plastic bags or containers, and certain veggies, like mushrooms, like a mix of the two. Just like your children are picky about vegetables, some vegetables can be picky about temperature, preferring a cool 50-60°F basement over a much colder refrigerator. The guide below outlines all of this for you.

produce quick tip 1

produce storage guide infographic

About the Authors

Meet the people behind the post

Related articles

More inspiration for you

7 minute read
When you’re craving something different than regular water, there’s a popular alternative more people
8 minute read
Bananas may be going extinct. Here’s what you need to know about how many
6 minute read
Get a personalized recommendation with our free macro calculator. Determine your ideal macronutrient ratios
7 minute read
Micronutrient deficiencies may be more common than you think. Find out which ones you
In This Article
Recent posts
7 minute read
When you’re craving something different than regular water, there’s a popular alternative more people
8 minute read
Bananas may be going extinct. Here’s what you need to know about how many
6 minute read
Get a personalized recommendation with our free macro calculator. Determine your ideal macronutrient ratios