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Ways To Help Keep Produce Fresh Longer!

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“This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid®.”

Did you know that Americans waste $24 billion worth of produce every year, which is the equivalent of $192 per household.** Well I am just as guilty of this, and personally I can’t stand to throw away money or unused fruits and vegetables.

I am trying to extend the life of my purchases through everyday steps as well as testing out Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver, now available in 3 new sizes!

Because of this, I really attempt to use what I have and based on my own experiences here are my Ways To Help Keep Produce Fresh Longer!

Meal Planning-

Fruits and Vegetables aren’t going to last forever, so I try to buy only what is needed for the week. If I notice they are becoming too ripe, I may change up my meal for the day or freeze items like fruits to be used in smoothies. Meal prepping and freezing might be a better option as well.

Refrigerate or Not-

Knowing your produce can determine whether or not to place them in the fridge. Personally I immediately put my berries and apples in, however I keep my avocados out until they get ripe and move them to the fridge to help them last longer.

Avoid Sunlight-

Unless I am trying to ripen something like tomatoes, I keep my fresh fruits and veggies out of the sunlight. I have made this mistake before and ended up with a mess on the window sill.

Remove Moisture-

Especially with berries, moisture is sure way to loose all of the freshness and end up with a mushy mess. I suggest removing items from their original packaging, eliminate moisture by patting them dry with a paper towel, and transporting refrigerator items into a container like Rubbermaid FreshWorks to maintain freshness.

I am still testing out my Rubbermaid FreshWorks, however I have immediately seen a difference in transferring fresh green beans out of the bag. Normally a lot of moisture accumulates however with these containers I am not seeing that.

In addition, I purchased raspberries at the store and typically the ones on the bottom become overly ripe and wet if I leave them in their original containers after a couple days. During the same time frame I have not noticed that same softness at the bottom on the built in FreshWorks tray, plus the moisture is being brought down below.

 

Shop Local or Use “You Pick”-

We happen to have a Farmer’s Market down the road, so I can take advantage of extremely fresh fruits and veggies. Making a local connection for items that are seasonal to your area is an ideal way to keep produce fresher longer or look for “You Pick” options in your community.

In the past my family has picked fresh blueberries and strawberries and it feels great to support local businesses. Plus I love bringing home Pickler Cucumbers that are grown right there on the farm (These usually disappear in a day along with the Strawberries we recently bought.)

About FreshWorks Produce Saver –

FreshWorks is a food storage container that uses patented FreshVentTM technology to keep produce fresher up to 80% longer* than traditional produce packaging. It uses a revolutionary built-in FreshVent™ lid, which naturally regulates the flow of oxygen and CO2, in and out of the container to create the optimal environment so produce stays nearly as fresh as the day it was picked.

In addition, the CrispTrayTM at the bottom elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help reduce spoilage. FYI, the lid filter will last a lifetime so no replacements needed. Plus, the containers are made in the USA of global components, are BPA-free, and dishwasher safe.

Do you have any additional ideas on how to Help Keep Produce Fresh Longer?

Rubbermaid FreshWorks are now available in NEW sizes including: a Large Square (11.1 Cups): which is perfect for Tomatoes, a Long Rectangle (8.4 Cups) ideal for asparagus or zucchini, and Small Rectangle (4.0 Cups) sized just right for green beans (I used it for Raspberries). Also look for containers in Small (2.5 Cups), Medium (6.3 Cups), and Large (17.3 Cups).

To learn more about FreshWorks Produce Saver visit Rubbermaid.com, Plus, check them out on Twitter @Rubbermaid, Instagram: @Rubbermaid, and Facebook: facebook.com/Rubbermaid.

Carlee @ FLL

Giveaway Details!

Thanks to Rubbermaid, one (1) lucky Fun Learning Life, will receive a Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Container Set!! (Includes 2 to 3 pieces)

To enter, please allow a moment for the Rafflecopter Form to load below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: *Based on strawberries in FreshWorks™ containers vs. store packaging. Results may vary depending upon produce and use. ** Source: USDA 2014 ***Participants must be 18 years or older to participate and live in the United States. Odds are based on the number of entries, and by participating, you agree to these terms and the laws set forth by your individual state. Entries will only be accepted through the Rafflecopter Form, and Fun Learning Life is not responsible for disruption of the page or service which could cause problems with entering. The winner will be contacted through email (make sure you check your spam or junk mail) with the Subject line “Rubbermaid FreshWorks Winner”. Shipping information, including email, phone, and address will be collected at that time. The winner has 48 hours to respond, after that an alternate will be chosen, and so on and so forth. Fun Learning Life does not sell personal information. The prize will be fulfilled by the PR Firm. Fun Learning Life does not share information with 3rd parties unless specifically expressed in a specific promotion or giveaway. This giveaway is not associated, nor sponsored by Facebook.

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Comments

  2. I wrap celery in aluminum foil because it helps it last longer. I use a mesh bag for my citrus fruits. I store salad greens and fresh herbs in bags filled with a little air and sealed tightly.
    Reply

  3. My tip is to look online to see what people recommend for each individual type of fruit or vegetable because they each have their own shelf life and preference for fridge or room temp.
    Reply

  6. I wash and carefully spin dry my salad in a salad spinner and drain out the water. Then store it in the strainer in the fridge, keeps it fresh and ready to go.
    Reply

  8. Trying to keep lettuce fresh is a huge pain for me. I tear it up, wash it, use the salad spinner to get it as dry as possible and even pat it with paper towels, but lettuce just naturally seems to have some moisture to it. I do put a paper towel in with the lettuce (I read somewhere that would absorb moisture and keep the lettuce dryer longer) & store it in the crisper drawer that claims it controls humidity (no idea if it really does, lol.) It does seem to help. But that's a lot of work for a salad, lol.
    Reply

  10. We grow our own strawberries, so we always have them fresh because we pick them when we want them. Only works for a certain amount of time, though! Sometimes I freeze bananas and make smoothies later.
    Reply

  13. No tips here. My grandmother used to dip onions in parrafin (sp?) before storing them in the cellar for the winter, though.
    Reply

  23. I don't keep apples near my other fresh fruits and veggies that I keep since apples release ethylene gas potentially making my other items ripen faster. I only know this from years of working in a grocery store.
    Reply

  27. I wash my produce and dry before putting it in the fridge plus I cut up broccoli cauliflower into bite size and put in zip lock bag polk holes in the bag them when u need it it's already chopped ready to go.
    Reply

  28. To keep strawberries fresh you can wash them in vinegar. I also store my apples separately; they can make bananas ripen more quickly.
    Reply

  29. I want to try to put my bagged lettuce in the container after opening. Because once it is opened it goes bad quickly. It is what I waste the most.
    Reply

  30. I'm just learning and loving these ideas. I just joined a fruit and vegetable co op so I get organic fresh produce every other week and I am finding it difficult to keep fresh before we can prepare it.
    Reply

  34. No sadly, I do not have any clues for how to keep produce fresh. I think most of the problem is because it is not fresh enough at the store when we buy it to start with.
    Reply

  37. I put a paper towel in the bag/container when I store greens. I like to think it absorbs water, not sure if it helps though.
    Reply

  46. I do not have any tips, but enjoyed reading yours and the other comments. I learned a lot and now have tips. Thanks.
    Reply

  48. These are nice. I almost never have to throw anything away, but that means changing plans all the time to hurry and use produce before it goes bad. These are perfect as you can get more time and the produce will still be fresh!
    Reply

  50. A friend told me to separate bananas, wrap individually in foil and refrigerate to keep them fresh long, but I haven't tried it yet,
    Reply

  51. Lettuce is my biggest problem and I have no answers for that. I do wrap the ends of my bananas with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them fresh longer,
    Reply

  53. I don't have a tip. I try to only buy produce that I know I will use in 2-4 days. But that means more trips to the local grocery store which is much more expensive than going out of town to a supermarket.
    Reply

  55. I store avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, pears, plums, and tomatoes in a different place than my apples, broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, and watermelon.
    Reply

  58. I usually give produce a rinse in about a gallon of water with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to kill the bacteria. Then let it air dry before putting most varieties in the refrigerator.
    Reply

  62. We put a paper towel in the bottom of our dish and in the frig and also wrap the top of our bag of lettuce with a paper towel and close the bag tight holding it in place with a rubber band.
    Reply

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