Mindful Grocery Shopping Tips For Fresh Produce Longevity

Grocery Shopping Smarter: How to Make Your Food Last Longer

Sundays are my day for cleaning and reset for the week... and I will be honest, my fridge needed some self care. One thing I am trying to do is get rid of my plastic containers and store fresh produce and food in glass containers because I've noticed it preserves the produce longer. So that brings up the point of a few mindful grocery shopping and storage tips can help your food last longer and save you money in the process.

First things first, it helps to know that some foods are a little dramatic behind the scenes. I was scrolling on social media where I found out that maybe storing produce is a little more complicated than just washing them and storing them in the fridge. Certain fruits actually release gases or moisture that make nearby foods spoil faster, lose flavor, or change texture. Knowing what NOT to store together can seriously extend the life of your groceries.

Getty Images

What Fruits Release Gas

Take fruits like apples, bananas, and avocados. These guys release something called ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. That’s great if you want a ripe avocado today but not so great if they’re sitting next to leafy greens, carrots, or broccoli. Those veggies will wilt and spoil much faster when exposed to that gas.

Another pairing to avoid? Potatoes and onions. (This is something I am guilty of). Even though we all tend to store them together, onions release moisture and gases that cause potatoes to sprout and rot more quickly. Keeping them in separate, cool, dry places can add days — sometimes weeks — to their life.

Getty Images

Bread is another one to watch. Storing bread near fruit can lead to mold forming faster thanks to moisture and ethylene gas. And if you’ve ever had butter that tasted a little… oniony, that’s why strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic should be kept away from dairy products like butter and milk.

It might seem like small stuff, but separating certain foods can make a big difference. Less food waste, fewer grocery runs, and more money staying in your wallet and I consider that smart and savory grocery shopping!