Last Updated on April 4, 2020 by Ellen Christian
Have you ever wondered how to reduce produce waste? I can’t be the only one that has gone to the store and loaded up on fresh produce only to find half of it spoiled two days later. With the price of organic produce, I needed to find a way to stop this from happening. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
You may also like:
How to Reduce Produce Waste
Depending on the time of the year, I may get produce from the grocery store, the farm stand or our garden. Either way, I want it to stay fresh and last as long as possible. Here are a few tips that are working for me.
Look before you buy
Before you buy the berries, ears of corn or bag of apples, look at what you’re buying. Inspect the produce for bruises, tears or soft fruit. Damaged produce will cause the rest of the produce in the container to go bad faster.
Buy what you will use
A three pound box of fresh peppers may cost less per pound than the one pound box. But, if you’ll only use one pound and the other two go to waste, you haven’t saved any money. Buy what you’ll use so you don’t waste any unless you remember this next tip.
Freeze the excess
If you do find a particularly great deal on produce, make sure that you keep what you’ll use out. Then, freeze the rest before it starts to go soft. Then, you’ll be able to enjoy it long after the season is over.
Keep it fresh
Once you bring your produce home, make sure that you keep it fresh. Not all produce needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Some produce does best on the counter (like bananas and citrus fruit). Some should be refrigerated to keep it at it’s best (like grapes and fresh greens).
Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers will help ensure your produce stays good for as long as possible. The FreshVent Lid naturally regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide to create the optimal environment so your produce stays farm fresh. The CrispTray elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help prevent spoilage. The lid filter lasts a lifetime, no replacements needed.
As a result of throwing away fresh produce, Americans waste $24 billion worth of produce every year, which is the equivalent of $192 per household.** If only they had read these tips on how to keep produce fresh.
There are three different sizes of Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers so you’ll have the perfect size for everything from your blueberries to your fresh lettuce: small (2.5 cups), medium (6.3 cups), and large (17.3 cups). Of course, they are BPA free and dishwasher safe.
I normally just keep my produce in the container it comes from the grocery store in, and I do notice that it goes bad relatively quickly. After using the Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers after last week’s grocery shopping trip, I was thrilled to see that my produce really did stay fresh longer. That means I can make more of my favorite vegetable recipes without wasting produce.
For more information about these amazing containers, visit Rubbermaid.com.
One of my readers will win a 3 piece set of Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers like the ones I featured above.
*Based on strawberries in FreshWorks™ containers vs. store packaging. Results may vary depending upon produce and use.
** Source: USDA 2014
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
I learn that those help you keep your products 80% longer!! Also American waste %24 billion of products each year!!!
I learned that Americans throw away $24 billion worth of produce each year.
I learned that they keep products about 80% longer than normal!
Americans waste 23 billion pounds of fresh produce each year. That’s a lot!
FreshVent™ Lid contains revolutionary membrane
that naturally regulates the flow of Oxygen and Carbon
Dioxide to create the optimal environment so your
produce stays farm fresh.
I learned the Large
container is 17.3 cups
and optimal for
leafy greens
. 🙂
it keeps produce fresher 80% longer.
I learned that it has a fresh vent membrane which never has to be removed or replaced
I learned Condensation inside
means the product
is working.
I learned that all of the FreshWorks products are BPA free!
I had no idea we waste so much produce here!
These seem and look like such great containers. On the website I learned that Americans throw away
$24 billion worth of produce
each year. .. that amount of money and waste is insane!
I hate having produce spoil before I get to use it. These help keep your produce fresher 80% longer which is a blessing!
I love that it keeps produce fresh for a longer time. I am wondering how it would keep avocado. They are my frenemy…. also, salad greens never seem to stay as crisp. I like the large size for salad greens.
I learned that they keep your produce fresh up to 80 percent longer
I learned that the FreshWorks™ containers are BPA-free and made with non-toxic plastics.
Something I learned and liked – FreshWorks can keep your produce up to 80% longer.
thank you
that the condensation inside of the bowls means the product is working.
I love how the fresh vent technology keeps produce fresh 80% longer than without it!
I learned that the CrispTray keeps produce lifted above any moisture to prevent rotting.
I learned that when there’s condensation inside it means the product is working
I learned that they are easily stackable!
I learned they keep produce fresh up to 80% longer.
FreshWorks™ containers are BPA-free and made with non-toxic plastics.
Americans waste 187 pounds of fresh produce a year.
I learned that the FreshWorks containers are BPA-free and made with non-toxic plastics!
So interesting – This says not to wash or cut
produce before placing into
FreshWorks™ container! I always do that…
I learned that FreshVent™ membrane never needs to be removed or replaced. Also no BPA, love that!
Wow – I didn’t realize that households on average waste 187 pounds of produce per year.
I learned that Americans waste 23 billion pounds of fresh produce each year because it spoils.
I learned that the CrispTray™ elevates produce away from moisture
and promotes proper airflow to help prevent
spoilage.
We absolutely love your post! The vegetable recipes look so delicious!
Thank you so much!
I learned that FreshWorks™ containers are BPA-free and made with non-toxic plastics!! That is so wonderful! I always worry when I heat things up in the microwave.
I learned that the condensation on the inside means the containers are working. I have some green boxes (As Seen on TV brand) and always wiped off the condensation. I thought it would make the produce soggy. I really like the Rubbermade brand and these look sturdy. A few of my green box lids have cracks in them and should be replaced.
I learned they keep produce fresh up to 80% longer.
I learned that Americans throw away $24 billion worth of produce each year.
I learned that the unique design of this container creates the optimal environment to keep produce fresh.
The FreshVent Lid would keep my veggies fresh. I’d like to try Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers.
I learned not to wash my veggies when I put them in the Freshworks containers.
FreshWorks™ containers
are BPA-free and made
with non-toxic plastics.
technology keeps your produce fresh
up to 80% longer.
These are great tips. I really like the Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers. I love that they are BPA -free. Thanks!
I learned that you shouldn’t wash or cut the produce before placing into the FreshWorks container.
It keeps things fresh 80 percent longer than any other!
I learned that the FreshWorks containers are BPA-free and made with non-toxic plastics.