Do You Know the Shelf Life of Your Fruits and Vegetables?

In spring and summer we tend to buy more fresh produce than at any other time during the year. It's a good idea to know approximately how long the fresh stuff will last. Plan your trip to the grocery or farmer's market so that your foods are at the peak of freshness when you plan to prepare them, then you're not throwing away your produce.

Did you know according to The Natural Resources Defense Council "American families throw out approximately 25 percent of the food and beverages they buy. The cost estimate for the average family of four is $1,365 to $2,275 annually."

Once you've brought it home and stored it properly, you can prioritize your produce. First, eat the things that will spoil quickly, such as lettuce and berries. Save the longer-lasting foods (like eggplant and oranges) for later in the week.

Plan Meals and Grocery Trips Using this Time Table:

** Artichokes, Asparagus, Bananas, Basil, Broccoli, Cherries, Corn, Dill, Green beans, Mushrooms, Strawberries and Watercress will last 1 to 2 days when stored properly.

** Arugula, Avocados, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Grapes, Lettuce, Limes, Pineapple, and Zucchini will last 2 to 4 days.

** Apricots, Blueberries, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Grapefruit, Leeks, Lemons, Oranges, Oregano, Parsley, Peaches, Pears, Peppers, Plums, Spinach, Tomatoes, Watermelon will last 4 to 6 days when stored properly.

** Apples, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Garlic, Hard Squash, Onions and Potatoes will last 7+ days when you store them properly.

How should you store your fruits and vegetables? Go to this link for more information and tips on how to properly store your produce:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1103