I try to go above and beyond to make sure that my kids get as many fresh fruits and veggies as I can coax them to eat. I am always picking up organic produce and looking for the most vibrant and beautiful veggies at the store – and I have found that the more of these good foods I get in my kids’ diet the better everything goes from eczema flare-ups to overall mood and sleep.
When I first started bringing home more fresh fruits and vegetables, I noticed that when we weren’t able to eat them all some of them would go bad. We keep a tight budget and I hate wasting food, so I did a lot of research about how long foods will keep and what I can buy in bigger quantities and what needs to be purchased for same-day use only. Knowing this has really helped me cut back on wasted food while also keeping the produce I buy super fresh all week long. To help keep your foods as fresh and crisp as possible, I’d like to share my findings with you here. Enjoy!
In order to start out on the right foot with storing fresh fruits and veggies, follow these simple steps:
- Give your greens a rinse when you get them home. A cold rinse will help perk them up and give them some fresh water to enjoy while they rest in the fridge. Shake off any excess water to avoid spoilage.
- For fruits and veggies that aren’t stored in the fridge, try wrapping them in upcycled paper bags to keep bugs, heat, and direct light away from them.
- Use your crisper drawers if you have them! They really do help. Try lining them with newsprint or brown paper bags to keep them clean.
- If you don’t have a crisper, try using brown paper bags, plastic bins, or other container sin the fridge to help regulate humidity,
How Long Your Fruits & Veggies Will Keep
This is a great general list to help you get the most out of the foods you buy. We’ll assume that everything you bring home is perfectly ripe and ready to eat. If not, you can add an extra day or two to this list!
Eat Within 2 Days
Bananas
Herbs
Artichokes
Avocados
Berries
Mushrooms
Eat Within 3-4 Days
Greens
Eggplant
Citrus Fruits
Zucchini
Cucumber
Eat Within 5-7 Days
Apples
Cauliflower
Peaches
Pears
Spinach
Kale
Root Vegetables
If you keep your eyes on how long these fruits and vegetables last and how fast your family eats them, you can ensure that you only buy what you need each week! A win for your budget and the health of everyone in your family.