Do’s and Don’ts for Buying and Storing Fresh Produce

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Fresh produce offers nutrition not found anywhere else. But keep in mind that fresh produce was once part of a living organism, and living organisms tend to attract and be surrounded by other living organisms, and not all living organisms are friendly to our health.

Thankfully, there are some strategies to employ that will help keep our experience of enjoying fresh produce a healthy one. When shopping at stores or farmers’ markets, remember to:

• Keep raw meat separate from other foods. Sometimes packages will leak and the meat juices may cross contaminate ready to eat items like fresh produce. Also, make your meat and dairy selections last, if possible. While not conducive to most store layouts, gather unperishable items (canned goods, cereals, nuts, anything in a box in the middle of the store) first, then produce, then meat, then dairy, and save frozen items for last and always make sure they’re sitting close to dairy products as an extra cushion of coldness.
• Make the store/market your last stop. Don’t stock up on groceries then run errands afterwards. There’s a chance your food could spoil (especially in hot weather) or lessen in quality.
• If your drive home from the store/market takes longer than an hour, use a cooler/insulated -bags to keep the food fresh and safe.
• Before consuming ANY produce, it’s important to thoroughly wash the items under hot running water even if you are not eating the peel as dirt can transfer from the outside to inside. It’s not necessary to wash with soap or special commercial produce washes; clean running water is enough. Clean scrub brushes are helpful when washing tough or dimpled skinned produce like potatoes and melons.
• When you get home from the grocery/market, make sure to store your produce properly to maintain its quality and safety. See the chart below for storage guides.

Storage Location	Fruits and Melons	Vegetables
Store in refrigerator (<40°F) *Keep in moisture-proof bags with a few homes to retain moisture while allowing for air flow to prevent condensation.	Apples (>7 days) Apricots Berries Cherries Cut fruits Grapes (Any fruit that has been peeled or cut open)	Herbs Carrots Mushrooms Cauliflower Green Beans Cut Veggies Beets Leafy Greens Broccoli Summer Squash Cabbage Sweet Corn (Any veggie that has been peeled or cut open)
Ripen on the counter, then store in refrigerator	Avocados Peaches Pears
Store at room temperature	Apples (<7 days) Bananas Citrus fruits Muskmelon Watermelon	Basil (in water) Peppers (can be refrigerated) Cucumbers (can be refrigerated) Dry Onions (in well-ventilated area) Pumpkins Eggplant (can be refrigerated) Potatoes (in well-ventilated area) Sweet Potatoes (in well-ventilated area) Garlic (in well-ventilated area) Tomatoes Winter Squash

When possible, make an effort to shop at farmers’ markets as they are an excellent opportunity to visit with local farmers and learn more about your food. But do be aware that farmers’ markets should be displaying good food safety practices to ensure that the products’ quality and safeness are maintained.

Here are some things to look for:

Food Type/Category	What to Look For
Fresh Produce	Clean, looks fresh, no cuts or nicks
Cut or Peeled Produce	Surrounded by ice and looks fresh and cold
Meats, Eggs, Cheeses	Product is in cooler or on ice
Milk	Must be pasteurized (KS/MO regulation)
Juice, Cider	Pasteurized is safest
Hot prepared foods	Vendor should be using thermometer and lids on pots/pans and should see steam rising from pots/pans
Home-canned Foods	Ask how it was prepared and handled
Booth, Personal Cleanliness	Vendors have clean clothes, hands, maintain good personal hygiene (not wiping nose, playing with hair, etc.)
All Products	Ask vendors about their food safety practices

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Family and Consumer Sciences Agent