How to Store Fruit and Vegetables Properly

Have you ever wondered how much waste is created by households in Australia due to food spoilage? According to OzHarvest, over 30% of the food is thrown away due to its spoilage without storing properly, which causes 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is important to minimise food waste and properly store fruits and vegetables.

The Australian favourite fruits are apples, avocado, and bananas, while broccoli, lettuce, and onion are the most consumed vegetables, according to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

So, how can you store fruits and vegetables properly?

Fruits:

Apples:  It is highly recommended to consume within 2 weeks or more. If the apples are in good condition without any damage, store them at room temperature. After ripe, refrigerate in the crisper drawer as the best option, or else in a container or sealed bag. In the fridge, separate the apples due to fumed ethylene gas.

Avocado: It is recommended to consume within 3-5 days for its best conditions. Avocado should be kept in dry area in room temperature. It normally takes 4-7 days to get ripe. Once ripe, store in the refrigerator with a sealed bag or container.

Banana: It is recommended to consume within 5-7 days until it gets ripened, which takes around 2-5 days. Once it’s yellow, put it inside the fridge and consume it within 5 days.

Vegetables:

Broccoli: It is highly recommended that you consume it within 4 weeks. Put the broccoli into the fridge immediately to keep it fresh. It can be stored in cloth bag, paper, or plastic without getting any moistures on. When keeping in the fridge with freshness, it is best to arrange stems in a glass of water. However, once sliced down into small pieces, the broccoli will only last 1-2 days in the fridge.

Lettuce:  You can wrap lettuce in aluminium foil and keep it in the refrigerator. To consume, wash down the lettuce properly and dry it with a paper towel to remove moisture before eating.

Onion: It is highly recommended to consume within 1 month. Keep it in a web bag and store it in a dry and cool area, such as a cupboard with continuous air circulation.

In conclusion, it is essential to properly store fruits and vegetables to minimise food waste and to positively impact environmental sustainability in Australia. 

By applying these suggested storage practices, each household can maintain freshness with enhanced meal quality, decrease spoilage, and contribute to eco-friendly sustainability.