storage tips for fruits & vegetables

produce storage can be

use this guide to help preserve the texture, color, flavor, and sweetness of your From the Farmer basket.

while there can be dozens of unique recommendations for each fruit, fungi, spud, and sprout, we’ve tried to hone in on best practices, without doting too much on any one veggie or fruit.

eating in order of perishability is a clever trick: berries go the fastest, then soft-skinned fruits like tomatoes and cucumbers,lastly roots and spuds will last the longest.

refrigerated, almost all produce will keep longer.

Storage 101: quick tipS

fresh produce is great because it’s fresh! let it sit around, and it won’t be as wonderful. eat up!

properly stored, heartier produce will last longer. think less juicy (water content) more firm (fiber).

cut off bruises and wrap up any exposed edges. bruises let air in and cause rotting!

get rid of rotting or moldy items, stat! prevent mold contaminating the rest of the bunch.

a tricky thing.

happy when humid

wrap these veggies up with a damp paper towel, zip them into a bag, then store in your refrigerator’s high humidity drawer.

BEFORE STORING

AspArAgusCArrotsCornArtiChokesCAbbAgeCAuliFlowerleeks kAleCollArdsMustArd greensspinAChArugulAMesClun roMAine beetspArsnipsturnipsroot veggies

brea t h i ng rooms k i p t h e z i p , u s e a

p e r f o r a t ed b a g o r l e a ve t h e b a g o p en . i n c l ude

a d a mp p a p e r t o we l f o r b e s t r e s u l t s .

b roc co l ib r u s s e l s s p rou t s

pea sbean s pod s

( f a va , c r anbe r r y, g r e en , e t c . )

dryer is betterkeep these in your low-humidity produce drawer.

RadIShESOkRaapplES pEaRS GRapEShaRd-STEm hERBS (ROSEmaRy, OREGaNO, ThymE)GREEN ONIONS*

*BaG ThESE up aNd SEpaRaTE FROm OThER FOOdS, uNlESS yOu WaNT EVERYTHING TO TASTE LIKE ONIONS.

mushrooms should be stored unwashed in a paper bag with a dry paper towel to absorb extra moisture. They like it cool and airy, so skip the drawer and store on the first or second shelf in the fridge.

TOmaTOES WINTER SquaSh pEachES plumS mElON

couNterno refrigeration

keep up on your counter

TOmaTOES WINTER SquaSh pEachES plumS mElON

and out of direct sunlight

necessary

cuLture

Ideally ~ 50°F.

sensitive

Bell PePPers Celery eggPlant

CuCumBers summer squash

to Coldnever on the bottoM shelF.

Bell PePPers Celery eggPlant

moody roo t s

coo l , da r k , and d r y. l o t s o f a i r c i r c u l a t i on .

de f i n i t e l y no r e f r i g e r a t i on .

po t a t oe sswee t po t a t oe s

ga r l i con i on s

i f y ou r on i on s s how s i gn s o f s p rou t i ng , c u t

away t h e s p rou t s and u s e immed ia t e l y.

thirsty steMsTreat these veggies like fresh flowers.

Trim the stems.Place upright in a jar with water. Store in the refrigerator with leaves covered.

ArTichokeSofT-STemmed herbS (bASil, PArSley, cilAnTro)delicATe SofT heAd leTTuceS (ex: buTTerheAd)ASPArAguS (noT required, buT will fAre well)

berry special treatment Pay extra attention to scouting out discarding any duds or mold.wash all the keepers in a diluted vinegar bath (1:3 water to vinegar). Air dry completely. Store in a container lined with paper towels.leave the lid open a little to allow moisture to escape.

our bread is preservative-free.

in time it will get dry, perhaps even moldy, if a) not properly stored.b) eaten.

decide how much of the loaf you will consume in 7 days. slice and freeze the rest. heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic bags will both do for freezing. wrap the sliced edge of the remaining loaf in foil. this will help minimize drying.then store the whole loaf in a paper bag. keep at room temperature ~68ºF, away from direct sunlight, in a cool and dry spot. do not refrigerate or store on top of your refrigerator.

this is good! a sign of fresh, natural ingredients!

fresh bread

dElIvEREd TO yOuR dOOR

LocaL Produce

fromthefarmerdc.com