How to Make Produce Last Longer and Reduce Waste

To make the most of the food we eat and the money we pay for them, we need to learn the proper way to store them. With these techniques by Sweet Simple Vegan, you will learn how to make produce last longer and reduce waste. I am certain you’ll find all of these tips insightful. Make sure to apply them next time you buy your produce. For a detailed explanation of each item, watch the video below.

1. Don’t store onions and potatoes together

Onions produce ethylene gas which will cause the potatoes to spoil faster. Keep the potatoes and onion (separated) in a cool and dark place

2. Tomatoes

Store tomatoes on the counter at room temperature, not in your fridge

3. Garlic

Remove garlic from the bag and put them in the bowl. Store them on a counter.

4. Mango and bananas

Mango and bananas do best on the counter. As they sit on the counter they will continue to ripen.

5. You can save vegetable scraps to make homemade broth

Collect vegetable scraps and place them in a ziplock bag to store in the fridge. Once it fills up put it on a stovetop with water and bring it to a boil. You can add seasonings of your choice. Once boiled, drain it, squeeze out all of the juice and then you can compost them as long as you did not add any fats or a large amount of salt.

6. Herbs

Store herbs as you would with flowers. Transfer herbs into small pots and fill them with water. After that, place it in the refrigerator. This way they will last longer. But do not do this for basil. It’s better to store basil at room temperature in a cup of water. Store it in indirect light.

7. Avocado

Store avocados on your countertop until they are ripe. Once they ripen place them in a refrigerator. This will stop the ripening of avocados.

8. Asparagus

Cut a little off the ends of the asparagus and store it in a cup of water. Place the cup in the fridge.

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9. Almond milk

It’s ideal to keep them in the refrigerator especially if you are going to make homemade almond milk. But make sure to not place them on the fridge door.

10. Nuts and seeds

Store nuts and seeds in a cool and dark place, ideally inside the fridge.

11. Celery and carrots

To keep them fresh longer than usual, store them in jars with water. Place in the fridge.

12. Cucumber

Wrap cucumbers in towels before storing them to keep them dry. Note that this only works for whole cucumbers.

13. Greens

Store washed greens in a towel to preserve freshness. This will absorb excess moisture. Place in the fridge. Storing them in sealed plastic or container makes them more susceptible to rotting. If you buy them in bags or plastic containers, puncture holes in them, and better yet line them with a towel.

14. Broccoli and cauliflower

Store broccoli and cauliflower in a bag with a towel to absorb excess moisture.

15. Ginger

Wipe dry your ginger and store it in a sealable bag. If you cut it, pat that part with a towel to absorb excess moisture.

16. Berries

Wash berries in a vinegar bath with a 1:5 ratio of vinegar to the water. Rinse them off and wash them with water. Transfer in a container with a towel. Do not lock the cover. This does not work well for raspberries. It’s recommended to not wash them until eating to keep them fresh for a longer period.

17. Mushrooms

Store mushrooms in the container they come in. If you are going to buy in bulk, store them in a paper or cloth bag to let them breathe.

18. Citrus

It is best to store citrus in the refrigerator because it prevents it from drying out. It is ideal to use at room temperature so remove it from the fridge a few hours before using it.

19. Apples

Apples stay crisp for a longer period when they are stored in the refrigerator.

How to Make Produce Last Longer and Reduce Waste