Reduce Food Waste With Produce That Lasts Longer

If you’ve ever gone to the grocery store and stocked up on all the sale fruits and veggies but didn’t get around to enjoying them before they went bad, you’re going to want in on these tips. 

 

I’m sharing my top five picks for produce to keep on hand when I know I won’t be getting around to enjoying them right away. Plus, I’m breaking down some tips to keep your produce as fresh as possible. 

Get ready to make the most of your next grocery trip, all while cutting back on food waste. 

 

The Top 5 Produce With a Longer Lasting Shelf Life 

 

#1 Apples 

One of nature’s sweetest fruits, apples are great to keep on hand and stock up on when you find a good sale. To help boost shelf life, keep them stored in the crisper drawer in your fridge. 

 

Tip: Keep them away from other produce you have in the fridge as they release ethylene gas (a plant hormone) that can cause other fruits and veggies to spoil. 

 

With proper storage, you can expect apples to keep in the fridge for 1-2 months

 

#2 Bell Peppers 

Adding bell peppers to your diet is a wonderful way to pack in a hefty dose of vitamin C and give your immune system a boost! They also happen to keep well when stored in the fridge. Place them in the crisper drawer and they should keep for about 1-2 weeks!

 

Tip: While whole bell peppers store well, it’s best to consume sliced bell peppers right away. 

 

#3 Garlic 

Garlic not only adds a flavorful punch to many of your favorite recipes, but it also comes with a host of health benefits. From keeping the immune system healthy to supporting cardiovascular health, adding garlic to your recipes is always a good idea! 

 

And, the good news is that garlic lasts a long time. A whole garlic bulb will last 3-5 months in the pantry and 10-12 months in the freezer! 

 

Tip: You’ll want to store the whole garlic bulb in a cool, dry place. Once you break the whole garlic bulb, it’s best used within 7-10 days

 

#4 Beets 

This root veggie is loaded with nutritional value and packs in lots of fiber and vitamin C. They can be used in salads or added to homemade veggie burgers. You can store them in the fridge for about two weeks

 

Tip: Trim the tops of the beets and store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. It’s also best not to wash the beets until you are ready to enjoy them. 

 

#5 Sweet Potatoes 

From homemade sweet potatoes fries to adding cooked sweet potatoes to a smoothie, there are so many ways to enjoy this highly nutritious veggie. Another great thing about this root vegetable is that you can store them for 1-2 weeks at room temperature in your pantry, so you don’t have to rush to use them after your grocery run. 

 

Tip: Store sweet potatoes in a basket in a dry and dark area in your pantry. 

Keep Your Kitchen Stocked With Foods That Last 

 

Whether you can’t find frozen fruits and veggies at the store or prefer to enjoy produce fresh, keep your kitchen stocked with the nutritious foods that last. 

 

With a longer shelf-life also comes a better chance that you’ll be able to experiment with them in numerous recipes you make throughout the week — hello food variety!

 

So, keep these stocked to cut back on food waste and nourish your body one healthy food at a time. 

You may also be interested in: 

Show Yourself & The Planet Some Love With These 3 Hacks to Reduce Food Waste

7 Fresh Foods You Can Freeze Before They Spoil