How to Make Your Fruits and Vegetables Last Longer

We all want to know how to make fruits last longer and how to keep produce fresh. The first step is to ensure you store fruits and vegetables dry. Extra moisture can cause your fruit and vegetables to go soggy. If you're washing before putting them away, make sure you pat them dry! For berries and grapes, store them on a dry paper towel to avoid any moisture build-up. On the other hand to keep peppers crispy and fresh, store them in a produce bag or paper bag.

Some fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, tomatoes and avocados, prefer to be stored on the countertop. These foods benefit from room temperature climates, which can help them keep their flavor. If you’re not ready to eat your fruits and vegetables yet—and they are starting to ripen—just pop them in the fridge.

Let’s take a look at how to preserve vegetables that like cool, dark places. These are typically potatoes, onions and garlic. They like it cool, but not cold. So store these in your pantry or a lower cabinet. We like using small baskets for storing.

Herbs are finicky and like what they like. Can you blame them? Separate your herbs into single layers and store them on dry paper towel, this avoids moisture build-up. For an even longer life, seal in an airtight bag.

When exploring how to store fruits and how to store vegetables that last longer, a great tip is don't cramp their style!

Think of fruits and vegetables like teenagers, when you can give them space, they appreciate it! Try not to pile fruits and vegetables on top of each other. This builds up moisture and can lead to mold.

Keep your eye on your fresh fruits and veggies, so those at key ripeness never go to waste. A spotty banana is calling out to become banana bread. Those soft peppers are perfect for the grill. Pickle it, jam it, bake it, make it or even fake it into something delicious.