As we embrace the abundance of fresh Australian produce, especially with spring’s arrival bringing in favourites like asparagus, strawberries, and leafy greens, it’s important to know how to keep your fruits and veggies fresher for longer.
Whether you're building your own box of seasonal produce or stocking up on your weekly essentials, these tips will help you extend the shelf life of your produce.
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Store in the Right Spot
Some fruits and vegetables thrive at room temperature, like tomatoes, potatoes, and bananas, while leafy greens and berries need the cool environment of your fridge. Knowing where to store your produce is key to keeping them fresh. -
Use Airtight Containers
For items like lettuce or herbs, use airtight kitchen containers or wrap them in damp paper towels to maintain the right moisture levels and prevent wilting. -
Keep Ethylene-Producing Produce Separate
Some of the fruits in our Farmers Choice Fruit Box, like apples, avocados, bananas, kiwifruit, peaches, pears and plums, produce ethylene gas. This gas can speed up the ripening process of other fruits and veggies. Keep these separate from other fruits and veggies to prevent early spoilage.
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Freeze What You Won’t Use Right Away
Fact: Every year, Australia produces 7.6 million tonnes of food waste. If you have produce that you won't eat in time, you can freeze it! Prepping and blanching vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and leafy greens before freezing helps them maintain their quality. -
Don’t Wash Until You're Ready to Use
Washing produce before storing it introduces moisture, which can lead to mould. Only wash your fruits and veggies when you’re ready to eat them.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the fresh, seasonal Australian produce in your Farmers Choice Veggie Box for longer. You're also doing your part to reduce the amount of food waste your family produces!