It’s always best to store fruits and vegetables separately. Some fruits (bananas, tomatoes, and apples to name a few) give off high levels of ethylene, which will cause vegetables decay quickly.

Storage Key: CR = crisper drawer, CO = counter, A = airtight container, CD = cool dry place

 

Apples –CR. Use within 3 weeks.

Artichokes– CR. Sprinkle very lightly with water (not too much or it will encourage mold growth) and store in a plastic bag inside crisper drawer. Use within 5-7 days.

Arugula—CR. Wrap stems in a damp paper towel and cover leaves with plastic. Use within 3-4 days.

Asian Greens – CR, A. Trim stems and wrap in a damp paper towel. If sealed, they can last up to 2 weeks.

Asian Pears – CO. (4-6 days) or CR (up to 3 months).

Asparagus – Store upright in a jar with water. Wrap with a paper towel or place a plastic bag over the top. Refrigerate, use within 3-4 days.

Beets –  CR, A. Separate beets from stems. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Can last 1-2 weeks.

Bibb Lettuce – CR, A (optional). Remove the root ball and wrap the head in a damp paper towel. Use within 5 days.

Baby Bok Choy – CR, A. Pre-rinse and spin dry. Store in a plastic container or plastic bag lined with dry paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Can last up to a week, possibly 2.

Bok Choy – CR, A. Trim stems and wrap in a damp paper towel. If sealed, they can last up to 2 weeks.

Broccoli – CR. Wrap loosely in a damp paper towel. Use within 4-5 days.

Broccoli Rabe –  CR, Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a plastic bag & use within 3-5 days

Brussels Sprout Greens—CR, A. Wrap in a paper towel and store in a plastic bag. Use within 5 days.

Butternut Squash – CD. Can last up to 1-3 months.

Cabbage—CR, A. Use within 3 weeks.

Carrots– CR. Cut off leafy tops and store in an airtight container use within 3 days. Use carrots within 5-6 days.

Cauliflower– CR. Wrap loosely in a plastic or paper bag, store with stem downward. Use within 4-5 days.

Chayote – CR. Can keep up to 1 week but we recommend using within 4-5 days.

Celery – CR.  Wrap in aluminum foil. Use within 1 week.

Creamer Peas – Refrigerate in the bag they arrive in. Use within 1-2 days. They also freeze well in the bags they arrive in.

Cucumbers/Cucamelon – CR or CD. The optimal temperature is 50F, but you can keep them in your refrigerator if you plan on using them quickly. Use within 3-6 days.

Curly Endive – CR, A. Wrap in a slightly damp towel and in an airtight container. Use within 3 days.

Eggplant – CD or Refrigerator. If storing outside of the refrigerator, use within 1-2 days. Will store up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. The sooner you use, the less bitter it will be.

Eureka Persimmons –CO. Allow to continue ripening until extremely soft (feels like an overripe tomato). Eat as soon as it’s ripe.

Fennel – CR, A. Separate frond, stalks, and bulb. Place each in an airtight container in the crisper. Use within 3 days for best flavor.

Figs – Keep cool (CD if you keep your house below 75F, refrigerate if not) and dry (storing with a paper towel is helpful). Use within 3 days but within 1-2 days is ideal.

Fresh Pinto Beans – Refrigerate in the bag they arrive in. Use within 1-2 days. They also freeze well in the bags they arrive in.

Fresh Purple Hull Peas – Refrigerate in the bag they arrive in. Use within 1-2 days. They also freeze well in the bags they arrive in.

Grapefruit – CO. Use within 5 days.

Green Beans – CR. Store in the bag they arrive in. Use within 1 week.

Greens (Collards or Kale) – CR. Use within 3-4 days or store in an airtight container to keep up to 4-7 days

Green Garlic – CR, A. Wrap in a damp paper towel and in an airtight container. Use within 5-7 days.

Green Onion – Remove any rubber bands, place in a jar, root side down, cover with a plastic bag. Replace water every few days. Use within 1 week.

Jalapeno Peppers – CR. Store in the paper bag they arrive in. Use within a week.

Jicama – CD. Store uncut in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Use within 2-3 weeks

Kale – CR. Use within 3-4 days or store in an airtight container to keep up to 4-7 days

Kohlrabi – CR, A. Separate leaves. Wrap leaves in damp paper towel and store in a plastic bag. Store bulb in separate plastic bag. Use within 1 week.

Leeks – CR. Wrap loosely in a plastic bag, unwashed. Use within 7 days.

Lettuce – CR, A (optional). Remove the root ball (if attached) and wrap the head in a damp paper towel. Use within 5 days.

Malabar Spinach – CR. Wrap in a damp paper towel. Use within 5-7 days.

Mangoes – CO. Eat or store in fridge (wrapped in plastic bag) within 1-3 days once ripe.

Mizuna—CR, A. Wrap in a paper towel and store in a plastic bag. Use within 5 days.

Melon – CD or Refrigerator. Will keep in refrigerator for approximately 5 days. You can also cut into cubes and freeze.

Mushrooms – Refrigerate, keep in the paper bag in which they arrive. Use within 5-7 days.

Okra – Refrigerator. Can keep up to 1 week but we recommend using within 4-5 days.

Onions – CD. Store whole onions in a cool, dry, dark place with good ventilation, away from potatoes (which absorb the onions’ moisture). Always refrigerate cut onions.

Parsnips – CR, A. Remove tops first. Use within 3 weeks.

Peaches (Clingstone) – CO. Eat within 1-3 days once ripe.

Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes – CD. Always separate from onions (they cause potatoes to decay quickly)and store away from direct light. Use within 1-2 weeks.

Pumpkin – CD. We recommend using within 1-3 months.

Radicchio – CR, A. First wrap in a paper towel. Use within 2-3 days.

Radishes – CR. Separate greens from radishes. Store greens in an airtight container. Use radishes within 1 week.

Rutabaga – A. Refrigerate, use within 2-3 weeks.

Satsumas–CO. Use within 5 days.

Shallots – CD. Store in a manner similar to onions and garlic. Can last up to 1-2 months.

Shishito Peppers – Refrigerate in a paper or plastic bag in the least cool part of your fridge. Use within 2 weeks

Sorrel – CR, A. Rinse, pat dry, and roll in a dry paper towel. Store in an airtight container. Use within 4-5 days.

Spaghetti Squash – CD. We recommend using within 4-5 weeks.

Spinach—CR, A. Use within 3-5 days.

Strawberries – CO if eating the same day. Otherwise, store in CR unwashed.

Sugar Snap Peas – CR. Store in the bag in which they arrive. Use within 5 days (the sooner the better).

Sweet Corn – CR. Use within 2-4 days. The fresher it is, the sweeter it is.

Sweet Peppers – CR. Use within 1 week.

Sweet Potato Greens – CR, A. Trim stems. Store in an airtight container. If sealed, will last up to 10 days

Swiss Chard– CR. Do not wash before storing. Use within 3-4 days or store in an airtight container

to keep up to 4-7 days

Summer Squash – CR. Can keep up to 1 week but we recommend using within 4-5 days.

Tomatoes– CO. If already ripe, use within 1-3 days. If not yet ripe, use within 3-4 days. You can also freeze whole tomatoes to cook with later.

Turnip Greens—CR, A. Wrap in a paper towel and store in a plastic bag. Use within 5 days.

Turnips– CR, A. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If sealed, will last 1-2 weeks.