How to Keep Your Produce Fresh

First published March 2016
Updated August 2025

As parents and caregivers, we strive to provide healthy food including fresh produce on a budget. Nothing is more frustrating than opening the refrigerator to find that your best intentions have, quite literally, spoiled!

What are best practices when it comes to storing fruits and vegetables? How can you make sure your hard-earned money isn’t wasted on produce that ends up in the trash?

Consider these important guidelines when selecting and preparing fresh produce.

• Root veggies (like potatoes, carrots, beets, and turnips) and certain fruits (like bananas, tomatoes, avocados, and melons) do best when stored on the countertop at room temperature.
• Separating the ethylene gas-producing fruits and vegetables from the ethylene sensitive fruits and vegetables (see below) will help prevent accelerated ripening and prolong shelf life.
• Use produce storage drawers in your refrigerator to prolong the life of certain fruits and vegetables.
  • A low humidity setting on a drawer is designed for fruits and vegetables that expel a lot of ethylene gas and aren’t prone to losing moisture. This drawer vents gases to keep produce from rotting too quickly. Be careful not to overfill this drawer, it should only be filled two-thirds full.
  • A high humidity setting on a drawer is designed for fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to ethylene gas exposure. This produce needs higher moisture levels to stay fresh. This drawer is also sealed to prevent exposure to any gas that escapes from the low-humidity drawer.

• Wait to wash fruit and vegetables until right before eating to prevent further moisture and rotting

While proper storage of fruits and vegetables is important, it is even more important to remember to eat them! Store fruits and vegetables on the counter where there are in sight and accessible. Wash and cut fruits and vegetables to add to meals and snacks. Involving your kids in the preparation of fruits and vegetables is a great way to get them involved and eating them!