Nobody ever WANTS to find slimy spinach or moldy fruit in the back of the fridge.
You meant to use it. We know. You wanted to use it. Of course. But somehow, it wilted before you even had the chance. You're not alone—these exact kinds of challenges are why we designed Food Huggers. We've been there.
The truth is, fresh produce doesn’t come with a user manual. Maybe it should? (If you like to see us write some, pls let us know in the comments. Storing fruits and vegetables the way each of them needs makes a big difference. Less waste. More flavor. And fewer guilt trips over the wilted cilantro that cost serious money and is now past its prime.
This guide is here to help. No judgment. Just straightforward tips that make it easier to enjoy what you’ve already bought—and save it from the compost bin. (If you don't have a compost bin, we'll cover that top tip in another post)
Why Proper Produce Storage Matters
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Your food lasts longer when you store it the right way. You'll get more time to use things and there will be fewer frustrating fridge clean-outs.
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It saves money. Tossing less = stretching your grocery budget further. The stats on the $$$ that gets thrown away as wasted food are seriously shocking.
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It reduces waste. Not just in your kitchen, but also all the energy and water it took to grow, harvest, and ship that food.
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Your meals taste better. Freshness = flavor. And properly stored produce keeps its taste (and nutrients) longer.
The Basics: What Impacts Produce Freshness
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Temperature: Some things love the cold (hey there, lettuce). Others hate it (looking at you, tomatoes).
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Humidity: Your crisper drawer exists for a reason. Use it!
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Ethylene gas: Some fruits (like bananas and apples) give off a natural gas that makes other things ripen faster. Store these away from more delicate items like leafy greens.
How to Store Common Fruits
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Apples: Fridge, in a breathable bag or the crisper drawer. Away from leafy greens.
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Citrus: Counter for up to a week. Longer? Pop them in the fridge.
- Avocados: Obviously this one is near and dear to our hearts. Counter to ripen. Once soft near the stem, move to the fridge to slow things down. Cut halves? Keep the pit in, cover with an Avocado Hugger, and refrigerate.
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Berries: Super perishable. Keep dry in a single layer and don’t wash until right before eating. Tip: Consider frozen if that works for what you want.
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Bananas: Counter only. Keep away from other produce or they will speed up the ripening of other fruits. Cover the top of the bunch to help them last longer also.
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Grapes: In the fridge, unwashed, in a breathable container. (basket or fabric bag)
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Stone fruits (peaches, plums): Let ripen on the counter, then refrigerate. Though honestly once these fruits hit their point of ripeness, I find them hard to resist and tend to pounce on them!
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Melons and pineapples: Whole = counter. Cut = airtight container in fridge.
How to Store Common Vegetables
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Leafy greens: Wash, dry, and wrap in a cloth or breathable bag. Also great is to store in a large glass container lined with a damp towel. Then store in crisper drawer.
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Root veggies (carrots, beets): Cut off greens. Store in fridge in damp cloth or bag. NOTE: If they get that weird spongy kinda feeling you can bring them back to life with a soak in cold water.
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Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts: In fridge, unwashed.
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Tomatoes: Always room temp. Fridge makes them mushy and bland.
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Peppers: Fridge. Freeze chopped if they’re getting soft.
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Onions, garlic, potatoes: Cool, dry, dark spot. Don’t store in plastic. Keep them separate.
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Fresh herbs: Trim ends. Place in a jar with a bit of water in the bottom, like flowers in a vase. Cover loosely and refrigerate.
Make It Easier on Yourself: Eco-Friendly Food Huggers Tools That Help
You don’t need to overhaul your kitchen. Just a few small changes can go a long way:
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Food Huggers®: Silicone covers that hug leftover fruits and veggies (no plastic wrap needed!)
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Avocado Huggers®: Designed specifically for cut avocados—these snug silicone covers protect the exposed half, slow browning, and save that “I’ll use it later” avocado for when you actually do. (But don't wait too long. Avocados are notoriously tricky. If in doubt you can also throw your "hugged" avocado half in the freezer for extra milage if you're not sure when you'll want it.
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Hugger Bags: Resealable silicone bags that replace disposable and single use plastic zipper bags. These also make a great cover or "tent" over those fresh herbs.
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Silicone Glass Bowl Lids: Stretchy silicone lids for bowls, cups, and containers of all shapes. Bonus that these help you keep the fridge under control by making your fave bowls into stacking storage perfectly
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Sprout Huggers: Turn old jars into mini sprout gardens (super satisfying, zero waste)
The Real Win: Less Waste, More Joy
This isn’t about being perfect. Even though I spend mountains of time thinking about food freshness as a living every week, I still have missteps. We just wanna make it a bit easier for you to enjoy the food you buy—and waste less of it. With just a few small tweaks, you can get more out of your groceries, save some money, and feel good about the way your kitchen runs.
Want some help? Food Huggers is all about small wins that add up.
Come hang out with us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for more no-pressure tips, product demos, and ideas that make sustainable living feel easy, not overwhelming.