How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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.

How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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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.

How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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.

How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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.

How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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.

How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer

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

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46 thoughts on “How to Reduce Produce Waste and Make it Last Longer”

  1. I learn that those help you keep your products 80% longer!! Also American waste %24 billion of products each year!!!
    Reply
  2. 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.
    Reply
  3. 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!
    Reply
  4. I hate having produce spoil before I get to use it. These help keep your produce fresher 80% longer which is a blessing!
    Reply
  5. 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.
    Reply
  6. I learned that the CrispTray™ elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help prevent spoilage.
    Reply
  7. 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.
    Reply
  8. 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.
    Reply
  9. These are great tips. I really like the Rubbermaid FreshWorks containers. I love that they are BPA -free. Thanks!
    Reply

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