Tips for storing fruits & vegetables

With the cost of fresh produce rising, it's always a relief to find new ways to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh. Here are a few tips and tricks for longer lasting produce.

1. Do Not Store Fruits and Vegetables Together: Fruits that give off ethylene gas ( the natural riping agent hormone) can ripen and spoil surrounding vegetables quickly.

For Vegetables: Remove the ties and rubber bands. Trim any leafy ends. Make sure the bag you store the veggies in has some holes punctured to allow for air flow. Pack veggies loosely in your fridge. "Leafy" greens can be washed before storing.Do not wash herbs and mushrooms until right before they are used.

For Fruits: Avocados, tomatoes, mangos, melons, apples, and pears will continue to ripen if left sitting on a countertop. As well as bell peppers, grapes, and berries. These fruits s

hould be refrigerated. Bananas ripen very quickly, and will speed the ripening of any nearby fruits.