HOW TO STORE ORGANIC PRODUCE

Farm2Mountain > How to Store Organic Produce

Placing your fruits and vegetables in proper storage is the primary key to keeping produce fresh. 
Keeping produce fresh is more than a convenience for consumption. It is also an important money
saver. It is estimated by the United States Department of Agriculture that an American family tosses
out about 470 pounds (over 200kg) of food per year. That’s nearly 15 percent of all the food brought
into the home, about $600 worth. That’s largely because so much food “goes bad” from neglect or
improper storage. If you total it all up, Americans dump about $3 billion worth of food every year.

Preparation for Storage

Separate them!
Certain types of fruits and vegetables do not mix well in storage, as some emit ethylene, a gaseous
hormone emitted by plants. Certain foods don’t do well with ethylene around and can spoil faster
when stored near your ethylene-producing fruits and veggies inside the same compartment.  Your
highest ethylene producers are apricots, cantaloupe, figs, honeydew, bananas, tomatoes, avocados,
nectarines, peaches, pears and plums.

Remove plastic, wire or rubber bands. This will allow the produce to breathe and prevent damage to
the produce itself. Unwrap the wire or rubber band carefully so that you don’t bruise the produce.

Handle your organic produce as little as possible. The more you handle produce and pull it apart, the
faster the cells start to break down, causing micro-organisms to flourish.

Pay attention to the temperature. Not all produce must be refrigerated, and much of it shouldn’t be
refrigerated because the cold storage will affect flavor and moisture loss. If you must store organic
produce in the refrigerator, be sure to let it warm to room temperature before eating it to get the best
flavor.
 Never store the following organic vegetables in the refrigerator:

 Potatoes
 Garlic
 Onions
 Winter squash

Storing Fresh Produce

Fruits
You can safely store apples, apricots, cantaloupe, figs and honeydew melon in the fruit compartment
of your fridge.

You should spread your blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries out into single layers
to keep them from rotting at contact points where moisture gathers. For the same reason, do not
wash them until ready for consumption.

Fresh Herbs
Store fresh herbs in either an airtight glass container or a paper bag in the refrigerator. Most fresh
herbs should be eaten with a week of purchase.

Basil (There are several ways to do this.)

 Wrap fresh basil in a paper towel and place it in a sealable plastic bag before you refrigerate
it.
 Put fresh basil into an airtight glass jar along with a dampened paper towel and keep the jar
on your counter top out of direct sunlight.
Celery
Keep celery refrigerated in a plastic bag. Celery is porous and especially vulnerable to absorbing
odors from other produce.

Onions
Put onions in a paper bag and store them in a cool, dry place. Keep the onions away from the
potatoes. They produce gases that make each other spoil.

Corn
Store corn in its husk in the refrigerator. Corn is best eaten as soon as possible after it is picked, so
try to cook it immediately after you buy it.

Artichokes
Rinse artichokes and place them in an air-tight glass container before you put them in the
refrigerator.

Broccoli
Wrap a damp (not soggy) paper towel around broccoli before putting it into the refrigerator.

Safely store asparagus at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure it is out of direct sunlight.

Green Beans
Keep green beans in a tightly closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Like corn, green beans are best if
they are cooked and eaten immediately after purchase.

Eggplant
Store eggplant on the counter or in the refrigerator, but don’t wash it until you are ready to prepare it;
eggplant does not like moisture.

Zucchini
Place unwashed zucchini in a plastic bag or a vegetable crisper.

Arugula
Keep unwashed arugula in the refrigerator. Wash it and pat it dry just before you use it.

Lettuce and Other Greens

Wrap lettuce and other greens in a wet towel and refrigerate.

Carrots, Turnips and Beets

Remove the tops from carrots, turnips and beets because the tops will drain moisture from the roots.
If you want to cook beet or turnip greens, simply store them separately from the roots. Wash carrots,
turnips and beets just before you use them.

Cabbage, Radishes and Cauliflower

Store cabbages, radishes, and cauliflower in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Don’t remove the outer
leaves or stems until you are ready to eat them raw or prepare them for cooking.

Spinach
Always store spinach in a cold crisper; spinach will wilt fast at room temperature.

Sweet Potatoes and Winter Squash

Keep sweet potatoes and winter squash in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. They do not store well
in the refrigerator. Keep potatoes away from the onions.  They produce gases that make each other
spoil.

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