Fruits and vegetables can be a delicious and nutritious part of our diets, so it behooves us to store them properly so that we can indulge at the height of their freshness. Here are some tips that may help…

Believe it or not, certain fruits, like apples and bananas, emit gasses which can cause other produce, including lettuce, broccoli and cabbage, to deteriorate more quickly. It’s best to keep these items separate.

And while apples and pears fare marvelously, remaining deliciously crisp in the refrigerator, mangoes should be stored at room temperature until consumed. Your citrus can be placed on the counter until eaten or stored loose in the refrigerator for longer storage.

Most refrigerated produce remains fresh longer when sealed in an air-tight container to retain moisture and help prevent dehydration. However, you should know that while keeping your produce fresher longer, refrigeration can rob certain produce – like tomatoes – of taste. Tomatoes are the tastiest when counter-kept out of direct sunlight.

Don’t refrigerate potatoes. They should be stored in a dark, cool place with circulation and kept separate from those gas producing veggies like onions. Keep them away from heat producing appliances as well. An air conditioned pantry is ideal. A not quite so fuss root vegetable is the carrot, which can be refrigerated and stored by your leafy greens. Also, don’t wash your leafy greens before refrigerating, as excess moisture can cause quicker decay.

Additionally, the timing of produce harvesting plays a very important role in its freshness, so you want to be sure you purchase your produce from a reputable market like Perrine’s Produce.