How to Keep Produce Fresh

by WiredBerries Editors — November 13, 2007

Wilted salad, fuzzy strawberries...produce gone bad is a big problem for almost everyone. But it is especially annoying for vegetarians who rely heavily on produce to survive. According to a Wild Oats article, we throw away 25 percent of the produce we buy because it's gone bad. That's an average of 470 pounds of food per year, which adds up to several hundred dollars a year in wasted produce per person. But is there any way to prevent it? There are quite a few actually! Here's how:

• Don't seal your produce in an airtight bag. It suffocates it, making it go bad much faster.
• Buy perishables last while shopping, so they don't get too warm, which also makes them go bad faster. Consider keeping a cooler in your car, and make sure perishables are put in the refrigerator quickly once you're home.
• If you frequent farmers' markets, try to make your visit first thing in the morning. Hours of sitting in the sun can gives produce an unwanted head start on wilt.
• Just like the saying goes "One bad apple can spoil the bunch," so if you notice a berry going bad, make sure to toss it quickly before it spreads to the whole case.
• Save the shower. Don't rinse your produce until right before you'll be eating it. Soggy fruits and veggies tend to get mushy sooner.
• Eat the most perishable items first. That orange might look really good but enjoy those delicate berries first.
• Get creative. If your crisper is full of tomatoes, make some pasta sauce, which cans and freezes nicely. Too many strawberries? Invite a friend over to make smoothies!