How To Wash And Store Produce So It Lasts Longer

When even rising grocery costs can’t drive down waste—up to 60 percent of the food produced in Canada still gets thrown out—it’s time to take stock of how we’re handling what we put in our fridge. Here are our best tips for storing vegetables and fruit to keep them fresher, longer. 

The best way to reduce food waste is to avoid it before your dinner even hits the plate. That means storing tender vegetables, berries and leafy greens in ways that keep them fresh longer. Here’s how to handle trickier produce.

(Illustration: Carmen Jabier)

Tender Vegetables 

Thin-skinned produce such as zucchini, bell peppers and cucumbers should be stored whole, unwashed and as dry as possible until the moment you’re ready to use them. The first two like a breathable wrapping or container, such as paper towel or a loose mesh bag; cucumbers do best in something airtight. (They are mostly water, and you want to retain as much of it as possible so they keep their crunch.)

Berries 

If you avoid washing berries in advance to prevent moisture from spoiling them, this advice may sound nutty: You should be soaking them! Soak in a three-to-one ratio water-and-vinegar solution for five to 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing in cold water and carefully patting them completely dry or tossing them in a salad spinner padded with paper towels. (Take care not to bruise them!) The extra effort can keep your berries mould-free almost twice as long as usual.

Leafy Greens 

If you buy your greens pre-washed in clamshell containers, open the package, lay a clean, dry paper towel over the leaves, then close it and store it in the fridge turned upside down. Doing this wicks away excess moisture that would typically sit at the bottom, and airflow is encouraged when you turn the container over and open it up. (Be sure to change the paper towel every couple of days.) Avoiding plastic shells? This trick will also work in a resealable container. 

Three Produce-Saving Storage Sets We Love

Rubbermaid Freshworks Produce Saver Set, $25

These stackable fridge containers can add produce storage beyond your vegetable crisper drawer. The vented lids act like individual humidity controls, making the containers ideal for berries and greens, including heads of lettuce.

Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Seal Starter Set, $130

This storage system is a bit of a commitment—its vacuum-seal system only works on Zwilling-branded containers and bags—but it can be used to store almost any type of food, from fresh and cooked fruits and veggies to rice, pasta salad and even baked items.

OXO GreenSaver Herb Keeper, $23

Keeping tender herbs upright prevents them from bumping around and getting bruised—and this ventilated OXO container is the perfect shape for this.

Find more of our favourite food storage containers.