RESEARCH &
EDUCATION
CENTERS (REC)
Fruit/Vegetable | Storage Method & Time | Tips |
Berries (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) | Refrigerator crisper: 2-3 days | Remove any spoiled or crushed berries before storing. Store unwashed in plastic bags or containers. Don’t remove green tops from strawberries before storing. Wash gently under cool running water before eating. |
Melons (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe) | Store uncut melons at room temperature Refrigerator: 3-4 days for cut melon | For best flavor, store melons at room temperature until ripe. Store ripe, cut melon covered in the refrigerator. Wash rind thoroughly before cutting (preferably use a scrubbing brush to wash rind). |
Peaches, pears, nectarines | Refrigerator crisper: 5 days | Ripen the fruit at room temperature, and then refrigerate in plastic bags. Wash before eating. |
Apricots, cherries, plums | Refrigerator in perforated plastic bag: 1 week | Refrigerate in plastic bag. Wash well before eating. |
Tomatoes | Store at room temperature | To ripen quickly, store in paper bag at room temperature. Once ripe, there is no need to refrigerate, once refrigerated they will lose flavor and become overly soft. |
Salad Greens (lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, collards) | Refrigerator; loosely packed in perforated plastic bag for 2-4 days | Refrigerate immediately after harvest, store unwashed. Wash thoroughly before eating. |
Beets, carrots, parsnips, radish, turnips | Refrigerator crisper: 1-2 weeks | Remove green tops and store in plastic bags. Trim taproots from radishes before storing. Wash before eating. |
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Refrigerator in perforated plastic bag: 3-6 days | Remove outer leaves from cabbage before storing. Wash before eating. |
Potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions (red, white, yellow) | Room temperature: 2-4 weeks | Store in cool, dry, well ventilated area away from light. Scrub well before cooking. |
Bell peppers | Refrigerator up to 5 days | Store in a plastic bag and rinse before eating. |
Winter squash | Room temperature up to 3 months | Length of time a winter squash can be stored at room temperature depends on the size and variety. Store in a cool, dark place. |
Pumpkin | Up to 1 month at room temperature | Scrub or wash the outside of the pumpkin before cutting. |