The best place to store your vegetables and fruits depends on the type. Some are best stored on the counter, in a cool dark place, and others in the refrigerator or freezer.

On the counter (at room temperature):

• Plums, peaches, and mangoes can ripen at room temperature and then be stored in the refrigerator.
• Whole pineapples and melons can be stored at room temperature before it is cut. After it is cut it should be stored in the refrigerator. Cut pineapple and melon will last for 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Bananas will ripen on the counter. If possible, buy bananas at different stages of ripening so you have some ready to eat at different times.
• Tomatoes can be stored on the counter. If you aren’t able to use them up, try chopping and freezing them to use later in stew, soup or tomato sauce.

In the cupboard (or other cool, dark, dry and ventilated space):

• Keep potatoes, winter squash, sweet potato, yam, turnip, onions, and garlic in a cool, dry area, not in the refrigerator.
  • Potatoes will last for about 6 months.
  • Winter squash and turnip will last for several months.
  • Sweet potato and yam will last for about 1 month.
  • Onion will last for about 6 weeks in in a mesh bag, paper bag or a bag with holes.
  • Garlic will last for a month or more.
• Mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dry place in a brown paper bag and should only be washed just before use.
• Eggplant should be stored in a cool area and used within a few days of purchase.

In the refrigerator:

Try to store vegetables separately from fruits in different parts of your refrigerator to help keep vegetables fresh. Many fruits have a natural compound called ethylene, which can help them ripen but will cause vegetables to wilt and spoil faster. Vegetables and fruits will also stay fresh longer if they are loosely packed.

Most vegetables and fruits can be stored in the refrigerator. Here are some specifics:

• Vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, leafy greens like spinach, chard and kale, cucumbers, and peppers can be stored in a crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Fresh heads of lettuce should be washed really well with water before refrigerating. Dry the leaves and store them in a clean plastic bag with a few paper towels.
• Apples should be stored loosely or in a bag with holes in the refrigerator.
• Asparagus should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped with a moist paper towel or you can stand them up in a glass of cold water.
• Store carrots in the refrigerator and peel them when you’re ready to use them. They will last for several weeks.
• Store grapes, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other berries in the refrigerator and wash gently before eating or using. Store these loosely covered and if possible, store berries loosely in shallow containers to prevent crushing. If you have too many berries, rinse them and put in the freezer before they go bad.
• Oranges, lemons, limes and tangerines should be stored in the refrigerator in a loose, open bag.
• Rhubarb should be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator, but it also freezes well.

In the freezer:

Freezing fruits at home is a fast and convenient way to preserve produce at their peak ripeness and nutritional quality. Freezing most vegetables at home is a fast, convenient way to preserve produce at their peak maturity and nutritional quality. Freezing is not recommended for artichokes, eggplant, lettuce greens, potatoes (other than mashed), radishes, sprouts and sweet potatoes.

For more tips on freezing vegetables, check out the How to preserve vegetables and fruits section.

Things to remember:

• Plastic bags with tiny vents help keep produce fresh longer by releasing moisture.
• Fruit kept in a loose bag will keep for a few days to a week like this.
• If you cut fruit, cover it, put it back in the fridge and use it within one or two days.
• Vegetables and fruits will spoil at different times depending on how mature or ripe they are when you get them.
• Inspect your vegetables and fruits before throwing them away if their estimated shelf-life has passed.
  • Just because your tomatoes have been on the counter for a week does not mean they have gone bad.